R2i is a multi-stakeholder initiative to Connect organizations, investors, and individuals within our community to Israeli Companies to improve our quality of life. It will connect Israeli startups that want to expand into the US market with local entities to establish Business Partnerships and increase activity and collaboration.
Initiated by consulting firm Strategic Interests (www.strategicinterests.com) and local impact VC Excell NY (www.excellny.com) and sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Rochester, Greater Rochester Enterprises, IP.com and Tech Rochester, activities will be coordinated with entities within and affiliated with the Government of Israel (Israel Export Institute, the US Based Economic Missions, and Startup Nation Central). These events will be coordinated with regional economic development organizations such as Greater Rochester Enterprises (www.rochesterbiz.com/About-GRE-Old.com) and Empire State Development (https://esd.ny.gov/) to help us convey the value of doing business with our region and to encourage participation and creative approaches among the companies that make our region so strong.
The first event will be held as a Virtual Exchange on November 19 and will focus on digital health. Israel has an especially prolific army of digital health startups and our region has a strong history of innovation and collaboration in healthcare.