Entrepreneurship
About IP (intellectual property)
About Incubators in Israel and the application process
- Overview
- What are the incubators looking for?
- How do the incubators evaluate your idea for a new project?
The Ministry of Absorption encouragement program for starting consulting businesses by independent scientists NEW!
The Ministry of Absorption's Business-IL unit for small businesses
Free 1 hour consultation with specialists
About IP (intellectual property)
It is most probable that any investor including the incubators will need to have confident in your IP. There are basically three stages in patenting your IP - idea, patent pending and established patent. In order to be eligible for patent protection, United States patent law requires that an invention be:
- New or Novel: The invention must be demonstrably different from publicly available ideas, inventions, or products (so-called "prior art"). This does not mean that every aspect of an invention must be novel. For example, new uses of known processes, machines, compositions of matter and materials are patentable. Incremental improvements on known processes may also be patentable.
- Useful: The invention must have some application or utility or be an improvement over existing products and/or techniques.
- Non-Obvious: The invention cannot be obvious to a person of "ordinary skill" in the field; non-obviousness usually is demonstrated by showing that practicing the invention yields surprising, unexpected results.
An example form for applying to a university's Tech Transfer Office for submitting a patent is here. In order to insure the retention of maximum patent rights in your ongoing work it should be recorded throughout the whole research, here are some important tips.
About incubators in Israel
Overview
Today there are 24 incubators located throughout Israel managing around 200 projects, 39% of the projects are in medical device and 19% are in biotechnology. Click here for more information about the incubators program.
The incubators program nurtures novice entrepreneurs at the earliest stage of technological innovation, helps them implement their ideas by turning them into exportable commercial products and form productive business ventures in Israel. By absorbing a large portion of the risk in this early stage, where commercial money plays a minor role, the technological incubators provide entrepreneurs with physical premises, financial resources, tools, professional guidance and administrative assistance - so that, during their stay in the incubator, they may turn their abstract ideas into products of proven feasibility, novelty and advantages sought in the international marketplace.
During the 2-3 years project period a special attention is given on ways to enhance money raising, finding strategic partners and build an infrastructure for a business can stand on its own feets. Typical project stays in the incubator for 2-3 years until proof of principal is achieved (pre clinical and/or clinical studies for biotech and pilot or working prototype for a technical product). Typical available budget per project is $500,000 but substantially higher amounts can be secured for specific biotech projects.
What are the incubators looking for?
Skilled, proactive and committed entrepreneurs who would like to return to Israel with an idea for an innovative product or technology that addresses a substantial market need in a significant and growing market. The idea should have a clear and defendable IP (intellectual property). Incubators may be willing to pay for the IP licensing of attractive projects that are related to research institutes, if the terms are not too commercialization-restrictive.
How do the incubators evaluate your idea for a new project?
In order to enable incubators and investors to evaluate your project they will give
you forms to fill in. In many occasions incubators will be ready to receive only partial
answers to the question in their form. You can find a typical assessment form here.
To which incubators I should apply with my idea?
Almost all of the incubators were privatized and have different requirements for project
types according to their protfolio of investment and their experties. It is better to "shop
around" and offer your project to several incubators.
The Ministry of Absorption's Business-IL unit for small businesses
- I decided to start a business in Israel – who will help me in Israel?
When you arrive in the country, your personal adviser will help you through the processes that are related to setting up a business and receiving the services on offer to entrepreneurs who are new immigrants and returning residents. - What are business profiles?
Business profiles are an analysis of the types of industry operating in Israel. In the profile, you can learn about the level of competition in the industry, rates of profitability, barriers to entry, and more. - How can I get personal advice about the business idea that I wish to set up in Israel?
Click on personal advice, fill out a short form, and one of our advisers will contact you. - What information must I provide to get business advice?
In order to get preliminary advice, you will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire. If necessary, we will ask you to fill out an expanded version of the questionnaire that will be sent to you by e-mail. - Is there a fee for this advice?
No. The consultancy service is paid for by the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption and the Authority for Small and Medium-sized Businesses in Israel. - Is the information that I send kept confidential?
Absolutely. Your personal information is sent only to your personal business adviser. - Who is a returning resident? (toshav hozer)
Returning resident is an Israeli citizen who has resided abroad for at least two years.
For additional information and to learn about the rights of returning residents, click here. - What is the Authority for Small Businesses?
The Authority was set up to be an agency that formulates policy that can assist businesses and initiatives, a body which would formulate policy for promoting small and medium-sized businesses, and assist entrepreneurs, as well as serve as the focus for activity in this field and coordinate the work of various bodies active in this area. The main objective of the Authority is to assist entrepreneurs in surmounting the obstacles and difficulties facing them. - What is MATI?
MATI or the Entrepreneurial Promotion Centers, acts as a one stop shop , one central address for the business owner or entrepreneur, where he can find a package of services provided for his benefit or receive guidance and information about other relevant tools operated by various organizations and agencies for his benefit.
For more information click here.
Free 1 hour consultation with specialists
Medical Device
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Boston MedTech Advisors will provide a one hour free consultation / review of proposals for medical device start-ups considered by members of BioAbroad. Consultation will be done in the company's offices in MA or via phone. Boston MedTech Advisors assists medical technology companies and healthcare organizations in advancing their business by providing:
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Market analysis and business strategy
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Business development
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Regulatory affairs and clinical trials management
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Reimbursement and contracting strategies
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Financing support
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