Israeli startup QD-SOL of Ness Tziona won first prize of $500,000 in the Aviram Awards competition held in Morocco on May 16. QD-SOL is developing technology to produce green hydrogen from water using only solar energy.

The second-place prize of $100,000 went to another Israeli startup, Carbon Blue, which is developing a method to remove and permanently sequester excess carbon dioxide from seawater to counter ocean acidification and enhance oceans’ ability to absorb more atmospheric CO2.

Also among the five finalists was Israeli company Avertto, which is working to commercialize an easy-to-use stroke alert device for high-risk populations.

Sponsored by the Aviram Foundation and Forbes, the Aviram Awards recognize young, promising entrepreneurs in the MENA region working to improve the lives of the world population through business, innovation and technology.

The competition garnered 780 registrants from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Jordan in the fields of health, environment, sustainability, education, transportation and more.

Former US President Bill Clinton, participating on behalf of the Clinton Foundation, said, “In an era when most people focus on the differences between us and not on the commonality, the Aviram Awards competition finds the common denominator between entrepreneurs and their motivation to action. The business sector must constantly ask if what it is doing is good for society, and continue to try to create an impact in a variety of areas, such as climate and education.”

Photo courtesy of Forbes