Konnect is the Innovation Hub of the Volkswagen Group in Israel, founded in 2018 and based in Tel Aviv, the heart of the Startup Nation. Our team is passionate about Innovation and Mobility and strives to find the best technologies in the market to scale and implement them across the Volkswagen Group and its multiple brands.
Our Mission
Konnect’s mission is to spearhead the discovery, evaluation, and integration of Israeli pioneering technologies, focusing on Sustainability, Mobility, and Digitalization. Konnect serves as a bridge between groundbreaking technological solutions and the Volkswagen Group’s needs, while supporting the VW Groups’ mission of Shaping Mobility for Generations to come.
OUR FOCUS
Sustainability
Electrification, Sustainable Materials, Circular Economy, Carbon Economy
Mobility
Autonomous Driving, Mobility Services (maas/taas), Safety, Robotics
AI/Digitalization
Driving Experience, In-cabin Sensors, Digital User Interface
Our Test Days
Our Test Days
Autonomous Driving
Testing a novel LiDAR sensor
Our team tested a novel LiDAR of the company Lidwave. We tested the A-sample of the startups’ sensor which is based on light coherence rather than time of flight or FMCW. The test of the sensor was performed on a closed test track in Israel and on public roads. The sensor was put through several testing scenarios to get a good understanding of its capabilities: noise, blooming, long-range separation, detection of small objects on the road, detection of obstructed pedestrians, and more.
Check out a summary of our test day
Health and Wellbeing
Testing heart rate sensor
Our team tested a touchless driver’s biometrics sensing suite, based on a camera + laser sensor and a complimentary AI engine. During the test, the sensor measured the driver’s heart rate (HR) while driving in changing road environments and various scenarios.
Here is a recap of our day
Health and Wellbeing
Testing alcohol detection
Our team tested the capabilitiesy of Coarractions’ Corractions technology to identify drivers under the influence of alcohol. During the test day, we collected data from several sensors installed in the vehicle sensor which was then analyzed by Corractions to identify if a driver is over a certain blood-alcohol level.
Check out the test day here
Our Success Stories
Our Success Stories
Integrating flexible solar films in composite integration process with Audi.
The 2022 JEC Composites Innovation Awards: Official Finalists Line-up
CARIAD selected Innoviz to be its supplier and deliverer of advanced ADAS features for the segment of automated vehicles within the Volkswagen brands
CARIAD SE Selects Innoviz as Direct LiDAR Supplier for the Segment of Automated Vehicles Within the Volkswagen Brands (prnewswire.com)
Integrating an interactive infotainment solution, providing insights into POI’s in the current vicinity, into the Audi App store.
The Israeli app making its way to Volkswagen cars (ynetnews.com)
Investigating feasibility of recycled textile waste into automotive grade parts, in partnership with Tier-1.
Refresh Global – Texdata International – Re-fresh global and Soex join forces to establish the first complete textile waste recycling circuit
Integrating Electreon inductive charging technology into an eCrafter for a German government funded project.
ElectReon to Provide Road Charging Technology for a Project Funded by the German Government (energyindustryreview.com)
Facilitated collaboration and investment for OTA software update solution by AuroraLabs.
Porsche SE acquires stake in Aurora Labs (porsche-se.com)
TEAM
MEET OUR TEAM
Hemdat has been the Managing Director of Konnect since 2023, and one of its founders, establishing the company in Israel in 2018.
She has over 12 years of experience in senior managerial, strategic, and business development roles in the private and government sectors.
In her previous roles, Hemdat headed the Israeli branch of HY- the Axel Springer ecosystem firm, consulting German companies on digitalization and transformation projects and later on worked as an advisor to Volkswagen Group and Audi AG in Israel.
Between 2012 and 2016, Hemdat served as a Commercial Attaché and Head of the Economic Department in the Israeli Embassy in Berlin, promoting German-Israeli economic, business, and innovation ties.
Hemdat is a lawyer by training and has a postgraduate diploma in Advanced Management from ESMT Business School in Berlin.
Maayan is the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Director at Konnect.
Supporting the Managing Director in the company’s operational and strategic activities, and responsible for the overall planning, monitoring, and execution of the technical projects, PoCs, and the Konnect test-vehicle lab.
Prior to joining Konnect, Maayan served as an officer in an elite unit at the Israeli Air-force for 12 years, leading complex operations, technical projects, aerial planning, and management in various units.
Maayan holds an MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from the Reichman University.
Benny is the Head of Sensors and AI technologies at Konnect where he covers a wide range of areas such as Autonomous driving and Health & Wellbeing.
Benny brings over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, covering the automotive, semiconductor, and defense sectors. In his previous role, Benny was a product manager at Innoviz, a direct LiDAR supplier of our Groups' software brand, Cariad.
Benny holds an M.E. in Systems Engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Tel Aviv University.
Benny brings over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, covering the automotive, semiconductor, and defense sectors. In his previous role, Benny was a product manager at Innoviz, a direct LiDAR supplier of our Groups' software brand, Cariad.
Benny holds an M.E. in Systems Engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Tel Aviv University.
David is Konnect's Tech and Business Development Analyst; his main responsibilities are scouting and evaluating new technologies, managing projects, and assisting with business development activities.
Born and raised in Germany, David moved to Israel after his degree in International Business and gained professional experience in e-commerce and automotive Startups. David is especially passionate about connecting German corporates to the thriving Israeli startup ecosystem.
David holds a B.Sc. in International Business from Maastricht University.
