1. How are we organized?
The MIDC is a partnership of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Israel'¬s Ministry of Industry and Trade, and The ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, it was established in 1992 as a result of the Declaration of Cooperation signed by then-Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer and Israel'¬s Ambassador to the United States, Moshe Arad.
2. What do we do?
The MIDC acts as a "matchmaker" between Maryland and Israeli businesses. We identify market and technology opportunities for Maryland and Israeli companies and facilitate their partnering on various business and research opportunities.
3. How we do it?
The MIDC has three primary programs:
- MarketReach America showcases Israeli entrepreneurs to potential U.S. customers, partners and investors
- Maryland/Israel Development Fund supports joint research between Israeli and Maryland companies
- Maryland/Israel Incubator Partnership provides six months free rent to Israeli high-tech companies
4. In what areas do we focus?
- Life sciences
- Information technology
- Bioscience
- Cyber-security and data management
5. What's in it for us?
Job creation. The great Jewish philosopher Maimonides taught that the highest form of "tzedakah" or charity is to help people become self-sufficient. This is the guiding inspiration of the MIDC. We work to bring companies together to do more business, thereby increasing economic activity and creating jobs.
6. Why a focus on info tech and bioscience?
The MIDC helps companies in the full spectrum of industries. However, both Maryland and Israel are particularly strong in information technology and the life sciences, therefore more opportunities exist in these fields.