Azrieli College’s Startup Goldmine
Enter the Entrepreneurs
“Two engineers enter with an idea. They end in six months with a minimum viable product, a business plan, and connections to potential investors.” This is the mantra of the AtoBe Accelerator in the Azrieli College of Engineering in Jerusalem, according to Lily Pergamenikov, Project Manager of the accelerator.
The Unique Element
The accelerator, one of several in Jerusalem, is unique in that it caters exclusively to engineering related startups. It runs workshop programs with over 100 mentors who are experts in their respective fields, be it legal, fiscal, mechanical, or technical. The startups in the program have the full resources of the College at their disposal — the startups are able to attend classes, use laboratories, utilize pharmaceutical factories, and even access wind tunnels, should they so desire. The Azrieli College gives fourth-year students academic credit for working with startup companies in the accelerator. Companies in the program also have access to top-notch Professors in the College who can provide counsel and guidance throughout the product development process. According to Director Michael Mizrahi, the resources of the AtoBe accelerator and Azrieli are hard to match, and provide immense support for startup companies.
Having just wrapped up their fourth accelerator round and preparing to begin their fifth, AtoBe is still bustling with activity, with eight different startups working out of the collaborative workspace.
Startup Corner
Have a look at just a few of the exciting companies that have come out of the AtoBe Accelerator:
SmartContainer
Just having finished the most recent accelerator round, this startup has developed a management system to take real-time inventory of products. Usable in companies ranging from car manufacturers to falafel salesmen, this tech uses weight sensors to give the user an accurate gauge of inventory. SmartContainer just received a 10,000 shekel prize from the accelerator, sponsored by Bank Hapoalim, for its exceptional engagement in the accelerator’s programing over the last cycle.
Airscort
Today’s drones have immense capabilities and potential to influence agricultural methods. But drones have a problem: battery life. Airscort has made an innovative solution: a docking station that can charge drones in the field automatically. Azrieli Professor Haytam Kasam provided special assistance to this company, serving as a faculty advisor for the project.
Tamaringa
The engineers in this company have programed an algorithm to stimulate brain cell activity in patients with Alzheimer’s disease by playing music that was popular in that person’s youth. The company has specifically received assistance from faculty advisor Dr. Miriam Allalouf.
Novalka
A pharm-tech company that developed a slow release polymer that can be applied to many medical treatments. Using the slow release polymer could reduce specific patients needs to remain in hospitals during treatments. The entire pharmaceutical product was developed in-house at AtoBe.
Check-In
This app is the future of hotel services, with features from ordering various services, to opening hotel doors via smartphone. A beta program is currently being tested in the Arcadia hotel, soon to be tested in hotels throughout Europe.
Stickbox
Solving the selfie-stick dilemma, this company has made a phone case that transforms into a selfie-stick on demand.
Greenbin
A pioneer in waste management, Greenbin has created an algorithm that plans the most efficient routes for garbage trucks going around various cities, which could drastically reduce pollution emitted from inefficient truck usage.
Only the Beginning
The companies listed above are only a few of many startups that have passed through AtoBe accelerator. A sentence per company hardly does justice to the innovation coming from the creative entrepreneurs.
The AtoBe accelerator, a unique program dedicated to engineering startups, is only one of many resources available in Jerusalem for startup companies. It is partly funded by Jerusalem Development Authority.
Jerusalem is rapidly becoming a new hub for many startup companies, incubators, and accelerators, attracting international attention from both entrepreneurs and investors.
To see in-depth descriptions of the companies from the most recent accelerator round, be sure to check out the following link: AtoBe Round 4
