The Sderot Innovation, Resilience and Health Hub, together with the Municipality of Sderot, is continuing to expand its international footprint. As part of NRW’s “Peace of Friends” initiative and in collaboration with the NRW Israel Office headed by Dr. Gil Yaron and the Israel–Germany Chamber of Commerce, a delegation of five Sderot-based startups traveled to Duisburg, Germany, for a professional visit and regional expo.
The visit to Duisburg was part of the growing collaboration between the Municipality of Sderot, the Sderot Innovation, Resilience and Health Hub, and the State of NRW. The participating startups — HOME DOME, DriveTech, CereBi, MindReset and Adaptive AI — showcased solutions developed directly from Sderot’s complex reality. From the very first meetings, it was clear that NRW was particularly intrigued by Sderot’s unique model: innovation driven not only by technological vision, but by lived experience and real-world stress scenarios.
One startup that especially stood out during the visit was Home Dome. Built directly around the needs of local communities, Home Dome provides municipalities with tools to manage residents in both routine and emergency situations, map needs, and communicate accurately with various groups. Its technology was shaped by years of hands-on experience dealing with crisis situations, which immediately resonated with NRW organizations seeking ways to strengthen community resilience in their own cities.
During the visit, the delegation established initial connections with an impact incubator operating in Duisburg, which is now exploring whether Home Dome’s platform can be adapted for use in German municipalities.
This is, in fact, the key takeaway from the visit: beyond the delegation itself, Sderot is bringing forward technologies that were born from a challenging environment — and these solutions are now attracting the attention of international partners eager to learn from local expertise. Home Dome stands as one of the clearest examples of this dynamic.
Hosted by the DBI office in Duisburg, the delegation received a warm welcome and a tailored professional program. Entrepreneurs met with business leaders, academics and municipal officials; explored opportunities in the German market; and presented their technologies at a dedicated booth during a regional innovation expo. These meetings opened the door to new partnerships and strengthened Sderot’s visibility among key European stakeholders.
This marks the second startup delegation that Sderot sends to Germany, reflecting growing interest in its innovation model — one that brings together the municipality, resilience bodies and local entrepreneurs. The city’s ability to turn real-world challenges into globally relevant solutions continues to attract attention across NRW.
Eran Segal, CEO of the Sderot Innovation Hub, said:
“The delegation to Duisburg highlights the strength of the ecosystem we’re building in Sderot. Our startups grow out of a very real and demanding reality, and seeing them reach Germany, form meaningful connections and gain international recognition is incredibly inspiring. Our partnership with NRW keeps deepening and opening new pathways for impact far beyond the city.”
Eran Segal, CEO of the Sderot Innovation HubAlon Davidi, Mayor of Sderot, added:
“This delegation reflects the unique collaboration between the municipality and the hub, and the ability of Sderot to forge significant international partnerships. Our cooperation with NRW strengthens the local economy, supports our entrepreneurs and positions Sderot as a leader in innovation and resilience.”