Organization · Grant Maker
BIRD Foundation
The BIRD Foundation is a binational organization established in 1977 to promote industrial R&D cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies. It provides matching grants and matchmaking services for joint projects.
Overview
What BIRD Foundation does
What BIRD Foundation is
The BIRD Foundation is a binational organization established in 1977 to promote industrial R&D cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies. It provides matching grants and matchmaking services for joint projects.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports grantor capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Grant Maker
- Founded
- Founded in 1977
- Approximate age
- About 49 years
- Structured capabilities
- Grantor
- Last reviewed
- March 5, 2026
Official channels
Find BIRD Foundation elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
BIRD Foundation as a grantor
Grant thesis
The BIRD Foundation fosters industrial research and development cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies by providing funding and matchmaking support for joint projects that benefit both countries.
Focus narrative
The BIRD Foundation invests in a diverse range of sectors within the high-tech industry, including advanced manufacturing, agrotechnology, cleantech, energy and environment, communications, construction technology, cybersecurity, electronics, fintech, foodtech, healthcare IT, homeland security, life sciences, nanotechnology, semiconductors, software, and water. The foundation aims to support projects that demonstrate significant technological innovation and have strong commercialization potential.
Value and support
Beyond funding, the BIRD Foundation provides matchmaking support to facilitate collaboration between U.S. and Israeli companies, enhancing the potential for successful project outcomes and commercialization.
Grant economics
- Grant range
- $0–$1,500,000
- Dilutive
- No
- Nonprofit only
- No
Eligibility and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
- Audience
- Founders
- Sectors
- Agtech · Energy · Construction Tech · Cybersecurity · Fintech · Food and AgTech · Healthcare · Nanotechnology · SaaS
- Regions
- Global · Il · United States
Process and recipient context
Application process
The BIRD Foundation provides conditional grants covering up to 50% of project development costs, with a maximum grant size of $1.5 million per project. Interested parties can apply for funding by submitting a project proposal that outlines the technological innovation and potential benefits of the project. The foundation reviews applications and facilitates matchmaking between U.S. and Israeli companies to promote collaboration.
Recipient context
Notable past grantees include Geneyx, which offers a genomic structural variant detection solution; Ocean Genomics, known for its biotechnology innovations; Civan Lasers, which specializes in advanced laser welding technology; Brenmiller Energy, focusing on thermal energy storage solutions; Blue White Robotics, developing multi-mission drone capabilities for homeland security; and NovellusDx, which is advancing gene-editing techniques for new cancer treatments.
Common questions
What to know about BIRD Foundation
Upseed classifies BIRD Foundation under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes grantor capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 5, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.