July 27, 2020 (Jerusalem) – With an audience gathered remotely across Israel, the US, and seven countries around the world, MassChallenge Israel, part of MassChallenge’s global network of zero-equity startup accelerators, tonight announced the top nine startups of its 2020 accelerator. The top startups will now compete for 500,000 NIS in zero-equity cash prizes in September 2020, and will participate in a MassChallenge Israel Roadshow to New York and Boston in early 2021. Mayor Moshe Lion, Mayor of Jerusalem, MK Rafael Peretz, Minister of Jerusalem and Heritage, and MassChallenge CEO Siobhan Dullea shared remarks during a virtual MassChallenge Israel 2020 Finale.
“MassChallenge is one of the world’s leading and most important startup accelerators,” said Mayor Moshe Lion, Mayor of Jerusalem. “MassChallenge is a catalyst for economic growth and has a significant impact on the community here in the city of Jerusalem creating thousands of jobs in the city and bridging together the best universities, hospitals and research centers. Entrepreneurs are building a better future for Jerusalem and the entire world.”
“Never has the world been more interconnected: together we experience global health and economic challenges, and together we will build towards our recovery. 2020 was a watershed year for MassChallenge Israel. We launched our accelerator program online for the first time, connecting startups, corporate leaders, investors and experts from all around the world,” said Yonit Serkin, Managing Director of MassChallenge Israel. “Congratulations to the winning MassChallenge Israel startups – we are proud to be part of your journey to create new opportunities throughout the world and honored to have the entire 2020 MassChallenge Israel cohort as part of our community.”
The 42 startups in the 2020 MassChallenge Israel cohort were selected from a pool of nearly 400 applicants from 36 countries around the world. Since April, the 2020 cohort has participated in over 160 workshops lead by nearly 300 Israeli and International experts and mentors.
Throughout the three-and-a-half month accelerator, the startups have also had opportunities to connect with corporate partners and investors to refine and grow their businesses. The entire 2020 MassChallenge Israel cohort now joins the MassChallenge global community – a network of alumni, experts, and partners around the world.
2020 MASSCHALLENGE ISRAEL WINNERS
Brevel: Brevel is solving global food security by unleashing the true potential of microalgae using groundbreaking sustainable cultivation technology.
Castory: CaStory helps construction contractors build better, by eliminating construction errors.
DriftSense: DriftSense monitors and identifies pesticides drift, and models its dispersion, enabling growers to comply with relevant regulations, reduce costs, and maximize yield.
Gina-Life Diagnostics: Gina-Life Diagnostics is developing a home-use, smart diagnostic test for ovarian cancer.
Levitection: Levitection is developing a breakthrough security platform with automatic screening capabilities for open public spaces.
PainPal: PainPal is an on-demand and personalized telebehavioral health platform for people with chronic pain, aiming to transform how chronic pain is treated.
Paragon H2: ParagonH2 addresses the growing water crisis with a device that is driven by hydrogen that can supply electricity and clean water simultaneously.
Virtual Internships: Virtual Internship Partners provides transformative, 21st century remote-work experiences for students with companies all over the world.
WipeFlush: WipeFlush is a Cleantech Startup developing an environmentally-safe wipe that is similar to standard baby wipes but disperses like toilet paper. We will help to eliminate the $1B in damages caused by wipes every year.
MassChallenge Israel Partners
Altshuler Shaham Benefits, Amazon Web Services, ARC Impact, Beta Mechanchim, Brandeis University, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Desphande Foundation, Digital Transformation Association, ELTA Systems LTD, Fischer Behar Chen Well Orion & Co, Goodwin Procter LLP, Google for Startups, Ingram Micro, Merchant & Gould P.C., Microsoft for Startups, The Peres Center for Peace & Innovation, Poalim Hi- Tech, The Jerusalem Development Authority, The Kraft Group, The Ministry of Jerusalem, Universal Music Group, Yigal Arnon & Co.
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. Headquartered in the United States with locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Rhode Island, Switzerland, and Texas, MassChallenge is committed to strengthening the global innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world. To date, more than 2,400 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $6 billion in funding, generated more than $3.2 billion in revenue, and created more than 157,000 total jobs. Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org.