About us
The Israeli National Center was established in 2022 by Haifa Municipality, following the decision of Israel’s Inter-Ministerial Committee for the management of maritime space to declare Haifa as the capital of Blue Economy and Blue Tech innovation of Israel.
Strategy
The Blue Economy strategy was adopted by the State of Israel in 2018. This was part of a cooperation between the Israeli government and the European Union. The partnership aims to build a long-term strategy for sustainable management of sea resources.
Technology
The National Center focuses on technological innovation and initiatives addressing the maritime space. Integrating urban innovation and development processes on Israel’s shores is key to our work.
Create Partnerships
The National Center creates partnerships for development and innovation. Involved in this process are research institutes, industry, ports, and environmental and community bodies.
Support Startups
The National Center acts as an incubator for innovative, early stage start-ups in ocean tech. It assists with connecting those companies to resources, services, infrastructure, and provides the support they need to achieve commercial success.
Areas of activity
Maritime Transport
Desalination
Extractive Industries
Waste Management
Ocean Monitoring
Carbon Sequestration
Tourism
Aquaculture Biotechnology
Offshore Energy
Our Vision
To lead the technological entrepreneurial ecosystem based on sustainable Innovation in the maritime field.
Our Mission
Positioning Israel as a World Leader in Blue Tech
Creating an innovation and technology hub in the urban space of Haifa and the Innovation District, which will be a magnet for technological entrepreneurial activities in the maritime field.
Improving the Impact on the Environment.
Promoting technologies that are in line with ESG indicators and SDG goals, support the preservation of the environment and biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Leadership Team
Lior Hanuka
Lior is CEO of HiCenter Ventures, a business-technology entrepreneurship center in Haifa’s Innovation District.
Lior has over 20 years of experience in investments and Venture Capital investments, managing and consulting start-ups, advising investors, and leading fundraising processes in Israel and abroad.
Hila Ehrenreich
Hila is Chief Executive of The Israeli National Center of Blue Economy and Innovation.
Hila has more than 15 years of experience in environment and infrastructure. Former, VP of BizDev and regulation in a technology incubator and CEO of a maritime government company.
Proffesor Shaul Chorev
Shaul is the Director of the Maritime Policy & Strategy Research Center (MPS) with the Israeli National Center of Blue Economy.
Shaul is a retired Navy Rear Admiral and has held senior positions in the Israeli Defence establishment. Shaul was a Professor in political science, specializing in maritime strategy and Israeli maritime defense policy, and managing several university institutes.
Omri Shamir
Omri is Head of Business Development with the Israeli National Center of Blue Economy and Innovation.
Omri has over 10 years of experience as a Founder and CEO of an open innovation cross-border accelerator, focusing on international go-to-market strategies and execution.
Iris Tzur
Iris is Head of International Relations and Marketing with the Israeli National Center of blue economy and innovation.
Iris is an ex-Googler with over 17 years of international experience in marketing and communications in the areas of tech, sustainability, and government.
Shirley Roit
Shirley is Office Manager of the Marimite Policy & Strategy Research Center (MPS) with the Israeli National Center of Blue Economy and Innovation.
Shirley has a rich background in leadership programs, HR, and data analysis, coupled with adeptness in fostering relations with East-Asian countries.
