MerageNext is a national startup competition empowering visionary entrepreneurs to create bold, scalable solutions that support the renewal of Israel.
About MerageNext Entrepreneurs' Innovation Competition for Israel's Renewal
Opportunity Details
MerageNext is a national startup competition empowering visionary entrepreneurs to create bold, scalable solutions that support the renewal of Israel. From housing and resilience to Lifesciences & health, advanced manufacturing, Defense & Cyber, Agro-FoodTech, Desert & Climate, FinTech, SmartMobility Education- this competition calls on innovators to help shape the next chapter of collective rebuilding and growth of Israel.
The Merage Startup Competition started back in 2014, and proudly supported diverse innovators, including:
- Entrepreneurs over the age of 45 transitioning from top careers into the startup world.
- Women founders, who are building innovative startups at growing rates — yet still receive only 10% of global investor funding.
October 7th events changed the competition focus to support the renewal and strengthening of Israel.
Each of the finalists will receive personalized coaching to prepare them for the actual pitching competition as well as:
Access to knowledge sessions, networking events, mentoring and media exposure.
The Competition Structure:
Stage 1 - Registration and Application submission (May 25- July 15, 2025): At the end of this stage the board will select promising projects that will progress to the next stage.
Stage 2 - 20 Selected: startups to be announced.
Stage 3- Pitching event: Five teams will be selected for the Final Competition after the pitching event
Stage 4 - The Final Competition (On September 16 2025): The 5 finalists will present their project to a Board of Judges and to the audience (5 minutes presentation each), followed by Q&A with the judges.
The winner will be determined by the judges and audience (Merage Fellows, investors, advisors); the finalist with the highest score will win the first prize ($100,000 USD).
Benefits of MerageNext Entrepreneurs' Innovation Competition for Israel's Renewal
- First Prize: $ 100,000 - (a) one hundred thousand US dollars to be used for the initial financing of the winning project according to the business plan.
(b) automatic acceptance into the prestigious Merage Institute Innovation Bridge Program in California (all expenses paid; flights are excluded).
- Second and third Prizes: automatic acceptance into the prestigious Merage Institute Innovation Bridge Program in California (all program related expenses in California are covered; flights are excluded).
MerageNext Entrepreneurs' Innovation Competition for Israel's Renewal Requirements
- The competition is open to all entrepreneurs. They are calling for bold, scalable solutions that support the renewal and rebuilding of Israel - housing and resilience to Lifesciences & health, advanced manufacturing, Defense & Cyber, Agro-FoodTech, Desert & Climate, FinTech, SmartMobility Education.
- The competing projects – joint venture/ applied research idea/ innovative technology has viable commercial potential.
- The project has not been awarded financing in the past (whether self-financed or by a third party) in an amount exceeding $100,000 (one hundred thousand US dollars).
- Ownership of the project belongs to the competing entrepreneur/s (thus the competition is not suitable for employees of universities/ research institutes/ civil servants, etc. if the intellectual property of the project belongs to their employers). A declaration to this effect is to be made as part of the registration form.
- Completion and filing of all the documents and terms of registration
Application Date and Process
Apply Here
Application Deadline
15 July, 2025
Scholarship Application Portal
View details of
MerageNext Entrepreneurs' Innovation Competition for Israel's Renewal
Apply for MerageNext Entrepreneurs' Innovation Competition for Israel's Renewal
