The Bird Foundation has been one of the reasons for Israel’s start-up successes. It helps finance joint Israeli and USA projects and since 2009 has focussed on clean energy. Bird approves around 4 projects a year, has invested nearly $300 million and generated $8 billion of sales.
http://www.israelnewtech.com/2012/08/a-birds-eye-view-promoting-us-israeli-cooperation-in-clean-energy/