Tel-Hai Magazine 2023-2024

while strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Galilee region. An example of this is OMAIKO, one of the center's groundbreaking pre-accelerator programs. Omaiko has developed the next generation of microalgae farming platforms, delivering sustainable, scalable, and economically viable microalgae production. By achieving remarkable gains in yield, while reducing costs and prioritizing sustainability, Omaiko offers a natural, nutrient-rich, functional protein ingredient, catering to food manufacturers in the health, sports, and alternative protein sectors. For this accomplishment, it was awarded an investment by the Israel Innovation Authority and was accepted to the prestigious international Plug and Play Tech Center program, receiving an Excellence Award in the Food and Beverage sector for producing a cost effective, hypoallergenic protein derived from the spirulina algae. Even in the face of recent challenges created by the outbreak of the Iron Swords War, the center's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship has not wavered. "The war did not stop us," Mira asserts. " After an initial pause to recover from the “The war did not stop us,” Mira asserts. “After an initial pause to recover from the shock, the center recalculated its steps and decided to continue full power ahead with its activity.”

A pitch event concluding our third entrepreneurship program

KKL-JNF Israel, as well as support from Tel-Hai and additional partners, the program offers grants of up to 50,000 NIS per project. Some 40-60 projects compete annually, with 3-6 projects receiving grants and mentorship each year. Academic Entrepreneurship Program This three-semester program, involving lectures, workshops and diverse courses, attracts students from all faculties and departments to a multidisciplinary program. Its curriculum provides tools for developing creative thinking and entrepreneurial skills, including practical experience in project development through advanced learning methods, educational tours and competitions. A Collaborative Program between Academia Community-Industry The center maintains extensive connections with various sectors in Israel and around the world, including the business sector, public sector, academia, industry, hospitals, education system, research institutes, incubators, accelerators, and more. These collaborations yield joint activities such as programs to promote quality

employment, competitions, hackathons, conferences, expert panels for solving complex problems, to name just a few. Some 4-6 hackathons, 6-8 meetups and around 80 collaborations take place annually, engaging around 4000 participants. A standout hackathon was WINEOVATION, an event organized in partnership with Tel-Hai College, the Golan Heights Winery, the Galil Mountains Winery, MIGAL (Galilee Research Institute), the Kibbutz Industry Association, the Galilee Development Company, and 80 students, faculty, and mentors. A further 150 people from Tel-Hai and the local community participated in this Industry and Environment hackathon, which included seven industrial and institutional collaborations. The center's programs are built around the unique strengths of the regional ecosystem, particularly the local academic and research expertise in hi-tech, agriculture, food, food-tech, and environmental sustainability. Serving as a regional hub for innovation, the center attracts a variety of opportunities for regional impact and economic growth; its activities having resulted in innovative solutions to local and global challenges,

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