BIRD Foundation

BIRD Foundation represents the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development initiative, established in 1977 through a collaborative effort between the United States and Israeli governments. The foundation's core mission focuses on facilitating and enhancing industrial research and development activities that provide mutual advantages to both nations. Through its distinctive matching grant program and specialized matchmaking services, BIRD creates valuable connections between Israeli and American companies engaged in joint R&D ventures. Unlike traditional investors, the foundation does not acquire equity stakes in supported projects, instead implementing a revenue-based repayment model that activates only when projects generate actual income, demonstrating their commitment to risk-sharing partnerships.

With over four decades of operation, the BIRD Foundation has cultivated an impressive portfolio spanning diverse high-tech sectors including Agriculture, Communications, Life Sciences, Electronics, Electro-optics, Software, Homeland Security, and Renewable Energy. This broad industry coverage allows the foundation to support innovation across critical technological domains while maintaining flexibility to adapt to emerging market trends. The foundation typically funds approximately 20 collaborative projects annually, carefully selecting ventures with strong potential for commercial success and bilateral benefits. Since its inception, BIRD has approved more than 940 joint projects between leading American and Israeli companies, contributing significantly to technological advancement and economic growth in both countries.

The foundation's impact extends well beyond project funding, with cumulative sales of products developed through BIRD-supported initiatives exceeding an impressive $10 billion. This remarkable commercial success underscores the effectiveness of the BIRD model in translating research collaborations into market-ready products and services. The foundation's portfolio includes partnerships with numerous industry leaders and prestigious organizations including American Red Cross, Applied Materials, Bayer Pharmaceutical, General Electric, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Texas Instruments, and many others. These collaborations demonstrate BIRD's ability to facilitate meaningful connections between established corporations, research institutions, and innovative startups across the technological ecosystem.

Companies seeking support from the BIRD Foundation gain access to a comprehensive suite of services designed to maximize partnership potential and project success. Beyond financial assistance, BIRD offers valuable matchmaking capabilities to help identify ideal strategic partners with complementary technological capabilities or market access. The foundation's unique funding approach, which requires repayment only from successful commercialization, creates a low-risk opportunity for companies to pursue innovative collaborations that might otherwise seem too uncertain. This model has proven particularly beneficial for startups and established organizations looking to expand their innovation capabilities through international partnerships while managing development costs and risks effectively.