A new hi-tech center will be inaugurated at Kibbutz Nir Am on the border of the Gaza Strip

A new hi-tech center will be inaugurated tomorrow at Kibbutz Nir Am on the border of the Gaza Strip. The opening event will include the exposure of young start-ups, mostly residents of the region, who have developed projects suitable for investments in software, electronics, industry, robotics, agriculture and biotechnology. The event will include representatives of kibbutzim and factories from all over the country, managers of hi-tech companies, heads of capital funds and senior officials in the Innovation Authority, which encourages the development of R & D in the region.
 Ofir Liebstein, chairman of the Kibbutz Industries Association, said that it is precisely against the background of the difficult events that we are proud to inaugurate the hi-tech center, which will provide the infrastructure for establishing new companies and developing quality employment opportunities for the western Negev. Far away, that our Palestinian neighbors will come and work with us on new hi-tech projects.

 The center was established and will be run by the SouthUp Technology Incubator, which will include 28 innovative start-up companies with unique technologies. The companies benefit from increased grants from the Innovation Authority, which can be provided to start-ups in the periphery and government assistance in employing workers. The incubator is a joint venture of the Kibbutz Industries Association, the ICA Foundation, the Sapir College, the Western Negev kibbutzim, the Mishkei Hanegev, the Jewish Federation, the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, the Kibbutz Movement Nursery Fund, and private donors from San Diego.