Desert Climate Innovation Center launches in Bea’er Shev, Israel

A ground-breaking initiative in climate and desert technology has taken root in Bea’er Sheva, Israel, with the inauguration of new high-tech dessert climate innovation center. This center, established at a cost of 15 million shekels, represents a strategic move to catalyse technological advancements in the Negev and Arava regions while tackling global challenges related to climate and desert environments.

The center was formed with the goal of “realizing the unique knowledge developed in the Negev, bringing start-up companies to sprout, meeting the global climate and desert challenges, developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Negev, increasing and diversifying quality employment in the Negev with hundreds of new technological jobs.”

Such innovation centers have recently been constructed in nine distinct locations in Israel with the goal of promoting technological innovation and economic growth outside of typical urban centers. The center intends to establish a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship by concentrating on industries that are critical to sustainability and environmental preservation, such as climate technology, agriculture, and solutions for desert areas.

The center’s director, Dr. Yehudit Zilberstein, expressed hope for the cooperation of several parties, such as Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the Israeli Innovation Institute, and the Merage Foundation Israel. This collaboration demonstrates a dedication to using corporate knowledge, academic skills, and official backing to promote significant development and economic growth in Israel’s southern regions.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has played a pivotal role in this endeavor by launching an innovation center specifically focused on DesertTech. This initiative aims to not only create employment opportunities in high-tech fields but also harness the unique knowledge developed in the Negev to address global climate challenges and position Israel as a leader in combating desertification.

The center’s establishment is timely, given recent economic challenges in the Negev region. The collaboration between five leading players in the Israeli ecosystem: the Mirage Israel Fund, the InNegev Incubator, the Israel Institute for Innovation, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Group 19 not only bolsters the high-tech sector but also serves as a beacon of  hope for local.