Bina event - Innovation in AgTech: Challenges & Opportunities

At Bina, we bridge Weizmann Institute of Science’s pioneering research with pressing global challenges and unmet industry needs.

Dr. Reut Mashiach brought that focus to AgTech - addressing food security, climate resilience, and sustainability.

Prof. Anthony (Tony) Futerman, VP for Innovation & Technology Transfer, opened the event by reflecting on Chaim Weizmann’s strong belief in agriculture as foundational to resilient societies - a vision that continues to guide our innovation strategy today.
Sarai Kemp, Climate Tech & AgriFood VC and Director of BD at BARD The U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund, shared an insider’s view of global AgriFood trends, investment shifts, and opportunity gaps - illustrating how deep science can translate into impactful ventures.
Ziv Kohav, Open Innovation Lead at ICL Group and founder of ICL’s OPEN innovation platform, presented the industry perspective - highlighting unmet needs in nutrient efficiency and how structured collaborations with academia turn cutting-edge research into scalable agricultural solutions.

Our panel discussion, including leaders from WIS, Bina, ICL, Trendlines, and BARD, shed light on how breakthrough science becomes scalable agricultural solutions—and the advantages of engaging academia from the earliest stages.
The conversation highlighted climate-driven AgTech priorities, commercialization barriers, and funding pathways that help bridge the “valley of death.”
Takeaway: Real agricultural impact requires aligned partnerships, translational support, and strong cross-sector collaboration.
Panelists: Dr. Nitza Kardish, Dr. Elinor Erez, Dr. Adi Perelman‬‏, Sarai Kemp, Dr. Or Rotem, Dr. Haim Barr, Ziv Kohav, Dr. Barak Hajaj, and Dr. Reut Mashiach.

The future of sustainable agriculture will be shaped by bold science and strong academia–industry partnerships, especially in addressing fundamental scientific gaps where early-stage research can have a truly transformative impact.

Have an idea in AgTech? Let’s grow it together: https://wkf.ms/4r9hni6

More News

ABC Chat with Eyal Ben Ami - M Ventures

As part of Bina’s ABC meetings, we hosted Dr. Eyal Ben Ami, Associate - Science Lead at M Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Merck.
M Ventures invests in early-stage biotech and health-tech companies, sitting right at the intersection of cutting-edge science and global industry.
Eyal took us on a journey from the lab bench to the investor’s chair - from academic research in neuroimmunology, through roles in drug development companies and biotech startups, to his current position as an investor in a corporate VC fund.

The Jerusalem Press Club (JPC) visit at Bina

It was a pleasure to host The Jerusalem Press Club (JPC) at Bina, the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Bina Innovation Fellowship - Cohort 3 - 6th Session - Visit to aMoon Fund

Bina Innovation Fellowship Session 6: field visit to aMoon Fund venture capital - seeing investing up close and from multiple angles:
Maya Tollman Toledano opened with an introduction to investing and venture capital (VC) - how funds work, what they look for, and how opportunities are evaluated.
Reut Shema introduced aMoon Fund - focus areas, investment thesis, and how due diligence translates into decisions.
Ahuvit David offered a glimpse into careers in VC, using her own path as an example - roles, skills, and day-to-day.