Start JLM brings together innovative, early-stage startup founders from around the globe to explore and experience Jerusalem’s vibrant startup ecosystem. This is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect and benefit from interaction with prominent local tech leaders in a 7-day immersive program, featuring interactive fireside chats and panels, specially designed how-to workshops, site visits at leading companies and exclusive networking meet-ups with the city’s start-up community. The program is running for the second year now after a phenomenal success last year.
Start JLM 2018 competition in Switzerland
The Embassy of Israel in Bern, in association with the Sachs Forum in Basel, will be hosting this year’s competition. The startups will be invited to attend the 18th Annual Biotech in Europe Forum, on the 5th of October, where they will pitch their venture to a selected jury of experts.
The 18th Annual Biotech in Europe Forum is recognized as the leading international stage for those interested in investing and partnering in the biotech and life science industry. This highly transactional event draws together an exciting cross-section of early-stage/pre-IPO, late-stage and public companies with leading investors, analysts, money managers and pharma licensing executives.
Application Requirements & Process
2018’s focus will be on Swiss startups in the areas of life sciences, digital health, medtech, healthcare IT, and assistive technology.
Criteria:
- Startups that produce not only business value but also create social impact.
- Startups that are registered in Switzerland.
- The company should be at an early stage, pre-seed/seed, financed through grant/angel, pre series A and have at least a primary product.
- Ideally, startup founders should be between 24 and 35 years old.
- The person to go to Israel needs to be the, or one of the, founders of the startup. This is a key criterion and only one founder of the winning startup will be invited.
Process:
Stage 1: All Founders are required to fill in an online application form, including information about their idea, product, team and current stage (see application form below).
Stage 2: Following initial screening of the applicants, the Embassy will invite the most promising founders to pitch at the 18th Annual Biotech in Europe Forum in Basel on October 5.
Stage 3: The winner will visit Israel for a 7-day Start JLM program in Jerusalem from November 11 to 17, 2018. In addition, Swiss journalists will be invited to accompany the winning startup during their trip to Jerusalem.
Start JLM Program Agenda (November 11 to 17, 2018)
The program will expose participants to many of the issues that relate to startups and successful tech companies and will comprise high-end content and mentoring by the leading movers and shakers of the Jerusalem innovation scene.
The workshops will include 7 main pillars:
• #JLMstars - Inspiring and mind-opening talks from the most prominent entrepreneurs and investors in the Jerusalem startup scene, such as Ellie Wurtman, Pini Lozowick, and many more.
• #FastForward - A unique glance into the future of innovation with some world-renowned visionaries and innovators such as Saul Singer and Jon Medved.
• #ThinkDifferent - Immersive, hands-on workshops led by local experts. These workshops, all of Israeli origin and invented by Israeli entrepreneurs, will expose the StartJLM2018 participants to innovative thinking methods and new collaboration exercises.
• #BioFeed - State of the art lectures by entrepreneurs and professors such as professor Yaacov "Kobi" Nahmias, Dr. Yaron Danieli and professor Oded Shoseyov showcasing the latest innovations in biotech.
• #SiteVisits - Fascinating tours throughout the key players in Israel and particularly in Jerusalem such as Orcam, TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries and more.
• #NetworkingJLM - Meetups, speed-dating and mentor sessions aimed at expanding the participants’ network and enhance the connection to the Jerusalem startup ecosystem.
In addition, the participants will be exposed to Jerusalem’s history, culture and charm.
• #WarmWelcoming - Intimate encounters with Israeli leaders.
• #JLMvibe - Buzzing social/professional events and special dinners that will expose the StartJLM participants to the unique Jerusalem communities and people.
• #Fun&Tours - Insightful and breathtaking tours around Jerusalem's prime locations and tourist attractions.
**The program’s costs are fully funded by the organizers.
Why Jerusalem? Jerusalem is one of the fastest growing tech hubs. It is the leading city in Israel for life science innovation with over 150 companies in this field including Orcam, TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries, Medinol, Oridion (acquired by Covidien), Omrix (acquired by Johnson & Johnson), Sigma Aldrich and many others. Jerusalem’s multicultural energy has created a unique environment for creators and innovators to connect and bring their world-changing ideas together.
Why Israel? Israel is recognized globally as the “Start-Up Nation,” a major hub for technology and innovation. Through its wealth of human capital, Israel has generated more startup companies than most large industrial nations. In addition, Israel has attracted over twice as much venture capital investment per capita as the US, and 30 times more than all the members of the European Union combined.