Energy Innovation Gets $4.2M Boost From Israeli Grants Program

Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced Sunday that it is awarding NIS 13.4 million (approximately $4.2 million) in grants to 18 pioneering energy startups, marking a major step in the country’s push to lead in renewable innovation, clean technology, and infrastructure efficiency.

The initiative, part of a national call for proposals, supports both early-stage research and advanced demonstration projects across sectors including electricity, electric mobility, water management, mining, energy storage, and alternative fuels. The grants are set for an initial two-year period, with an option for one-year extensions.

“The goal of the program is to promote innovation in the Israeli energy sector both through the development of new technologies and through the demonstration of technologies that have matured to an application stage,” the ministry stated. Projects must prove viability under real-world Israeli market and regulatory conditions.

Seven projects were selected under the startup track for prototype development, while 11 others received funding through the pioneer and demonstration tracks. These include projects already poised for market entry, enabling faster deployment and impact.

Among the most promising is eStreet Company, which will pilot a solution that integrates electric vehicle charging stations into existing urban light poles. The idea is to address the growing challenge of EV infrastructure in densely populated areas without private parking. By leveraging existing streetlight networks, the project hopes to minimize installation costs and align with municipal needs.

In the agriculture-tech space, Solarwin received a grant for its smart solar shading system tailored for jojoba plantations. Using solar panels mounted on adjustable frames, the technology combines crop cultivation with clean energy production known as agro-voltaics. Smart sensors and AI-driven control systems dynamically adjust shading to balance crop needs and electricity generation, improving water conservation and land-use efficiency.

BSP, another recipient, is developing a buoy-based system capable of generating electricity from shallow ocean waves as little as 20 centimeters deep. The technology is particularly well-suited for Israel’s coastal conditions and represents a novel solution for small-scale, renewable marine power.

Meanwhile, the MGSI Partnership is using satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to modernize quarry monitoring. Its system can remotely track mining activity, measure volumes, and streamline regulatory oversight saving costs while enhancing transparency.

Additional grants support technologies such as hydrogen extraction from industrial flares, satellite-based mining surveillance, and accelerators for artificial intelligence applications in the energy sector. One standout project will receive NIS 1.5 million (around $470,000) to advance hydrogen production, while an AI accelerator will get NIS 870,000 ($274,000).

The grants were awarded by the Ministry’s Chief Scientist Unit and represent the strongest response yet to a national energy R&D call. Over twice as many proposals were submitted this year compared to previous rounds a sign of Israel’s rising momentum in clean energy innovation.

“Our call for early- and advanced-stage industrial research and development is an important means of promoting Israeli industry and helping them overcome the main barriers to growing a business in the energy sector,” said Prof. Brian Rosen, the ministry’s chief scientist.

Additional funding rounds are being explored in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Israel’s Cleanup Fund. These future initiatives may focus on waste-to-energy, alternative fuels, green hydrogen, agro-voltaics, and educational initiatives.

Israel continues to prove that it is not only a startup nation but also a clean tech leader. Share this story or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on how Israeli innovation is powering a more sustainable tomorrow.