Business Wire

500 Global and Ashdod Port Company Unveil Batch 1 of the Ashdod Accelerator by 500

Share

500 Global, a leading global venture capital firm, and Ashdod Port Company (“Ashdod Port”), the national port of Israel, unveiled today 12 startups in Batch 1 of the Ashdod Port Accelerator by 500. They hail from Israel, with one startup based in Germany.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220612005046/en/

500 Global and Ashdod Port Company partnered in January 2022 to mentor startups and help them test and validate partnership opportunities with Ashdod Port. The Ashdod Port Accelerator by 500 program consisted of 12 weeks of masterclasses and dedicated coaching in areas such as business strategy, sales & marketing, and fundraising from 500 Global’s network of expert mentors. The program is followed by participation in an accelerated proof-of-concept for five to six months, with the potential for investment by Ashdod Port.

Program graduates in this first cohort are addressing solutions to issues in energy, logistics, seaport operations, and shipping. They will continue to work on their proof-of-concept at Ashdod Port through October, with the help of trained port personnel. On June 22, 2022, they will present their initiatives in Ashdod at the Blue Ocean for Startups event, which will also be streamed via webcast to a curated audience of industry leaders and ecosystem players.

This exclusive event features a panel of industry experts who will share insights into the role of startups in shaping innovation, as well as trends and investment opportunities in the maritime sector in Israel and around the world.

“Ashdod Port, The Port of Israel, is proud to be a leader in the innovation industry, providing beta sites for startups and supporting new technologies in the maritime sector. With a goal of being not only the biggest, but also the smartest port in Israel, Ashdod Port has set itself a goal to support innovation. We're proud of our relationship with 500 Global, and to offer one of the only accelerator programs that runs in a port. There is no doubt that the port will become a major player in the ecosystem soon. We are happy to host our Demo Day here at the port on June 22nd, and present to you how, in a short period of time, the program developed momentum and was able to promote the startups in a variety of ways–thanks to the program and the people from the port who accompany them,” said Roy Avrahami, CIO of Ashdod Port.

“Our Ashdod Port Accelerator by 500 is a truly unique initiative, thanks to our partner’s vision and belief that technology can play a central role in modernizing the maritime industry. As a result, Ashdod stands to serve as a model for other ports. Our first batch of startups has gained a solid foundation of corporate partnerships by working with Ashdod Port, and we believe they’re set up for success in Israel and beyond,” said Ee Ling Lim, Executive Director of Global Programs at 500 Global.

"The partnership between 500 Global and Ashdod Port is a groundbreaking collaboration to strengthen the port as a key player in the Israeli innovation ecosystem. The goal of the Ashdod Port Accelerator by 500 is to create a new generation of startups that are able to address the port’s pain points and also be attractive enough to be implemented in other ports around the world. In light of this unique partnership, we look forward to supporting and participating in the upcoming Demo Day that will take place on June 22, 2022,” said Tal Chen, Partner at Deloitte Israel, and Co-Leader of Deloitte Catalyst.

To attend the Blue Ocean for Startups event, please sign up here. Learn more about the event and startups presenting here.

About 500 Global

500 Global is a venture capital firm with $2.7B in assets under management that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth. We work closely with key stakeholders and advise governments and corporations on how best to support entrepreneurial ecosystems so startups can thrive. 500 Global has backed over 5,000 founders representing more than 2,600 companies operating in 81 countries. Our portfolio includes 45 companies valued at over $1 billion and 130+ companies valued at over $100 million. Our 140+ plus team members are located in more than 20 countries and bring experience as entrepreneurs, investors, and operators from some of the world’s leading technology companies.

About Ashdod Port

Ashdod Port, The Port of Israel, is the leading seaport of the State of Israel with a strategically advantageous location. Experiencing growing demand, Ashdod Port has incorporated technological advancements into its operations and has inspired other ports around the world. Ashdod Port has collaborated with other institutions and ports to establish innovation embassies that promote growth within the industry. It frequently invests in new equipment and infrastructure for private and public benefit, and supports promising early stage entrepreneurs to bolster the maritime innovation ecosystem in Israel and globally.

