Governor Patrick Kicks Off Water Industry's Trade Mission to Israel
Source New England-Israel Business Council
Governor Deval Patrick met with delegation members of the Massachusetts Water Innovation Mission to Israel at a pre-trip reception. The trade mission, whose participants will act as ambassadors of the state’s water technology industry, is a direct follow-on to the Governor’s trip to Israel in 2011 and aims to foster business, academic and government partnerships that lead to economic growth and innovation in Massachusetts.
Highlights of the Dec. 16-19 Mission to Israel for participants include private meetings with Israeli water industry entrepreneurs, major company executives, investors and government officials, plus site visits, “speed dating” for water research academics and a technology competition. The trip is designed to foster partnerships between trip participants and their Israeli colleagues; provide opportunities to learn about the world-class success of Israel water innovation and lessons for the Massachusetts industry cluster; and to attract Israeli companies, which are planning to expand into the U.S. market to consider Massachusetts as their home-away-from-home.
The water innovation industry in the Commonwealth includes multiple billion-dollar companies, dozens of start-ups, robust research and graduate degree programs and an active investor community. In Israel, water innovation has resulted in a variety of important achievements, including 86% water recycling (making Israel the number one water recycler in the world); the largest desalination plant in the world at the lowest-cost operating expense; the highest efficiency of crop-yield to water-use; and the founding of three of the world’s four largest drip irrigation companies, among others.
“Massachusetts is home to more than 100 Israeli-founded businesses that enjoy the talented workforce, culture of innovation, access to venture capital, academic and research strength and great airport connectivity that the state offers,” said Amir Eldad, chairman of the New England-Israel Business Council (NEIBC). “For Israeli water innovators, Massachusetts is a natural partner because of the strong water industry cluster located here as well as high awareness of the smart energy/water nexus.
The trade delegation is also hosting the W.E.T. Revolution Competition while in Israel, a business competition for Israeli water technology companies that plan to expand into the North American market. Twenty applications have already been received for this VIP networking event, which includes judges from the delegation and prizes from Massachusetts companies.
Clcik here for a two-page overview of the Massachusetts Water Innovation Mission to Israel.
Source: New England-Israel Business Council
