MassChallenge Israel

What MassChallenge Israel does

MassChallenge Israel is the Jerusalem-based regional hub of MassChallenge, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accelerator founded in 2009 in Massachusetts. Established in 2017 and operating from 10 Jaffa Street in Jerusalem, the Israel hub delivers hybrid programming that connects early-stage Israeli founders to MassChallenge's global network of 3,000+ experts, 500+ corporate partners, and 5,000+ alumni startups across the healthcare, defense, climate, fintech, and sustainable food sectors. The Israel Board of Directors includes Managing Director Motti Sigel, Tammy Mahn, William Schnoor (Goodwin Procter LLP), and Yonit Serkin, anchoring the hub to local venture and corporate advisory networks.

The organization runs a zero-equity accelerator model with two primary program structures: the industry-agnostic Traction Program for pre-seed to Series A startups focused on go-to-market validation and commercial readiness, and Challenge Programs matching mid-to-late stage startups with corporate partners in five systems-critical challenge areas (Healthcare & Life Sciences, Security & Resiliency, Sustainable Food Systems, Climate, and Global Financial Systems). All programs are free for selected startups, with no equity taken and no application fees. Custom challenge programs include partnerships with BAE Systems, US Air Force Labs & Banshee, Verizon, AARP, ISS National Lab, and P&G. The Switzerland hub offers up to CHF 1M in non-dilutive prizes across its sustainability tracks (Agtech & Foodtech, Materials & Industry, Healthtech).

Revenue is generated through a blended nonprofit funding model combining corporate partnership program fees, philanthropic donations and grants (501(c)(3), EIN 27-0382989), and competition prize distribution. Programs are delivered through the proprietary accelerate.masschallenge.org platform, which supports global applications, startup profile management, and program delivery across hubs in Boston (global HQ), Dallas, Jerusalem, Renens (Switzerland), and London. Since 2009, MassChallenge alumni have collectively raised $16B+ in follow-on capital and created 90K+ jobs; the Switzerland program alone has accelerated 1,175+ startups raising $2.9B+ and connected 2,800+ applicants to corporate partners over six years through the Sustainable Food challenge.

Name

MassChallenge Israel

Legal name

MassChallenge, Inc.

Website

https://masschallenge.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MassChallenge Israel is the Jerusalem-based regional hub of MassChallenge, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accelerator running zero-equity programs that connect early-stage startups with corporate partners, mentors, and investors across five systems-critical sectors including healthcare, climate, defense, fintech, and sustainable food.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator programs
• Zero-equity accelerators
• Corporate innovation partnerships
• Venture development programs
• Nonprofit entrepreneurship support

Headquarters

HQ city

Jerusalem

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnership Programs: MassChallenge generates revenue through structured corporate partnership programs where companies collaborate on challenges, source startups, and support innovation initiatives. Partners gain access to vetted startup innovations and co-innovation opportunities.
2. Philanthropic Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, MassChallenge receives donations, grants, and sponsorships. Their blended funding model leverages philanthropy to support equity-free startup programs. EIN: 27-0382989.
3. Competition Prize Funding: Cash awards and in-kind prizes provided to top startups through competition model. MassChallenge does not take equity but facilitates prize distribution to winners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

MassChallenge Israel delivers zero-equity hybrid accelerator programs for early-stage and mid-to-late-stage startups from its Jerusalem hub. Its core offering consists of two program types: the Traction Program (industry-agnostic, go-to-market accelerator for pre-seed to Series A founders) and Challenge Programs (industry-specific, partner-driven accelerators matching startups with corporate partners across healthcare, security, climate, sustainable food, and fintech verticals). All programs are non-dilutive and include mentorship, expert matching, networking events, and opportunities for non-dilutive cash prizes.

