Innovation Authority Joins PULSE MassChallenge

Israel Innovation Authority Joins PULSE@MassChallenge to Connect Israeli Startups with Massachusetts Digital Health Champions

Program aims to provide Israeli digital health startups with extensive opportunities to grow innovative technologies within the Massachusetts digital health ecosystem

(June 6, 2018, Tel Aviv, Israel) – The Israel Innovation Authority has announced¬¬ that it is partnering with the PULSE@MassChallenge program, a Boston-based public-private digital health initiative, to connect innovative Israeli startups with local champions such as healthcare providers and corporations. The collaborations established through the PULSE program will help startups’ reach critical milestones such as pilot and validation phases, strategic investment, ongoing partnerships and more.

The PULSE@MassChallenge program also offers awards and non-equity grants to startups, along with mentoring and office space for the duration of the startups’ projects. Among the program’s backers are the State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (MACP), and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

The opportunity for increased cooperation between Israel and MassChallenge was first discussed during a March 2018 meeting between Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, Aharon Aharon.

According to the terms of the partnership, PULSE@MassChallenge will open its doors to Israeli digital health startups and the Innovation Authority will help promote “matchmaking” initiatives between startups and local champions as well as fund startups’ pilot and validation projects. In addition to the Innovation Authority’s grants, the selected startups will receive Pulse awards, scholarships, mentoring and go to market assistance.

PULSE@MassChallenge is designed to bring digital health innovators and the clinical community together to drive cutting edge medical innovation. This competitive startup program includes, mentoring, networking events, panel discussions, pitch contests, and co-working opportunities. PULSE@MassChallenge benefits from experiences and insights from both MassChallenge and TechSpring.

Aharon Aharon, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority said, “The Israel Innovation Authority is the gateway to Israel’s research and innovation in all domains, including the life sciences. Israel has more than 1400 life sciences companies and close to 500 in digital health alone. Through this partnership with PULSE@MassChallenge, we will connect the most innovative Israeli startups with Massachusetts life sciences champions including healthcare providers and corporations. This will support validation of the startups’ technologies and promote co-development with local partners in the digital health ecosystem. We are proud to be partnering with such a forward-looking organization as MassChallenge, particularly in such a crucial field as healthcare, where so many can benefit.”

Israeli digital health companies can apply to the PULSE@MassChallenge program through the Israel Innovation Authority’s Americas desk. A call for proposals will be issued soon. More information about PULSE@MassChallenge can be found here.