MassChallenge Israel

MassChallenge Israel (Seed)

Supports Israeli startups with no-equity acceleration, corporate engagement, and international venture exposure through MassChallenge Israel.

MassChallenge Israel is the Jerusalem-based hub of MassChallenge, operating since 2016 and described as the largest and most diverse zero-equity accelerator in Israel. The program accepts 30 to 50 companies per annual cohort across all industries — it is not sector-restricted. Startups are accepted from any country, not only Israeli companies; historically over 57 percent of participating companies have come from outside Israel's central region and the alumni roster spans internationally. The program is zero-equity and zero-cost — MassChallenge Israel takes no ownership stake and charges no participation fee.

Participating startups receive more than 100 hours of content sessions, workshops, and events; mentorship from corporate partners, investors, and alumni worldwide; access to shared office space in Jerusalem during the program period; and an international business trip to Boston and New York. Diamond and Platinum partners include the Jerusalem Development Authority as a public-sector co-funder, alongside Kraft Group, Goodwin, Deloitte Catalyst, and Google for Startups. Cumulative program impact through 2026 includes over 400 startups accelerated, $1.7 billion in funding raised by alumni, 43 percent female founders, and 12 exits. No cash prize amounts are publicly stated; the program value is primarily in-kind through mentorship, network access, office space, and the international trip.

The 2026 cohort application dates are embedded in a graphic on the program page and could not be extracted as text; applicants should confirm current cycle deadlines directly at masschallenge.org/programs-israel/ or by contacting Israel@masschallenge.org. A FY2027 cycle follows the same annual cadence. Strong candidates across any sector — hardware, biotech, medtech, software, cleantech — should apply, and the program's track record of placing non-Israeli companies makes it globally relevant.