EXPAND accelerator launches to propel Israeli tech to the forefront of NASA's Artemis program
EXPAND accelerator launches to propel Israeli tech to the forefront of NASA's Artemis program
The accelerator is based in Mitzpe Ramon’s ‘Space City’ to promote dual-use technologies for Earth and Space
The EXPAND accelerator, the flagship program from Creation-Space, has launched in Israel’s Mitzpe Ramon region designed to fuel five startups that are specifically developing technologies for sustainable exploration and settlement of the Moon and Mars.
The program is focused on dual-use technologies and open to solutions that benefit both life on Earth and pave the way for our sustainable future in space. The EXPAND tech accelerator, a joint initiative by Creation-Space and the local Tech7 innovation community, aims to propel Israeli technology to the forefront of NASA's Artemis program for lunar and Martian exploration and settlement.
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From right to left: Elia Winter, Mitzpe Ramon Council Chairman; Uri Oron, Director General of the Israel Space Agency; Oren Hefetz, Director of Business Development at JNF USA; and Roy Naor, CEO of Creation-Space
(Photo: Raz TelChai)
Leveraging its reputation as a ‘Startup Nation’, Israel is now setting its sights on deep space innovation. The program features only five companies hoping to play an important role in humanity's next giant leap. These startups will benefit from the expertise of space executives, technologists, and business leaders while gaining access to funding opportunities from the space investor community.
The selected companies are as follows:
- Tedence Space - Founded by Morris Laster, which is developing an AI medical platform to analyze low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) for health diagnosis and protection in space.
- Omnidrill - Founded by Lior Tevet, which is creating underground robotic technologies for sustainable infrastructure solutions on Earth and future lunar and Mars colonies.
- Inhayle - Founded by Itay Benartzi, which is developing hydroxyl-based surface disinfection technology to reduce hospital infections and maintain cleanliness in space stations.
- OASIX - Founded by Jonathan Haran, which is developing heating and cooling systems with a carbon-neutral heat pump that works in all weather conditions and reduces energy costs.
- NOVAlert - Founded by Dan Atlas, which is creating sensors for smart monitoring of physiological conditions through clothing to detect and warn of dysfunction.
"This groundbreaking Israeli entrepreneurship not only advances science and technology but also strengthens Israel's position as a global leader in commercial space,” said Dr. Roy Naor, CEO of Creation-Space. “Fostering Israeli technologies in space is a major milestone for our high-tech sector, a tremendous Zionist achievement, and a further boost to the 'Startup Nation' brand."
"The launch of the EXPAND accelerator, which the Israel Space Agency proudly supports, is a testament to the thriving Israeli space sector," added Uri Oron, Director of the Israel Space Agency. "Mitzpe Ramon's unique environment ignites the imagination needed to propel the next generation of space entrepreneurs. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting the program's success."
Creation-Space was founded in 2023 by Naor, Gal Yoffe, and Alon Shikar. Backed by the American fund CreationsVC and founded by space professionals, it is an innovation hub and a platform fostering innovation to enable humanity's expansion beyond Earth. Tech7 is the ecosystem catalyst of Be’er Sheva and the Negev region. Founded in 2015, it acts as a one-stop-shop service for startups and new initiatives from ideation to later stages.
Steve Braverman, who heads the American fund CreationsVC, added: "Identifying innovative technologies that support 'life in space,' combined with a focus on climate efficiency, will help improve space efforts and address challenges on Earth that requires new thinking and innovative approaches.”
