Volcani International Partnerships

What Volcani International Partnerships does

Volcani International Partnerships (VIP) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Rishon LeZion, Israel, that operates as the international engagement arm of the Agricultural Research Organization — Volcani Center (ARO), Israel's state agricultural research institute established in 1921. VIP delivers agricultural advisory, capacity-building, technology transfer, research-and-development facilitation, and curated Israel agri-innovation tours to governments, international organizations, and smallholder-to-commercial farmers across the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and other developing regions. Its portfolio includes named programs such as Israel AgriWeb (an online extension platform serving 1,498 participants from 48 Caribbean countries), the Israel-Africa Pioneer Program (a selective two-year entrepreneur support track), Olive Oil for Peace (cross-border Jordanian-Israeli-Palestinian farmer training), and country-specific projects such as The Cultivation Centre in the Bahamas built with the Bahamian Ministry of Agriculture.

VIP's product architecture rests on a co-design methodology: codifying Israeli agricultural expertise (precision agriculture, irrigation, post-harvest management, greenhouse, aquaculture, animal husbandry) and adapting it with local partners for diverse agro-ecological contexts. The proprietary frameworks include the 'Golden Triangle' model embedding farmers in research and private-sector collaboration, the three-component AgriWeb learning system (The Academy webinars, The Lab demonstrations, The Campus alumni network), and operational infrastructure such as the Hoffen Visitor Center (~2,000 visitors/year). Technology transfer is offered as a screening service to identify licensable IP from Israeli R&D institutes for international partners, while R&D facilitation connects external partners with Volcani Center research teams.

The revenue model is non-commercial. VIP is funded through a mix of donations (processed via a US 501(c)(3) entity, Volcani International Partnerships - US, Inc.), foundation grants (notably from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust totaling $8.78M for the AI Center and Model Farm), institutional consortium grants ($5.56M post-harvest loss initiative with FFAR and Rockefeller Foundation), Israeli government support (Ministry of Economy and Industry), and limited fee-for-service advisory engagements. The go-to-market is partnership-driven: government-to-government collaborations (Bahamas, Angola via Tony Blair Institute), international development organization engagement, alumni network cultivation, and high-profile convening (AGRF, diplomatic delegations, 3,000+ stakeholders hosted on Israel agri-tours). Headcount sits at 11-50 employees consistent with a small non-profit operating with a lean core team augmented by expert consultants from the Volcani Center.

Name

Volcani International Partnerships

Legal name

Trustees & Friends of Agricultural Research at the Volcani Center

Website

https://vipartnerships.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Volcani International Partnerships is an Israel-based non-profit that delivers agricultural advisory, capacity-building, and technology-transfer services to governments, international organizations, and farmers across the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East, leveraging expertise from the Volcani Center research institute.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Advisory and International Development Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC)

Keywords

• Agricultural advisory services
• Capacity building programs
• Agricultural technology transfer
• International development consulting
• Agricultural training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rishon Le Zion

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered not-for-profit organization in Israel and a 501(c)(3) in the United States, VIP relies on donations from individuals and organizations. They have a US-based entity (Volcani International Partnerships - US, Inc.) for tax-deductible donations.
2. Foundation and Trust Grants: VIP receives grants from charitable foundations including The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust ($4M for Helmsley AI Center, $4.78M for Sustainable Model Farm), Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research ($5.56M consortium), and Rockefeller Foundation.
3. Government and Institutional Funding: VIP receives support from Israeli government entities including the Ministry of Economy and Industry, and implements programs funded by international development organizations and government-to-government partnerships.
4. Agricultural Advisory and Training Services: VIP provides fee-for-service advisory services, training programs, and technology transfer support to governments and international organizations seeking Israeli agricultural expertise.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Volcani International Partnerships is a nonprofit organization that delivers agricultural advisory, capacity building, technology transfer, and training services connecting governments, international organizations, and farmers worldwide with Israeli agricultural expertise from the Volcani Center. Its offerings include online extension programs (Israel AgriWeb), multi-year entrepreneur support (Israel-Africa Pioneer Program), country-specific projects, agritours, agronomic advisory, and R&D facilitation across the agricultural value chain.

Product overview

Volcani International Partnerships is a non-profit organization that offers a portfolio of services and programs connecting Israeli agricultural expertise with global partners. The core offerings include Israel AgriWeb (an online agricultural extension platform for Caribbean farmers), the Israel-Africa Pioneer Program (a two-year support program for African agricultural entrepreneurs), and specialized services (Technology Transfer, Capacity Building, Agronomic Advisory, R&D Facilitation, and Agri-Innovation Tours). Additional programs include the Olive Oil For Peace cross-border initiative, the Hoffen Visitor Center at the Volcani Institute, scholarship funds for postgraduate research, and country-specific projects like The Cultivation Centre in The Bahamas. The organization does not offer a unified software platform but rather a collection of consultancy-style services, training programs, and international development projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Israel-Africa Pioneer Program (IAPP): A highly selective program for exceptional agricultural entrepreneurs committed to driving change for themselves, their communities and their countries through Israeli agricultural expertise.
• Israel AgriWeb
• Olive Oil for Peace

Products and services

• Israel AgriWeb Online agricultural extension program that provides Caribbean farmers with direct access to Israeli agricultural experts, innovations, and an online support community through live interactive webinars, demonstration videos, and Q&A sessions. Includes The Academy (webinar content), The Lab (physical training), and The Campus (alumni network).
• Israel-Africa Pioneer Program (IAPP) Selective multi-year program for exceptional African agricultural entrepreneurs providing tailored support including agricultural extension, technology transfer, capacity building, and transformation of their farms into demonstration sites for wider communities.
• Technology Transfer

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000+ farmers impacted through VIP programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and emerging.

