MaxOvary, a startup that has developed an innovative technology to treat gynecological disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome, won the S7-NSC competition held this week in Beersheba, winning a $50,000 prize. The competition featured a range of startups from the southern ecosystem in the fields of health, cyber and robotics. The top three places were all female-led startups.
Organized by Synergy7 and Merage Foundation Israel, the award-winning startup competition aimed to promote and support the most promising tech startups operating in the Negev in the fields of health, cyber and robotics.
The winner of the competition, MaxOvary, received a $50,000 grant from the Jonathan Merage Foundation as part of the Merage Foundation Israel’s efforts to foster a regional tech ecosystem in the Negev region. MaxOvary is developing an innovative technology for the treatment of gynecological diseases.
The company offers minimally invasive, affordable and disposable solutions designed to significantly improve the treatment of chronic diseases. Unlike existing treatments, which are lengthy, difficult and costly, MaxOvary’s solution aims to provide a breakthrough treatment with long-term results. The company’s first indication focuses on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a common medical condition that significantly impacts women’s health and fertility.
Jonathan Merage said at the launch of the competition: “It was inspiring and impressive to see the startups operating in the Negev who are creating solutions that will be used around the world. The choice was difficult as every startup that applied to this competition will have a global impact. Innovation coming out of the Negev cannot be taken for granted and we must continue to invest here. This competition was a real eye-opener for me.”
The event, held at the Gab Yam Negev complex, allowed entrepreneurs to present their innovative solutions to a prestigious panel of judges, including tech companies and investment organisations from the southern ecosystem.
“We know that the Negev truly is the future of Israeli innovation,” said Harel Lamm, CEO of Synergy 7. “This competition was an important step in positioning Beersheba as a leading center of innovation and economic growth.”
“Merage Foundation Israel has been working in the Negev for decades. Working with partners from different sectors, we have succeeded in making the Negev a global hub of innovation and technology that attracts learning and interest from around the world, especially from countries facing climate challenges,” said Nicole Hod-Stroh, CEO of Merage Foundation Israel.
We are pleased with our partnership in this competition that will help another startup from the Negev advance. We are happy and proud that the finalist startups were women. We all need to work harder to help women reach these positions.”
The finalist startups were the best among the dozens of candidates who applied to participate in the competition, and they were also the ones that presented the most advanced products and the broadest vision for future company growth.
The finalists also include:
– Vflow – A start-up founded at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, developing a stent specifically for cerebral veins. Although the company focuses on the blood vessels of the brain, its technology can be applied to other parts of the body. The stent is uniquely designed to treat cerebral venous stenosis, allowing the stent to be easily monitored through the required venous anatomy. This development provides a groundbreaking and innovative solution to the problem of treating cerebrovascular disease.
– Queen Dee – a system developed and designed to take the field of artificial pollination to the next level. The device offers farmers an innovative solution that combines the precise collection and distribution of pollen in greenhouses, with image processing capabilities to evaluate different parameters important for crop yield. This development is a small device carried by drones to maximize pollen collection and monitor to maximize crop yield.
Founded in May 2023, Synergy7 operates an innovation lab in Beersheba, advancing key areas such as healthcare and biotechnology, robotics and cyber. The company is backed by the Innovation Authority and is owned by leading entities including Elbit Systems, Clalit Health Services – Soroka Medical Center, Dell Technologies, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, BGN Technologies, Mol Applied Research and Merage Foundation Israel.
About Merage Foundation Israel: Merage Foundation Israel is a family charitable foundation founded by David and Laura Merage and has been active in Israel since 1998. The Foundation seeks to strengthen diverse Israeli society by enhancing the pioneering spirit, groundbreaking entrepreneurship and unity of Israelis through programs in Negev development, immigration and national resilience, addressing a range of social and economic sectors.
Since its inception, the Foundation has positioned the Negev as a key growth engine for Israel and has led numerous initiatives for the development of the Negev over the years. The Foundation is focused on leading a model to strengthen the Negev’s growth engine and transform it into an international hub of innovation and tourism.
