Massachusetts will soon become home to the first American branch of an Israeli healthcare accelerator accredited with hundreds of game-changing startups worldwide in the medical field.

Sheba Medical Center, a Tel Aviv University-affiliated hospital and the largest medical center in the Middle East, announced on Wednesday it will establish its Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate (ARC) startup accelerator in Massachusetts, expanding its global innovation network that already includes locations in London, Melbourne, Singapore, Berlin and New Zealand.

According to Yitshak Kreiss, Director General of Sheba Medical Center, Massachusetts emerged as the clear choice after evaluating several U.S. locations.

“By combining our innovation model with Massachusetts’ unparalleled healthcare ecosystem, we can accelerate AI technologies that address the most pressing challenges facing patients and providers globally,” he said.

Since its founding approximately six years ago, Sheba ARC has established an impressive track record, supporting more than 100 startups globally, including three that achieved “unicorn” status with valuations exceeding $1 billion. The program has also facilitated dozens of company spinouts.

Sheba is targeting January 2026 for the facility’s Massachusetts opening and is actively exploring potential locations. According to Business Insider, the new accelerator will initially host six to eight startups with plans for expansion and will serve as a “soft landing pad” for Israeli and other international startups entering the American market.

“It will be a valued institution and asset here in the Commonwealth,” noted Governor Maura Healey, calling the partnership a “big deal” for the state.

As an innovator in medical technology and research, US magazine “Newsweek” listed Sheba Medical Center as the world’s eighth best hospital in 2024.