Northern Ecosystem

Northern Ecosystem -left

As the largest research institute in the Galilee, MIGAL is leading the region’s development through academic excellence and ground breaking research.

Set in the Galilee, with its picturesque mountains and breathtaking landscapes surrounded by rural and urban communities, MIGAL is perfectly situated for cultivating innovation. It feeds off the local agriculture, food and high tech industries, as well as the cultural and ethnic diversity of the region.

MIGAL’s ability to share research, knowledge and even facilities with the food industry, start-ups, and technology accelerators, as well as its participation in educational and communal projects, have made it a unique regional generator of applied research.

The State of Israel has officially declared the Upper Galilee region and Kiryat Shmona area the nation’s ”FoodTech Valley”.

Northern Ecosystem

MIGAL, Tel Hai College and the Israeli Ministry of Economy have designed a framework for the establishment of an institute which would focus on semi-commercial pilot projects for the food industry.
The regional collaboration between Tel Hai College and MIGAL enables faculty members to conduct cutting-edge research, and  provide hands-on research opportunities to students.  The two organizations have institutionalized their partnership with an affiliation agreement, in order to strengthen the existing academic and research infrastructure.
The Galilee Economic Development Partnership is an economic development organization focused on the Upper Galilee. It attracts, retains, and facilitates the growth of businesses. It also works collaboratively with partners from the public and private sectors in the region. The Galilee Economic Development Partnership provides economic development opportunities including site selection, entrepreneurial services, and targeted initiatives.
The Council is located on the northeastern edge of Israel. It’s jurisdiction covers about 74,000 acres, 29 kibbutz communities, and 18,300 residents. Geographically, it is divided into three zones: mountain communities, northern Hula Valley communities and southern valley communities. The whole region is rich in agriculture and crops, which are crucial for its economy, which is why the Regional Council maintains a constant and close contact with MIGAL and its departments.
MIGAL is proud to be an active partner in the development of human capital in the Galilee through the integration of the general population into its scientific activity and exposing the local community, industry players and entrepreneurs to scientific subjects. MIGAL views this as a tool for strengthening the relationship between scientists and residents of the Galilee. Exposing the population of all backgrounds and ages to science and thus increasing public access to it, helps develop a pool of qualified, professional and educated personnel, which is a key element for the personal future of residents of the area as well as the socio-economic future of the region. It also helps integrate the Galilee’s youth and higher education students into future science challenges.
Kiryat Shmona is the main city is the Upper Galilee with some 23,000 residents. Because of its location, the city is a hub providing a lot of services to the region’s residents including health, employment, financial services such as banks, as well as food, among others. There are two industrial parks in the area with factories and other types of small and medium businesses. In addition, a lot of small businesses are located in the city center and other business districts in Kiryat Shmona. Over the last few years, several initiatives in the Food tech and Agro tech fields have emerged: startup accelerators, Food tech incubators, the food research institute at Tel Hai College, as well as the micro-industry complex in the North Industrial Zone.
MIGAL serves as a source of technology for the incubator Fresh Start by sharing its labs and professional services. This collaboration allows the institute to fulfill its mission to develop and scale FoodTech companies up.
Israel AgriFood-Tech Valley is a voluntary association in the Eastern Galilee region that was established by academia, industry, the public and private sectors. Its goal is to join forces and assets to jointly promote the fields of FoodTech and Agtech as a regional growth engine and bring about coordination and focus for local efforts. The development of the Galilee ecosystem is in line with the growing awareness of healthy, natural and functional food consumption, the search for innovative solutions in raw materials production and with the national strategy to make the Foodtech industry a leader in Israel.