Water industry executives and venture capitalists from Massachusetts and Israel will work together to select the most promising innovative company for delivering clean and abundant water in the “Water Export Technology (W.E.T.) Revolution Competition.” The competition includes pitches from company finalists, networking opportunities, exhibits, an entertaining program and prizes. This business contest is organized by a water industry trade delegation from Massachusetts, as a highlight of the group’s four-day trip to Israel next month.
The emcee for the competition is Jim Matheson, president and CEO of Oasys Water Inc., and a general partner at Flagship Ventures.
“Judges for the competition are tasked with identifying Israeli water tech companies which are most likely to succeed as they enter the U.S. market,” Matheson said. “We’re looking for a solid business model, compelling technology, a strong management team, a customer track record and demonstrated financial backing. Based upon the applications we’ve already received, we expect an intense competition and an entertaining program.”
The expert panel of judges includes: Earl Jones, partner, Liberation Capital, Massachusetts; Carmichael Roberts, partner, North Bridge Venture Partners, Massachusetts; Chris McIntire, president, Xylem Analytics, Massachusetts; Avner Adin, chair of Environmental Sciences, Hebrew University, Israel; Shimon Tal, former Water Commissioner of Israel; and Henry Charrabé, president and CEO, RWL Water Group, New York.
The featured speaker at the Competition event, addressing the topic “Going Global with Israeli Technology” will be Dr. Orna Berry, corporate vice president and general manager, EMC Israel Center of Excellence. Berry will draw on her accomplished background as chief scientist of the Israel Ministry of Industry and Trade, general partner at Gemini Israel Funds and founding partner of Ornet Data Communications.
The competition winner’s prize package includes airfare and five days of hotel accommodations for the company’s CEO to visit Massachusetts in the spring of 2013. While in the Commonwealth, the CEO will be introduced to potential channel partners, customers, investors, government officials and business partners who can help the company make Massachusetts its home-away-from-home as it enters the U.S. market and leverages the state’s water industry cluster for global market access.
Applications to enter the competition are due by Thursday Nov. 29, 2012. Up to six finalists will be chosen; each will pitch its business plan and technology to the judges and an audience of senior water industry executives at an invitation-only event in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Dec. 18th.
More details are available at www.wet-revolution.com.
