iHLS Startup Accelerator, organised by Israel Homeland Security (iHLS), is inviting start-ups that work in the fields of security and defence, cyber and information security, unmanned systems and robotics, and is looking for civilian technologies that can be used in the security sphere. Cyient, a Hyderabad-based supplier of engineering design services, is one of the defence accelerator’s chief proponents.

The programme, the first start-up accelerator in the security and homeland security field, puts a major emphasis on the advancement of defence technological projects.

Defence and security start-ups working with autonomous vehicles, or dealing with artificial intelligence, deep learning, machine learning, nanotechnology, geospatial systems, blockchain, electro-optics, aerodynamics, video analytics, aerial defence and more, are invited to join the fourth cycle of the accelerator.

Key advantages

The accelerator will offer start-ups market recognition, international exposure, access to investors and ability to raise funds, and aims to remove the entry barriers to leading defence industries, the military and the police worldwide and in Israel.

Sponsored by some of the major Israel defence giants such as Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, Incubit-Elbit Systems’ Incubator, other sponsors include US defenxe contractor Raytheon, New York-based analytics company Verint Systems and India’s Cyient.

The start-ups could get access to the accelerator’s security ecosystem such as Israel’s Ministry of Defence, as well as global and Israeli defence giants.

The accelerator is managed by Tal Catran, one of the pioneers of the Israeli accelerator realm, with vast experience in guiding and accompanying entrepreneurs and start-ups. The four-month-long programme is custom-built for start-up companies that have reached an advanced stage.

The accelerator will accept 5-15 start-ups to each cycle after three stages of selection, and they will be provided constant support by the Israeli and international partners.