Monday, December 22, 2008

Kinrot signs cooperation agreement with California water incubator

The Kinrot Incubator recently signed a cooperation agreement with a California water technology incubator: the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator.

WET is based on California State University's Fresno campus. Established in 2007, WET is a $5 million partnership between Fresno State, the International Center for Water Technology, and the Central Valley Business Incubator.

In an interview with Globes, Kinarot CEO Assaf Barnea described the cooperation agreement between Kinrot and WET. "The cooperation between us is on three levels: joint research, joint development based on innovative technology, and marketing water technology. The significance for us is the joint marketing of the products. The American incubator is like an industrial park, and the firms in our portfolio that want to meet other firms will find partners willing to listen there. We'll join in meeting potential investors. The water technology market is very conservative, and you have to form close ties in order to make sales."

Vancouver-based Stern Partners acquired Kinrot in 2006.

In June, Kinarot signed an agreement with the city of Los Angeles on water technology. The agreement will allow Israeli start-ups to use Los Angeles Department of Water & Power facilities for pilot projects.

Related Posts:

Los Angeles and Israel to cooperate on water research

U.S. Army venture fund looks to Israel for water technologies

Kinrot incubator names Assaf Barnea as CEO