Curiosity Lab Seals Another Major Deal

A new connection with Israel is expected to add another layer of economic development.

Words by Arlinda Smith Broady Photos courtesy of Curiosity Lab

recent collaboration between the city of Peachtree Corners and the country of Israel has the potential to provide great benefits for the U.S. and its ally. The city’s Curiosity Lab and its contemporary half a world away, the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), are partnering to bring the most promising Israeli technology startups to the heart of Silicon Orchard.

AAs one of the U.S.’s first 5G smart cities powered by real-world connected infrastructure, Peachtree Corners has a proven track record of helping to grow tech companies on many platforms — medical devices, transportation, clean energy consumption, cybersecurity and much more from all around the world.

It’s pretty much a no-brainer that it would join with the National Technological Innovation Authority in Israel to enable selected companies in that country to prove out solutions in a real-world environment to enhance city safety and IoT-enabled operations, as well as share capabilities, resources and learnings for mutual benefit.

A strong alliance grows

This isn’t the city’s first alliance with the Middle East nation. There have already been several companies from that part of the world that are familiar with the way Peachtree Corners does business and like it.

“We’re delighted to partner with Israel Innovation Authority in helping to foster the growth of some of the world’s brightest startups,” said City of Peachtree Corners City Manager Brian Johnson. “This alliance is a culmination of the past few years of work between the technology community in Israel and the city’s Curiosity Lab ecosystem.”

This kind of alliance takes time to manifest, Johnson said.

“Part of that is both of us are busy, part of it is a little bit of circling each other, kicking tires, making sure each one is committed to making something work because we don’t like to get involved in any kind of partnerships or collaborations that are purely symbolic and aren’t going to result in something tangible,” he added.

Assistant City Manager Brandon Branham, who is also chief technology officer, made the trip and sealed the deal. It’s pretty much a win all around.

Applicants will be screened, selected and approved by both Peachtree Corners and the Innovation Authority. Once they join the Curiosity Lab ecosystem, they will have access to resources to aid in testing, product development, business development, expanding into the U.S. market and more.

“We’re excited to formally help bring some of the most advanced new smart city technologies while enabling our startups continued on page 44