This one-day visit offered deep insights into the resilient and rapidly developing ecosystem of food-tech, climate-tech, and agri-tech in Kiryat Shmona and the surrounding Galilee region—a region that, despite being impacted by ongoing security challenges, is becoming a national and international innovation hub.

Highlights from the Day:

Opening remarks by the Israel Innovation Authority underlined the government’s mission to spread innovation beyond Tel Aviv and the center of the country—to empower local talent and unlock new potential in the periphery.

Dr. Erel Margalit, Founder of JVP and Margalit Startup City, shared his vision of rebuilding Kiryat Shmona through investment in high-tech, culture, and education. JVP has already helped build 160 companies and now supports over 104 startups in the Galilee region. “This is not just about technology—it’s about community, resilience, and creating 30,000 jobs for the next generation.”

Noam Josef (GAIA Partners) and the Kibbutz Industries Association emphasized how food security, sustainability, and advanced research go hand-in-hand in the region, turning past challenges into opportunities for regional development.

Startups That Impressed:

Wonder Veggies: Developed a unique probiotic spray that naturally enriches fruits and vegetables either pre- or post-harvest. Entirely based in northern Israel, the company is seeking international growers, including partners in the Czech Republic.

Nuversys: Based in Tel Hai, Nuversys uses microcapsule "pearls" to infuse food products with nutrients like Omega-3 without altering taste. A revolutionary step in the food-supplement industry, especially relevant in health-conscious markets.

BioBetter: Using tobacco plants to produce vital proteins for lab-grown meat—offering affordable, scalable solutions for the cultivated meat industry.

Meeting the Farmers:

At Pri Beresheet, we heard from Ilan Shwartz, who leads a fruit cooperative located just meters from the Lebanese border. The region, deeply affected by recent security tensions, continues to show remarkable resilience. Despite the challenges of working under the threat of conflict, local farmers are committed to maintaining production of high-quality apples, peaches, cherries, and more. Their cooperative model supports innovation, post-harvest infrastructure, and access to agro-tech solutions—demonstrating how agriculture and determination go hand-in-hand to secure food supply and economic stability in the region.Scientific Excellence at MIGAL:

With over 100 PhDs and strong ties to Tel-Hai College, MIGAL is a driving force behind applied research in precision agriculture, food technology, biotechnology, and climate resilience. From robotic apple harvesters to AI-powered postharvest tech and sustainable fertilization models, MIGAL is helping Israeli farmers face today’s challenges and prepare for the future.

The tour concluded at the Matityahu Experimental Farm, where Dr. Omer Crane explained cutting-edge trials to optimize water use, reduce nitrogen pollution, and adapt orchard design for robotic harvest systems.

This tour was a powerful reminder that innovation isn’t just born in labs—it grows in fields, thrives in communities, and flourishes when vision is met with determination.

The Czech Republic is keen to explore partnerships with Israeli innovators in food-tech, agri-tech, biotech, and sustainability. With shared challenges and complementary expertise, this is a natural ground for future cooperation.

We sincerely thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israel Export Institute, and the Kibbutz Industries Association for putting together such a well-organized and inspiring program that offered valuable insights into Israel’s food-tech and innovation landscape.

Let’s keep building bridges between Czech and Israeli innovation!