Key Takeaways:
- The BIRD Foundation has allocated $9.6 million to fund new projects, including significant innovations in agriculture and food technology, between U.S. and Israeli companies.
- Among the funded projects, Celleste Bio and Mondelez International are collaborating to produce cell-based cocoa solids. Imagindairy and Ginkgo Bioworks are partnering to develop non-whey dairy proteins, showcasing the foundation’s commitment to advancing food technology.
- These collaborations aim to address critical challenges in the agri-food sector, such as sustainability and efficiency, through cutting-edge technological solutions.
- The BIRD Foundation’s support highlights the importance of international partnerships in driving innovation and commercial success in the agriculture and food industries.
Advancing Sustainable Food Solutions
In its latest funding cycle, the BIRD Foundation has highlighted its commitment to fostering innovation in agriculture and food technology through strategic U.S.-Israeli collaborations. With a total of $9.6 million approved for ten projects, the initiative underscores the potential of binational partnerships to revolutionize the agri-food sector. Among the standout projects:
- Celleste Bio (Misgav, Israel) and Mondelez International (Chicago, IL) are set to develop and produce on-demand non-fat cocoa solids and cocoa-based powder using pioneering cell-based technology. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the cocoa industry by offering sustainable and efficient alternatives to traditional production methods.
- Imagindairy (Haifa, Israel) and Ginkgo Bioworks (Boston, MA) will work together to develop and manufacture non-whey dairy proteins at scale. By achieving cost parity with conventional dairy products, this partnership seeks to create novel food products that cater to the growing demand for sustainable and ethical food choices.
- LahakX (Ramat Hasharon, Israel) and Aero Systems West (San Martin, CA) to develop a heavy payload spraying drone swarm for agriculture and fire prevention.
Bridging Innovation and Sustainability
The BIRD Foundation’s focus on agriculture and food technology projects reflects a broader trend toward sustainability and innovation in the agri-food sector. By facilitating these collaborations, the Foundation contributes to the technological advancements in food production and addresses pressing global challenges such as food security, environmental sustainability, and the need for more efficient food supply chains.
A Legacy of Impactful Collaborations
The approval of these projects continues the BIRD Foundation’s 46-year legacy of promoting impactful U.S.-Israeli collaborations. With over 1000 projects funded, the Foundation has played a crucial role in bringing innovative solutions to market, generating over $10 billion in direct and indirect sales. The success of these partnerships underscores the value of international cooperation in driving the agricultural and food technology sectors forward.
Looking Ahead
As the BIRD Foundation prepares for its next funding cycle, with a submission deadline of March 7, 2024, the agriculture and food technology sectors remain in keen interest. These industries stand to benefit significantly from the Foundation’s support, fostering advancements that could reshape the way we produce, process, and consume food in the future. The ongoing collaboration between U.S. and Israeli companies is a testament to the power of innovation to solve real-world problems and create a more sustainable and efficient food system.
BIRD Latest News On Agriculture
BIRD Approves $8 Million in Funding for U.S.-Israel Collaborations (2023/07/12)
The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation has approved $8 million in funding for nine joint projects between U.S. and Israeli companies. The selected projects cover various sectors, including quantum computing, agri-tech, food science, medical devices, health IT, logistics, and video processing. The BIRD Foundation funds selected projects without claiming equity or intellectual property rights. The BIRD Foundation’s Board of Governors co-chairs have expressed their excitement about the selected projects and their potential for driving innovation and addressing critical challenges in various industries.
Funds Innovative Projects In Latest Funding (2023/01/20)
The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has approved $8.4 million in funding for nine new projects between U.S. and Israeli companies, including agrotech projects. The projects will access private-sector funding, boosting the total value of all projects to $20 million. BIRD promotes collaborations between U.S. and Israeli companies in various technological sectors for joint product development. The agrotech projects aim to tackle pressing global challenges and have the potential to bring new products and services to the market, making a positive impact on the agricultural industry.
Photo by Artur Widak
