Leonardo has signed two agreements with Israeli organisations for innovations and high-tech solutions in multiple fields, including defence, cybersecurity, aeronautics, intelligence and space, areas of strategic interest for Leonardo’s business.
The first agreement is with the Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA), an independent public agency providing technical and financial support for innovative projects promoted by both Israeli and international start -ups, mature companies, multinationals and universities. The second is with Ramot, the Technology Transfer Company that develops the Intellectual Property of the Tel Aviv University, with its 30,000 students (including 16,000 researchers).
The partnerships, promoted by Leonardo and supported and coordinated by the Italian Embassy in Israel, with the contribution of the Israeli Embassy in Italy and the Economic Mission of Israel in Milan, will focus in particular, on strengthening cooperation in the scouting and development of start-ups, drawing on the country’s experience and track record as a “start-up nation” as a result of its 7,000 plus start-ups and 430-odd venture capital funds operating in the country’s innovation ecosystem through nearly 100 accelerators and 37 active incubators.
The agreements will be implemented immediately through active collaboration in scouting start -ups for the second international call of the Business Innovation Factory (BIF) of Leonardo. As a result of the programme, launched by the company on 24 January and dedicated to start-ups submitting innovative solutions in the fields of simulation and gamification, networking & cybersecurity, one of the five legs of the promotional road show will be held in Tel Aviv (28 February). The agreement with Ramot will set out the principles for cooperating on Leonardo-sponsored research projects carried out by Tel Aviv University, for which Leonardo will define areas of research and of interest, and will set out the guidelines of the call for proposals dedicated to the University’s researchers. To date, Ramot has invested in over 100 start-ups and works with companies to implement applied research projects, also using IIA funds.
The agreements with IIA and Ramot form part of Leonardo’s strategy to strengthen relations with institutions, universities and private entities so as to create structural partnerships with the aim of fuelling technological innovation and business processes, following the guidelines set out in the Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan.
The agreement with the IIA, in particular, is part of the Authority’s “R&D and Pilot Collaboration with Multinational Corporation (Mncs)” program, launched in 2005 with the aim of promoting ambitious collaborations between large multinationals and the most innovative Israeli companies.