• Tony Blair Institute for Global ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019VIP partners with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to bring Israeli agricultural expertise to Africa. TBI provides embedded advisors in target governments to support agricultural development priorities while VIP contributes agricultural expertise and innovation capacity. Initial collaboration began in 2019 with Angola project to integrate Israel's Golden Triangle model into Angola's research stations.
• Hebrew University of JerusalemkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP contributes to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Executive Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, sharing high-level insights on Israeli agriculture topics including food safety, poultry, water saving, aquaculture in the desert, and greenhouse management across six lectures to Chinese executives and decision-makers.
• JDC (Joint Distribution Committee)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP partners with JDC on multiple initiatives including the TOV (Tikkun Olam Ventures) Innovation Journey to Ethiopia, the Innovation Journey program, and projects in the Caribbean (Abaco project). JDC provides funding and implementation support while VIP contributes agricultural expertise and advisory services.
• Caribbean Israel Leadership CoalitionkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP partners with the Caribbean Israel Leadership Coalition, led by Ambassador Dr. Andre Thomas, to implement the Israel AgriWeb program in the Caribbean and advance agricultural collaboration between Israel and Caribbean nations.
• AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP co-authored a seminal report with AGRA and the Tony Blair Institute on 'Sharing lessons from Israel's agricultural transformation' launched at AGRF 2019. AGRA is a key partner in advancing agricultural transformation in Africa.
• African Development Bank GroupemergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP met with African Development Bank Group leadership at AGRF 2022 to discuss the TAAT (Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation) programme and share Israeli agricultural experience and insights for African development.
• Growing PeacekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP serves as implementing partner for Growing Peace's hydroponic system in a Tel Aviv food pantry, providing up to 2,100 fresh servings monthly. Growing Peace operates the food pantry while VIP handles agricultural implementation.
• Releaf Inc.emergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP is developing cassava post-harvest management solutions with Releaf Inc. This partnership focuses on agricultural innovation to address post-harvest losses in Nigeria and West Africa.
• Pears Program for Global InnovationkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent partner for the TOV Innovation Journey to Ethiopia, providing expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship curriculum while VIP contributes agricultural advisory knowledge for Israeli agritech partnerships.
• Columbia University Design for Social InnovationemergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP completed research with Columbia University's Design for Social Innovation initiative to create a modular model of agricultural centers of excellence, combining academic research with practical agricultural development.

Scale indicators27 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Farm Africa: UK-based international NGO reducing poverty by helping African farmers grow more, sell more, and protect the environment. Direct peer: comparable target beneficiaries (African smallholders), delivery model (advisory, training, market access), and grant-funded nonprofit structure.
• TechnoServe: International nonprofit that works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. Highly comparable to VIP in serving smallholder farmers, providing advisory/training, and partnering with corporations and foundations across Africa and Latin America.
• Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture: Nonprofit focused on improving smallholder farmer productivity and resilience through innovation, agronomy, and market access in developing countries. Comparable in mission (agricultural innovation transfer to smallholders), revenue mix (foundation grants), and the co-design / contextual adaptation approach VIP emphasizes.
• AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa): Africa-focused agricultural development partnership working with governments, NGOs, and farmers to improve productivity and livelihoods. Direct peer: VIP co-authored a seminal report with AGRA and the Tony Blair Institute on Israel's agricultural transformation, indicating a closely aligned mission and shared partner network.
• Heifer International: Global nonprofit working to end hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture, training smallholder farmers and supporting community-based agricultural development. Comparable business model (donor/grant-funded capacity building) and target beneficiaries (smallholder farmers in developing regions).
• MASHAV (Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation): Israel's official governmental development cooperation agency, sharing Israeli agricultural and technical expertise with developing countries through training, capacity building, and technology transfer. Direct analogue to VIP's mission, with overlapping geographic focus and similar delivery mechanisms (expert missions, training in Israel, advisory to ministries).

Broad incumbents

• CGIAR: Global agricultural research partnership operating international research centers focused on food security, crop improvement, and sustainable agriculture. Comparable to VIP in the agricultural R&D and international development space, but at much greater scale and with a more research-oriented mandate.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): UN specialized agency leading international efforts to defeat hunger, serving as a broad incumbent in the food security and agricultural development space where VIP operates. VIP holds ECOSOC consultative status, indicating direct interaction with FAO's deliberative processes.

Regional players

• WorldFish: International nonprofit research organization working to reduce poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture in developing countries. Comparable in being a CGIAR-aligned, grant-funded organization delivering R&D and capacity building to smallholders, with aquaculture also being one of VIP's service areas.
• icipe (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology): Africa-based scientific research organization developing sustainable pest and vector management solutions for smallholder farmers. Comparable in mission (agricultural R&D for developing regions) and funding mix (foundation grants, government support) but more narrowly focused on insect-based interventions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VIPagriculture
• Facebookfacebook.com/VIPagriculture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/volcaniinternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Volcani International Partnerships