Product overview

MassChallenge is a global nonprofit accelerator network providing zero-equity programs for early-stage startups across five systems-critical challenge areas: Healthcare & Life Sciences, Security & Resiliency, Sustainable Food Systems, Climate, and Global Financial Systems. The organization operates through two primary accelerator models—the industry-agnostic Traction Program for pre-seed to Series A founders focused on go-to-market and validation, and the partner-driven Challenge Program matching later-stage startups with corporate partners for co-innovation. MassChallenge delivers programs through four regional hubs (U.S., Switzerland, Israel, and UK), each offering hybrid programming with in-person bootcamps and virtual curriculum. Switzerland operates three specialized sustainability tracks in Agtech & Foodtech, Materials & Industry, and Healthtech, while the UK hub focuses on AI, Autonomy & Cybersecurity. Additional custom challenge programs include partnerships with BAE Systems, Deloitte, Verizon, and AARP, among others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traction Program Go-to-market and commercial readiness program for early-stage founders (pre-seed to Series A), providing access to mentors, domain experts, and peer networks to validate approaches and build market credibility. Zero-equity, no fees.
• Challenge Program Partner-driven accelerator matching industry-specific mid-to-late stage startups with powerhouse corporate partners to co-create solutions and scale impact across healthcare, security, climate, food, and fintech verticals.
• Israel Accelerator

Quantifiable outcome

• 65%+ pilot conversion rate for healthcare startups
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

47 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• AmazonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon is part of MassChallenge's 500+ global ecosystem partners, contributing tools, insights, distribution, and ecosystem access for startup community
• GooglemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle collaborates with MassChallenge providing tools and platform access for startup ecosystem
• HubSpotmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHubSpot is a collaborator providing tools, discounted services, and ecosystem access for MassChallenge startups
• GitHubmajorTechnology or IntegrationGitHub provides developer tools and platform access as part of MassChallenge collaboration ecosystem
• Greentown LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreentown Labs is a collaborator in the MassChallenge ecosystem, connecting climate and sustainability startups with resources and mentorship
• BioNTXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioNTX is a collaborator in the healthcare and life sciences ecosystem, providing industry expertise and connections
• Health WildcatterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth Wildcatters is a collaborator providing healthcare-specific expertise and startup support
• Mercury BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercury Bank provides banking services and fintech ecosystem connections for startups
• ZendeskminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZendesk provides customer service tools and platform access for startup ecosystem
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)majorTechnology or IntegrationAWS provides cloud infrastructure, tools, and credits as part of MassChallenge collaboration
• Citizens BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitizens Bank collaborates on financial innovation challenges and fintech startup support
• DeloittemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeloitte provides expertise for commercial space programs and corporate innovation initiatives
• Eli LillymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEli Lilly collaborates on healthcare and life sciences innovation challenges
• MassMutualmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassMutual is a long-standing partner in financial innovation and insurance-tech
• Mitsubishi CorpmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMitsubishi Corp collaborates on innovation challenges and corporate partnership programs
• SharkNinjamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSharkNinja partners on consumer products innovation challenge with university student innovators
• The HartfordmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hartford collaborates on insurance innovation and fintech challenges
• BAE SystemsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAE Systems runs deep-tech accelerator and supports dual-use innovation for national security
• BCBS MA (Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCBS MA collaborates on healthcare innovation challenges and health equity initiatives
• DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCU partners on financial innovation and credit union ecosystem development
• MITREmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMITRE runs social innovation mentorship program for underrepresented founders with access to government markets
• US Air ForcemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS Air Force runs Air Force Labs & Banshee program for dual-use startups with pathway to contracts and SBIR/STTR funding
• MIT Lincoln LaboratorymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT LL is a partner in security and resiliency challenge areas with access to research capabilities
• VerizonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVerizon runs Community Disaster Resilience Innovation Accelerator with 5G-powered technology focus
• TakedamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTakeda collaborates on healthtech innovation with focus on minimizing environmental impact
• VertexmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVertex partners on health equity through startup-driven healthcare innovations
• AutodeskmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutodesk collaborates on climate intelligence with focus on architecture, engineering, and construction industries
• BühlercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBühler is a key partner in sustainable food systems, advancing food processing innovation globally with CHF 260B+ combined partner revenue
• GivaudancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGivaudan drives innovation across flavor, fragrance, and wellbeing as MassChallenge sustainable food challenge partner
• LDC (Louis Dreyfus Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLDC strengthens global agricultural systems through innovation, sponsors LDC Impact Prize for food and agriculture supply chain solutions
• MarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMars advances responsible innovation across food and pet care systems as sustainable food challenge partner
• SIG GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIG Group leads packaging solutions for food and beverage industry in sustainable food challenge
• dsm-firmenichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerdsm-firmenich contributes to sustainable food and materials processing innovation
• NovonesiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovonesis participates in Switzerland sustainable food challenge programs
• PM InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPM International contributes to Switzerland hub partner ecosystem
• Altus DentalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAltus Dental partners on oral healthcare innovation and MassChallenge programs
• Mass Bankers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMass Bankers Association collaborates on fintech innovation and banking ecosystem development
• Mass FinTech HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMass FinTech Hub supports fintech innovation ecosystem in Massachusetts
• Innovation Centre DenmarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation Centre Denmark supports cross-border innovation collaboration
• Brandeis University InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrandeis International supports innovation ecosystem through MassChallenge collaboration
• Columbia ThreadneedleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbia Threadneedle supports financial innovation initiatives
• FinTech SandboxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinTech Sandbox MIT provides fintech innovation infrastructure and resources
• LHP (Lyda Hill Philanthropies)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLHP supports science and healthcare innovation through MassChallenge programs
• AARPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAARP runs AgeTech Challenge for tech solutions for aging population with access to 240+ partner network
• P&G (Procter & Gamble)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerP&G runs Home Cleanovation Challenge for fabric and home care innovation with $10K cash prize
• ISS National LabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISS National Lab runs Technology in Space Prize offering up to $500K non-dilutive funding for research on International Space Station
• BoeingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing partners with ISS National Lab on Technology in Space Prize program

