The establishment of the Technological Center for Security and Resilience, commonly known as Hamitbah, at Sapir Academic College in Sderot, represents a significant milestone. This initiative aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in an area profoundly affected by the conflict in Gaza. It is noteworthy that the centre will be operational in Sderot, Ofakim, and Sha’ar HaNegev.
The core focus of the centre will be to address critical issues such as food security, climate resilience, climatetech, social resilience, and HLS security and defence in the Negev region. Its overarching goal is to confront the substantial challenges anticipated in the coming years, contributing to the sustained growth and development of the region.
To actualize these objectives, Hamitbah will provide comprehensive support for entrepreneurship, encompassing the nurturing of innovative concepts, guidance on securing capital investment, and a mentoring programme staffed by advisors from diverse disciplines. Additionally, educational workshops on technological innovation, opportunities to interact with industry professionals, visits to incubators and innovation labs, and exposure to researchers and investors will also be made available.
This ambitious venture is the result of a collaborative effort involving several significant entities, including the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee, National Resilience, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Israel Innovation Authority, the Western Negev Municipal Association, the International Resilience Center in Sderot, and Sapir Academic College.
Avi Yariv, the CEO of Hamitbah, expressed his optimistic outlook regarding the impact of the centre, stating, “Hamitbah is expected to serve as a significant growth engine, leading to breakthroughs, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Western Negev. Especially in this period, when Israel is experiencing one of the challenging periods in its history, I am excited to be part of the Technological Center for Security and Resilience, which aims to make the Western Negev a global leader in resilience innovation. In a place that still experiences trauma, it is our duty to invest in significant employment and export activities that will drive Israel’s economy forward.”
In conclusion, the launch of the Technological Center for Security and Resilience represents a crucial step towards fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the Western Negev, while addressing pressing issues related to security and resilience. It is a commendable initiative that has the potential to bring about tangible and positive outcomes for the region.