6 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
The Colorado-Israel Chamber of Commerce, a Binational Innovation Gateway
Bridging Innovation Between Dynamic Ecosystems: The Colorado-Israel Business Connection By Jordan Kastrinsky, Co-Founder & Israel Director, Colorado-Israel Chamber of Commerce On a sun-filled morning in a Tel Aviv cafe this past March, I sat across from the founder of an energy tech venture capital firm who was raising a fund to help bring innovative technologies to market. His goal was simple: to support and develop some of the most forward-thinking energy solutions available. He asked me directly, 'Where should we go for partnerships and growth opportunities?' My answer came quickly: Colorado. Not because I was born in Colorado or because I represent the Colorado-Israel Chamber of Commerce. But because I've come to believe that something extraordinary is happening between Colorado and Israel, and it is only beginning to take shape. Together with Jeremiah Baronberg, a fellow Coloradan from Denver, I co-founded the new Colorado-Israel Chamber of Commerce (CO-IL) in February 2024 as a binational platform to bring two thriving, yet under-connected innovation ecosystems closer together. Israel is known globally for its startup ingenuity as The Startup Nation, where its tech firms punch above their weight for such a relatively small country when it comes to investments raised, IPOs, and degree of innovation. Israel is also home to hundreds of international firms' R&D centers. Likewise, Colorado is a U.S. leader in agriculture, energy, aerospace, bioscience, and quantum technologies and home to 33 federally funded national laboratories, making it one of the U.S.'s leading hubs for scientific research and innovation and contributing significantly to the state's economy. Together, Colorado and Israel are well-positioned to turn high-tech breakthroughs into real-world resilience. In building CO-IL, we have stayed true to our business-oriented focus by working in close partnership with both government and industry to help founders identify and engage partners, public agencies find pilot programs, and investors find deals. We've seen how powerful this work can be. At Denver Startup Week, we hosted Colorado-Israeli biotech founders and investors to engage directly with Colorado's entrepreneurial community while discussing lessons learned from Israel's innovation economy. At the Colorado State Capitol, we convened legislators with the CO-IL community around a shared mission: to deepen economic collaboration rooted in innovation and shared goals. Across dozens of meetings, introductions, and follow-ups, we've helped Israeli startups secure meaningful business opportunities and connect with active Colorado investors, universities, municipalities, and major corporations. It is also important to emphasize that the interest comes in both directions—Colorado stakeholders are increasingly looking to Israel not only for advanced solutions but also for resilient partners. In the aftermath of October 7, the Israeli innovation ecosystem has been building under extraordinary pressure. Founders have not stopped even as they rush to the frontlines. If anything, they have accelerated their entrepreneurial ambitions with an acute sense of mission and urgency to forge sustainable partnerships. As Israel faces the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, its resilience—rooted in unity and innovation—is being tested and strengthened in profound ways. That is where Colorado comes in. This year, CO-IL is working to launch two binational flagship initiatives. First, a water-tech accelerator designed to connect Israeli startups with utilities across Colorado for real-world pilot program deployment. Second, a Colorado-Israel cybersecurity business center to provide Israeli cyber-tech companies with a launchpad into the U.S. market and offer Colorado stakeholders early access to tested technologies. These programs point to a new kind of collaborative, business bridge between Colorado and Israel centered around addressing critical, timely challenges through innovation. As we look ahead, CO-IL is working to organize delegations of Colorado and Israeli industry leaders for visits to both regions to meet their Israeli counterparts, tour laboratory and pilot sites, and shape the future of these collaborations. Our vision is to grow Colorado's value as an anchor for Israeli innovation and to champion Israel as a trusted launchpad for Colorado-based technologies. We know the work is only beginning. But we are proud of what's already been built and excited about what's ahead. We believe we are building more than a chamber and something that can become a shared platform for resilience, innovation, and trust. So when an Israeli founder asks where to go next, I don't hesitate. Come to Colorado. We are ready to build with you.