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Y Combinator: Pioneer equity-taking startup accelerator with a global applicant base. Directly comparable as a multi-stage accelerator competing for the same top founders and offering a competing value proposition (capital vs. zero-equity).
• Techstars: Global accelerator network with corporate-driven challenge programs and equity participation. Closely mirrors MassChallenge's corporate partnership + challenge program model and targets similar early-stage founders.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Large corporate-driven accelerator with vertical-specific programs in fintech, health, and brand & retail. Operates a partner-funded challenge structure directly analogous to MassChallenge's Challenge Programs.
• 500 Global: Global venture firm with accelerator operations and seed programs across multiple geographies. Comparable as a multinational founder-support platform with similar sector and geographic reach.
• Antler: Global early-stage investor and accelerator with presence across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Directly comparable as an internationally distributed founder-support platform running cohort-style programs.
• Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator with corporate-partner-backed vertical programs (FinTech, Health, Smart Cities). Operates a similar partner-driven cohort accelerator model in multiple geographies.
• MedTech Innovator: Largest medical-device-focused accelerator globally. Directly comparable as a sector-specialized zero-equity accelerator serving healthcare founders—the same core vertical MassChallenge highlights with its 65%+ healthcare pilot conversion metric.

Broad incumbents

• SOSV: Multi-stage venture firm operating accelerator programs (HAX, IndieBio, dlab) across deep-tech and life-sciences verticals. Overlaps with MassChallenge's deep-tech and healthcare challenge focus.

Emerging players

• Greentown Labs: Largest climate-tech startup incubator in North America. Comparable as a vertical-specific accelerator in MassChallenge's Climate and Sustainable Food Systems challenge areas.
• Entrepreneur First: Talent-first accelerator backing deep-tech founders globally. Comparable as a deep-tech-focused, internationally distributed accelerator targeting similar pre-seed founders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/masschallenge
• Xx.com/masschallengeil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments64 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MassChallenge Israel