Netivei Israel to Invest NIS 10 Million a Year in Local Startups

Netivei Israel, formerly the National Roads Company of Israel, is launching a new division dealing with innovation and strategy led by Hila Hadad-Hamalnik, the company announced Monday. The purpose of the new division is to increase the use of technology in the transportation infrastructure in Israel.

"Studies and research around the world have shown that using advanced technologies for handling, monitoring, developing, and maintaining infrastructure can lead to a significant change in how the general public experiences and uses transport. Our goal is to ensure that the world-renowned startup nation embeds these principles in its own territory as well," Hadad-Hamalnik said in a statement. Hadad-Hamalnik previously served as the vice president of projects at the Ministry of Transport.

The new division will focus on three main areas: a pilot program to continuously implement new technologies to handle existing infrastructure, transport management, and initiating extensive research programs. The annual budget for the new division will be about NIS 10 million ($2.83 million).

The new division will appeal to the Israeli and international smart mobility community, emphasizing flexibility and workability with the startup community.

"Establishing an innovation and strategy division is part of the company's strategic vision, and is one of our core areas of activity as the national transportation infrastructure company, to ensure the public that we provide the best value for money—in terms of safety, congestion reduction, and advanced infrastructure," said in a statement.