Cutting-edge tech
Startup Nation Technology Fair brings Israel innovation to UD
8:06 a.m., March 24, 2016--When thinking of Israel, the first thing that comes to mind for some may be the turmoil in the region. Others think of falafel or the Dead Sea. Fewer still, despite the large impact the small country has on it, think of technology.
The Startup Nation Technology Fair visited the University of Delaware last month, hoping to introduce students to cutting-edge technology companies and innovative startups in Israel.
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UD is one of only 15 college campuses that the Tech Fair visited this year. The program was made possible by Israel Ideas and Hasbara Fellowships, in partnership with the University of Delaware Hillel.
The event began with a panel featuring three Israeli innovators and was moderated by Dan Freeman, director of the Horn Program in Entrepreneurship at UD.
Through the panel, students heard first-hand about challenges new startups face including growing a user-base and securing financing. It was an unparalleled opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in technology, computer science and business.
The panel was followed by a technology expo in which 15 Israeli start-ups and early stage companies presented themselves. It was a unique opportunity for students to meet entrepreneurs, test out their products, services and technology and learn about internship opportunities.
One of the Israeli companies represented at the fair was Zeekit, a business based on a creative fashion app. The app lets users upload pictures of themselves to try on different outfits in a virtual environment that can eliminate difficult returns after they purchase something online and realize it looks awful on them.
The expo not only featured lifestyle apps but also education apps like Vikki, which works with academic researchers worldwide and turns their cutting edge research into intelligent animated videos that are fun and accessible to everyone.
The Tech Fair allowed students to see how new Israeli technologies are changing the face of the world.
In addition to UD Hillel, Hillel International and Hinenu, the Tech Fair was supported on campus by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, the Horn Program in Entrepreneurship, the UD Honors Program, the Jewish Studies Program, the Career Services Center, the Association for Computing Machinery at UD, the Entrepreneurship Club, Blue Hens for Israel and Israel U.
Israel is ranked among the top five most innovative countries in the world and UD students had a firsthand look at the some of the country’s new technology.
“It was such a great experience to see how entrepreneurs use technology to their advantage,” said Zachary Senzer, one of the 120 students who attended the fair. “Being able to view the impact of technologies on a global market was an exciting opportunity.”
Photos by Evan Krape