The port of Ashdod, located about 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, next to the mouth of the Lachish River, is one of Israel's two main cargo ports. It is an important entry point for cargo and arrivals and departures of tourists in and out of Israel, as well as for imported military equipment.
Recently, Ashdod Port announced a $2 million investment in three startups in a move aimed at fostering innovation at its facilities. The funding was approved by the port’s board of directors but is still subject to clearance by the Government Enterprises Authority.
The investment follows a tradition that began in 2021, when a technology incubator was set up in the port through which it has already supported more than 90 startups in areas such as operations, logistics and security.
The three startups selected were Makalu Optics, which develops advanced LiDAR technology for multiple applications, Treedis, which offers an advanced digital solution based on virtual and augmented reality, and Flyz Robotics, which has created an autonomous miniature drone system with unique capabilities.