This step is another in a line of steps taken by Ashdod Port developed to strengthen the Company's innovation trend. This is a joint project of the Innovation Authority and the Finance Ministry's Government Companies Authority, designed to develop and evaluate innovative technologies and products through pilots run at the relevant government companies. The success of this project may lead to the leveraging and streamlining of the Port's work and yields in the sectors it will promote.
As part of this initiative, Ashdod Port approached the Innovation Authority to take part in the unique track designed to provide innovative technological development and support to government companies through Israeli technology companies. The selected startups will receive financial support of 20%-50% for various expenses related to research and development of the products. The companies that present a plan with a potential for exceptional streamlining of the government company's economic activity will receive extraordinary support of 60% of the R&D expenses.
Part of the significant goals of the 'innovation support' track is the streamlining of the economic activity and the business performance of the government companies. Chairperson of Ashdod Port, Orna Hausman-Bechor added: “Ashdod Port's decision to take part in this project constitutes significant and vital progress in adapting the port's infrastructure and systems to an era of competition between ports."
As part of the project, Ashdod Port will provide the winning companies with a unique experimental area with overseas potential. In this area, personnel from startups can conduct optimal technological development of innovative products designated for essential activities at the port, such as unloading, storage, transport, control systems, etc.
The method for submitting candidacy and the related procedures and terms were set by the Government Companies Authority and the Israel Innovation Authority and are described on the Innovation Authority's website:
https://innovationisrael.org.il/program/3751