MerageNext Entrepreneurs' Innovation Competition for Israel's Renewal

MerageNext is a national startup competition designed to empower visionary entrepreneurs to create bold, scalable solutions that support the renewal of Israel. From housing and resilience to life sciences, health, advanced manufacturing, defense, cyber, agro-food tech, desert and climate, fintech, smart mobility, and education, this competition calls on innovators to help shape the next chapter of Israel's collective rebuilding and growth.

📅 Key Dates

• Date Published: June 25, 2025
• Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
• Final Competition Date: September 16, 2025

🏆 Benefits of the Competition

1. First Prize: $100,000 USD

   • To be used for the initial financing of the winning project according to the business plan.
   • Automatic acceptance into the prestigious Merage Institute Innovation Bridge Program in California (all expenses paid; flights excluded).

2. Second and Third Prizes:

   • Automatic acceptance into the Merage Institute Innovation Bridge Program in California (all program-related expenses in California are covered; flights excluded).

3. Additional benefits for finalists:

   • Personalized coaching to prepare for the pitching competition.
   • Access to knowledge sessions, networking events, mentoring, and media exposure.

🛠️ Competition Structure

1. Stage 1 - Registration and Application Submission (May 25 - July 15, 2025):

   • Promising projects will be selected by the board to progress to the next stage.

2. Stage 2 - Announcement of 20 Selected Startups:

   • These startups will advance to the pitching event.

3. Stage 3 - Pitching Event:

   • Five teams will be selected for the Final Competition.

4. Stage 4 - The Final Competition (September 16, 2025):

   • The 5 finalists will present their projects to a board of judges and an audience (5-minute presentations followed by Q&A).
   • The winner will be determined by the judges and audience, with the finalist receiving the highest score winning the $100,000 USD grand prize.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Open to all entrepreneurs with bold, scalable solutions supporting Israel's renewal in areas such as housing, resilience, life sciences, health, advanced manufacturing, defense, cyber, agro-food tech, desert and climate, fintech, smart mobility, and education.
• The competing project must have viable commercial potential (e.g., joint ventures, applied research ideas, or innovative technologies).
• The project must not have received financing exceeding $100,000 USD in the past (self-financed or third-party funded).
• Ownership of the project must belong to the competing entrepreneur(s).
  • Note: Employees of universities, research institutes, or civil servants are not eligible if the intellectual property belongs to their employers. A declaration to this effect must be made during registration.
• Completion and submission of all required documents and terms of registration.

🌟 Ideal Candidate

The competition proudly supports 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 but still receive only 10% of global investor funding.

📄 Application Process

• Apply Here: MerageNext 2025 Application
• Application Deadline: July 15, 2025

🌐 About the Sponsor

The competition is sponsored by the Merage Institute, which has been supporting innovative startups since 2014. The institute is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation for Israel's renewal and growth.

For more details, visit the Merage Institute Official Website.

🔗 Contact Information

For further inquiries, please visit the MerageNext Entrepreneurs' Innovation Competition page.

Good luck to all applicants! 🚀

• 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).