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

Contact information

Felicia Chiriac
Redhill
felicia.chiriac@redhill.asia
+6596445927

About Business Wire

For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

500 Global and Creators HQ Support Creators and Founders Building Startups Collectively Valued at US$130M+13.1.2026 18:00:00 EET | Press release

500 Global, one of the world’s most active Silicon Valley-based venture capital firms1, and Creators HQ, the first content creator hub in the UAE and the Middle East enabling the creator ecosystem globally, announced the Creators Ventures Accelerator program is building and supporting creator-led startups collectively valued at over US$130 million.2 The Creators Ventures Accelerator received over 1,100 applications from content creators and technology startup founders across more than 70 countries. Following a competitive selection process, 21 creators and founders were chosen for the program. This cohort serves a community of 20M+ followers, subscribers, and users across platforms. “Creators represent a growing class of bona fide entrepreneurs, with 50 million creators globally, projected to grow at 10-20% annually over the next 5 years. The first iteration of this industry was built on visibility and virality to monetize. With consumers getting savvier and more discerning, we believe

Nexo Becomes First-Ever Title Partner of the U.S. ATP 500 Dallas Open in Multi-Year Deal13.1.2026 17:30:00 EET | Press release

Nexo, the digital assets wealth platform, has been named the U.S. ATP 500 Dallas Open’s first-ever Title Partner under a multi-year agreement beginning in 2026, as the company advances its long-term brand strategy through leading global sports properties. The partnership was unveiled in Dallas alongside the debut of the Nexo Dallas Open brand and the resurfacing of two public tennis courts in North Texas. As one of only two ATP 500 tournaments in the U.S. and the country’s sole indoor ATP Tour championship, the Dallas Open places Nexo among a limited group of ATP 500 title partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113901822/en/ The Nexo Dallas Open “This partnership with Nexo represents a transformative milestone for the Dallas Open,” said Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs. “Securing a title sponsor of this caliber as we launch into year two as an ATP 500 event continues to elevate our tournament on the gl

Blue Matter Establishes New Capabilities in Biopharma Research & Development Led by Partner, Tara Austraat-Churik13.1.2026 16:01:00 EET | Press release

Blue Matter is pleased to announce that it has established a practice area dedicated to serving clients in biopharmaceutical Research & Development (R&D). The practice is led by Tara Austraat-Churik, a Partner who joined the firm in September 2025. Tara Austraat-Churik has been serving life science clients for more than 20 years. Her areas of expertise include strategy development and implementation, operating model and organizational design, and process optimization in R&D and Medical Affairs. Prior to joining Blue Matter, she served as Managing Director in R&D, Health, Science, and Wellness at EY. She has a robust background in consulting, which also includes roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, Navitas, WPP, and IBM. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Notre Dame and an MSc in Translational Medicine from the University of Edinburgh. The R&D practice, according to Austraat-Churik, exists to help biopharma companies simplify and accelerate the pathway to market. She adds, “R&D organ

Wasabi Raises $70M in New Equity to Power the Next Era of Data Infrastructure13.1.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release

Wasabi Technologies, the Hot Cloud Storage company, today announced a $70 million equity funding round led by L2 Point Management with participation from Pure Storage and existing investors including Fidelity Management & Research Company. The new round values Wasabi at $1.8 billion and brings the company’s total funding to over $600 million. The capital will be used to accelerate Wasabi’s expansion into AI infrastructure, broaden its global footprint, and enhance its product portfolio to meet the growing data demands of enterprises and AI developers worldwide. “We’re ushering in the next generation of cloud storage, powering data-intensive workloads like generative AI and autonomous systems,” said David Friend, co-founder and CEO of Wasabi Technologies. “This funding underscores Wasabi’s strong market position and continued growth as enterprises and AI developers alike seek a better, more predictable alternative to the hyperscalers.” Wasabi disrupted the cloud storage model in 2017 wi

Armis Secures Italy’s Primary Public Healthcare Provider for the City of Naples as Cyber Threats Increase13.1.2026 15:00:00 EET | Press release

Armis, the cyber exposure management & security company, today announced that ASL Napoli 1 Centro, Italy’s primary public healthcare provider for the City of Naples, is securing its attack surface using Armis Centrix™, the Armis Cyber Exposure Management Platform. Prior to working with Armis, ASL Napoli 1 Centro did not have the tools or capabilities to monitor physical and virtual assets in real time, which posed a challenge for its security and compliance. Armis Centrix™ was deployed with a clear goal: to provide ASL Napoli 1 Centro with a comprehensive, real-time view of its connected biomedical inventory and the associated risks to the overall environment. “Time-to-value was practically immediate; Armis began delivering valuable information as soon as the system was activated and connected to our internal network,” said Fulvio Paone, Director of the ICT and Digital Transformation Unit at ASL Napoli 1 Centro. “Armis has given us visibility into a critical area. This isn’t just about

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye