Are you the next
Rising Startup
of the Year?

The Asper Prize is a startup competition hosted by the Hebrew University that celebrates startups that utilize innovative technologies with the aim of creating positive impact on a global scale.

Our compass, Your Compass

Our compass, Your Compass

The Hebrew University is celebrating startups that utilize innovative technologies to create a positive impact on a global scale. The winning startup will receive a 100,000 ILS cash prize and be named The Hebrew University Rising Startup of the Year. The competition is hosted in memory of Israel and Babs Asper.

We use the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) as a compass to define the sectors that need more focus. As part of your application process you will elaborate which of the SDG Goals you are solving and the scale of your potential impact.

Prizes

100,000 ILS,
equity free
“The Hebrew University
Rising Startup of the Year” Title

meet the Finalists

Kinoko-Tech is growing the next generation of superfood using the power of fungi and deep-tech fermentation to produce sustainable, delicious, and highly nutritional food.

Daika gives a solution
to the huge amounts of unutilized wood waste streams by offering a sustainable alternative to wood and plastics, offering a versatile material that offers mass manufacturing potential and true design freedom.

Antidote is creating the first AI based virtual HMO, designed for the 38 million uninsured Americans.

Developing technology
to fight pests with pests.

Immunyx Pharma has developed a platform technology for neutrophil modulation in chronic disease.

The Process

Online Application & Interview

Conducted by the ASPER-HUJI Innovate team

Investors Speed-Dating Day

All 12 semi-finalists will receive a unique opportunity to meet with top investors for one-on-one meetings.

Final Event

The 5 finalists will pitch at The Hebrew University Board of Governors meeting in front of dozens of respected and senior executives from around the world who will select the winner.

Timeline

Feb 20 - Mar 23

Registration

May 9

Investors Speed-Dating

May 23

Semi finalists announced

May 29

Finalists announced

Jun 13

Final pitch competition

Registration

Semi finalists announced

Investors Speed-Dating

Finalists announced

Final pitch competition

Eligibility

  • At least one of the founders is a Hebrew University Student / Faculty Member / Alumni or the technology is based on Hebrew University IP
  • Aiming to solve one of the targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)
  • An Incorporated company - 2019 and onwards
  • Raised a pre-seed/ seed round or generates revenue (at least $100K ARR)
  • Technology based

Judging
Criteria

  • High potential for large-scale positive impact
  • Innovative technology
  • Problem-solution fit
  • Pitch & presentation quality

MEET THE VCs

Dana Bublil

Investment Manager
Target global

Sandrine Montsma

Managing Partner
Bridges Israel

Itay Rand

General Partner
10D

Barak Ben-Eliezer

Founder and Managing Partner
Deep Insight

Frayda Leibtag

Partner, Head of Investor Relations and Communications
PICO Venture Partners

Gil Shai

Venture Partner - Climate
Meron Capital

Liat Sverdlov

Investment Partner
Ourcrowd

Michal Drayman

Venture Partner
JVP

Guy Zinman

Principal,
Grove Ventures

Ilan Ron

Partner,
JVP

The Organizers

ASPER-HUJI Innovate

ASPER-HUJI Innovate – The Hebrew University’s center for innovation and entrepreneurship, leverages the University’s innovation potential to solve substantial problems through entrepreneurship. The center promotes the University as a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset and skills among students, researchers and staff and serves as a catalyst for the development of startups and social enterprises.
Learn More

the Asper Foundation

Founded in 1983 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada by Israel Asper, O.C., O.M., Q.C., L.L.D. (1932 – 2003) and Babs Asper (1933 – 2011) who believed that philanthropy is a driving force behind positive change in people’s quality of life. The Asper Foundation supports major initiatives in the areas of Jewish charity as well as culture, education, community development and human rights locally, nationally, and internationally.
Learn More
Terms & Conditions

Have a Question? Contact: asperprize@innovate.huji.ac.il