Ministry gives awards to small, medium businesses

A solution for sustainable water? Waistbands to protect the elderly from breaking their hips? Modular synagogue furniture? One of these products may be the next big thing in Israeli industrial design.

That’s what the Small and Medium Business Agency thinks, anyway.

Housed in the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor, the agency has awarded grants of up to up to NIS 200,000 12 businesses that are producing design-intensive innovative products.

The agency said it has a total pool of NIS 2 million to distribute.

The program is limited to companies with fewer than 100 employees that develop prototypes into final products or upgrade product lines.

Chosen from a pool of 61 applicants, the 12 companies represent a diverse collection of Israeli innovators.

Mago, based in Kibbutz Afek, develops products to treat pressure points for medical use. Petah Tikva-based Woosh is developing an automatic water distribution system to address sustainability of drinking and bottled water. Eshet Ayalon industries, based in Kibbutz Eilon, develops agricultural machines that sort and package produce.

Tal and Hadas creates systems and accessories for global transportation companies seeking to optimize cargo loading and delivery. Hip Hop Technology, a Ra’anana-based startup, is developing waistbands to protect the elderly from hip injury. Sderot-based Lachish Industries builds food mixers for dairy farms.

Lavi Furniture, in Kibbutz Lavi, manufactures modular furniture for synagogues. Bag-Pak, in the Sharon region, designs product-specific airbag technology. Dekel Kitchens, a chain, plans kitchen design.

Givat Brenner-based Urili specializes in photography and portable image projection. Aricha Granite, based in Ashdod, manufactures garden and street furniture and is developing designs for public toilets. Rishon Lezion-based Dali Medical Equipment is developing automatic syringes for home use.