The Merage DeserTech Competition 2022
About
The Merage DeserTech Competition is a flagship annual event, designed to accelerate innovative technologies to address global desert challenges. Taking place for the 3rd time, this year, we offer a unique opportunity to test your technology in a real arid environment- the Negev, and to win a 100K ILS grant for this pilot.
If it works here – it can work everywhere.
The Negev is a natural pilot site for various arid markets around the world and a center of innovation with key experts in desert technologies. The competition gives you the opportunity to connect, plan and start a fruitful collaboration that will prove that your technology is relevant for arid environments.
What will you get?
100,000 ILS
to test your solution in the Negev
Adapt and test your technology in arid conditions - if it works here, it can work anywhere
Learn
Expand your network to new markets
Expand
Collaborate with partners in the Negev – the application process will provide a platform to connect with strategic partners in the local ecosystem
Connect
Who can participate?
Israeli startups operating in the fields of
water, renewable energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors, with a solution that can address one or more global desert challenges
Extreme
Climate
Acute Temperature Shifts | Flash floods, Sand & dust Storms, Wildfires (semi-Arid) | Sun Intensity
Water Scarcity & Availability
Water quality & quantity | Water Contamination | Droughts
Land
Degradation
Soil Salination | Erosion | Flash floods | Soil contamination
Remote &
Marginal Living
Decentralization | Lack of access to basic needs and livelihoods
In collaboration with a Negev-based pilot site
Timeline
September 12th
Competition launch, Beer Sheva
Meet the participating pilot sites and get all the information you need to apply
September 29th
Find Your Match, Online webinar
Do you have a solution and are still looking for your match? Find your one here!
October 18th
Applications closes
​
November 22nd
Final Event, Beer Sheva
Pitching and Live Winner Announcement!
Who can you apply with?
Volcani Institute - Gilat Center
The southern branch of the Agricultural Research Organization of Israel's Ministry of Agriculture specialized in Arid & Semi-Arid Agricultural Research.
Central & Northern Arava Tamar R&D
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The R&D aims to serve the development of agriculture in the settlements along the Israeli borders, being 60% of the total Israeli export of fresh vegetables.
Eran Raveh
Eilon Gadiel
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Frontier
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Arava Institute
Frontier is an agro innovations hub, which is a unique collaboration between Arieli Capital and the Ramat-HaNegev Desert Agro Research Center aiming to lead the development of food security through smart farming on a national and international level.
The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is a leading environmental studies and research institute in the Middle East. It houses accredited academic programs, research centers, and international cooperation initiatives focusing on a range of environmental concerns and challenges.
Lion David
Tareq Abuhamed
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South Arava R&D
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Dead Sea and Arava Science Center
Southern Arava R&D is a regional agriculture R&D center, that hosts various scientific activities including soil and water sciences.
The DSASC aims to conduct applied research based on the region’s relative advantages, within the context of sustainable development and to be a center for cross-border scientific cooperation.
Oren Bar Lavran
Yael Zeldman Haviv
BGN
BGN Technologies is the technology company of Ben-Gurion University, bringing technological innovation from
lab to market and fostering entrepreneurship among researchers and students
Shirley Sheffer
Judging Committee
Ofir Gomeh
CEO, Capital Nature
Prof. Yoav Yair
Dean, School of Sustainability, Reichman University
Dganit Vered
CEO, Smart Agro
Galit Ofer
Partner, Shibolet
Adi Vagman
Investor, E44 Ventures
Naor Caspi
Head of Innovation
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Roee Forman
Managing Director, Doral Energy-Tech Ventures
Ethy Levy
Managing Partner, Kinneret Impact Venture
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Galit Shiff
Co-CEO and Founder, Gilad-Shiff Architecture
Avital Eshet
Head of economic policy and climate tech, Ministry of Environmental Protection
