Arab-Israeli entrepreneurs paired with Ottawa startups

Posted: Jan 12, 2016 5:30 AM ET

Last Updated: Jan 12, 2016 7:16 AM

ET Members of Ottawa startup iNano Medical Inc. hope meetings arranged with Israeli medical device firms will lead to collaboration and potential partnerships. (iNano Medical Inc.) A dozen Israeli innovation firms including clean-tech, natural resources, medical device and security companies are taking part in matchmaking sessions with entrepreneurs from Ottawa and Toronto this week. The visitors come from Israel's northern Galilee region, which has a large Arab population. They'll meet with local startup firms looking to collaborate and form partnerships, according to Henri Rothschild, president of the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation. "The Arab community of Israel ... hasn't been as prominent in the [nation's] success as it has the potential to be," said Rothschild. "With this kind of exposure, I believe we can build important bridges across the Middle East." Rothschild's group is funded by both the federal and Ontario governments, and by the government of Israel. 'With this kind of exposure, I believe we can build important bridges across the Middle East.'- Henri Rothschild, president of the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation Entrepreneur Kyle Liu is one of the Ottawa CEOs who has meetings set up with Israeli medical device firms this week. Liu's startup, iNano Medical Inc., creates neuro-stimulation technology to help in anesthetics. Liu said he's excited about the potential for collaboration.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/arab-israeli-entrepreneurs-paired-with-ottawa-startups-1.3398992