Noa brings experience representing corporations, startups, investors, and government entities across the Israeli innovation ecosystem, covering different sectors and global regions.
Noa holds an MBA from Tel Aviv University and a Bachelor from Peking University.
Noa holds an MBA from Tel Aviv University and a Bachelor from Peking University.
Daria is in charge of administration at Konnect and plays a pivotal role in supporting the organization's bookkeeping efforts.
With 15 years of administrative experience in both large corporations and small Fintech companies, she has vast expertise in administration, employee welfare, talent acquisition, event planning, marketing & financial operations.
Additionally, Daria adeptly manages relationships with suppliers and clients, ensuring a smooth financial operation.
Her main role is to make things happen and provide 360-degree support to all team members of Konnect.
Daria holds a BA in Political Science and Government from The Academic College of Tel-Aviv, Yaffo, Israel.
Angie is steering Head of Procurement & RSO at Konnect, connecting suppliers to procurement departments and tenders in the Volkswagen Group.
Originally from Germany, Angie became a “Kibutznik” after moving to Israel over 30 years ago.
With more than 13 years of experience in working as the Israel representative for the Regional Sourcing Office of the Volkswagen Group, Angie holds extensive knowledge of the Israeli OEM supplier market.
Angelika holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the IHK Business School in Munich.
Itai is an experienced security and information security manager, supporting all security topics of the Volkswagen Group in Israel as well as sourcing for innovative cyber technology for the Group Brands.
Prior to Konnect, Itai headed the corporate security at Champion Motors, the free importer of Volkswagen Group in Israel.
Itai holds a CISO diploma from the Technion, the Israel institute of technology, as well as a BA in Political Science and International Relations from the Open University of Israel.
Our Global Innovation Teams
Shaping mobility for future generations
Tel Aviv
KONNECT INNOVATION HUB
KONNECT INNOVATION HUB
Wolfsberg | Potsdam
INNOVATION CENTER EUROPE
INNOVATION CENTER EUROPE
Beijing | Shanghai
INNOVATION CENTER ASIA
INNOVATION CENTER ASIA
Tokyo
INNOVATION HUB
INNOVATION HUB
Singapore
INNOVATION HUB
INNOVATION HUB
Knoxville
INNOVATION HUB
INNOVATION HUB
Belmont INNOVATION CENTER CALIFORNIA
For more information on the Group visit the Volkswagen Group website here
OUR ACTIVITY
June 2024: Dr. Nikolai Ardey at Konnect
Konnect hosted Dr. Nikolai Ardey, Head of Volkswagen Group Innovation, in his visit to Israel at the beginning of June. The visit included participation in the EcoMotion Main Assembly, held on June 4th, where Nikolai joined top industry leaders to discuss advancements and future trends in mobility and AI. Following Ecomotion, the topic of innovation in sustainability was an important aspect of the visit, where we met with local entrepreneurs and investors in the field of sustainability, shared about the Group's Regenerate+ sustainability strategy, and the importance of the startup ecosystem in fostering innovation into our Group products and processes. This strategic visit was a great opportunity for the Konnect team to showcase ongoing innovation projects and activities, while marking the interest and commitment of the HQ to the local innovation ecosystem.
April 2024: Israeli Ambassador visits Wolfsburg
In April Maayan Ekstein our COO was honored to take part in the visit of the Israeli Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, at the Volkswagen Group HQ in Wolfsburg where he met Oliver Blume - CEO of the VW Group, Thomas Steg - Head of Group External Relations, and Nikolai Ardey - Head of VW Group Innovation. During his visit, Maayan presented successful collaborations of the Volkswagen Group with top Israeli companies such as Mobileye, Innoviz and Cymotive, and commercial collaborations with Israeli startups led by Konnect, such as Apollo Power, Spinframe, Mappo, Refresh Global and more.
The Ambassador also paid a visit to the Autostadt, the VW Group museum and visitors center, where he was greeted by TEMI, the Israeli service robot which is currently welcoming visitors in the Autostadt Piazza.
This important visit emphasizes the ongoing commitment and support of our Group to the Israeli market and tech ecosystem.
April 2024: Startup Masterclass
In April, together with the EcoMotion Community, we held our first seminar for startups on best practices for successful collaboration with an automotive OEM.
In a room full of Israeli entrepreneurs, our colleagues from Volkswagen Group of America Innovation and Engineering Center California (IECC), Bentley Motors and the Konnect team shared insights about internal processes, best practices, and important tips to get from one stage to another in the challenging development process. From initial contact with Volkswagen Group Innovation, through identifying the right stakeholders in the brand, to the intricacies of being nominated for an RFQ – we explored critical steps and processes necessary for effective collaboration with the Volkswagen Group.
March 2024: Autotech Israel Meetup
In March, we had the pleasure of hosting the vibrant Autotech Israel community in our offices.
The group, initiated by Alon Atsmon, brings together Israeli entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, and industry experts from the automotive sector. It was a valuable opportunity for us to meet face-to-face and exchange ideas on the developments and future of the Israeli Automotive ecosystem.
Alon, shared about the community's growth and how strong-relationships have fueled successes in the automotive field. Jennifer Schwarz, the Director of the EcoMotion Community, shared insights on how the Israeli automotive ecosystem has transitioned from a startup phase to the scale-up phase, highlighting Israeli companies' role as direct suppliers to automotive OEMs. Our COO, Maayan Ekstein, provided an overview of the Volkswagen Group activities in Israel, touching on strategic focus areas and how startups can effectively partner with large OEMs.
