Tel Aviv, Israel – January 25, 2026 — TEL AVIV — A innovative Tel Aviv-based startup has secured NIS 1.2 billion through its pioneering platform for green bonds, channelling funds directly into the sustainability overhaul of the HaShalom integrated transport hub. The achievement marks a milestone in blending financial ingenuity with urban environmental progress, positioning the hub as a beacon for eco-conscious infrastructure in Israel’s bustling Dan region.
The startup, VerdantForge Technologies, developed the platform to streamline issuance and trading of green bonds specifically tailored for retrofit projects. These instruments fund initiatives that enhance energy efficiency, integrate renewable sources and promote resilient urban spaces. At HaShalom, located near the Azrieli Center along the Ayalon Freeway, the capital will support comprehensive upgrades, including solar-integrated roofing, advanced energy management systems and expanded green public areas across its 150-dunam footprint.
Expected to serve 80,000 passengers during peak hours once fully operational, the HaShalom hub connects metro lines, Israel Railways, light rail, buses and bike paths into a seamless network. VerdantForge’s platform employed sophisticated algorithms to match investors with verified green projects, attracting a diverse pool of institutional backers from Europe, Asia and local pension funds. “This funding accelerates our vision of transport centres as vibrant urban hearts, fostering cleaner commutes and healthier communities,” stated VerdantForge CEO Miriam Levy, whose team of 45 engineers and financiers launched the platform in mid-2025 after two years of refinement.
The retrofit emphasises practical advancements: installation of photovoltaic panels capable of generating 15 megawatts annually, sufficient to power station operations and nearby offices; retrofitting of HVAC systems with heat-recovery technology to cut emissions by 40%; and creation of elevated green decks that double as community parks. These features align with Tel Aviv-Yafo’s strategic sustainability goals, enhancing connectivity to Hatikvah and Shapira neighbourhoods via pedestrian-friendly bridges. Planners from Yaar-Korin Management highlight how such developments leverage transport hubs to drive broader urban renewal, including partial covering of the Ayalon Highway for reduced noise and improved air quality.
Investor enthusiasm stems from the platform’s transparency tools, which provide real-time tracking of environmental impact metrics, such as carbon savings and biodiversity gains. Early adopters report yields competitive with traditional bonds, bolstered by government incentives for green finance. “We’ve witnessed a surge in demand for verifiable sustainability investments, and HaShalom exemplifies the tangible returns,” noted Dr. Eyal Cohen, chief investment officer at one participating fund, which committed NIS 300 million.
This initiative builds momentum ahead of key 2026 events, including CleanTech in Tel Aviv this July, where VerdantForge plans to showcase its platform alongside water tech and renewable innovations. The funding arrives as Israel’s Ministry of Transportation advances the HaShalom and Haganah hubs, approved on 19 January 2026, underscoring national commitment to integrated mobility. National Infrastructure Commission chair Rabbi Natan Elnatan praised similar efforts, calling them “a significant contribution to public transport that elevates quality of life.”
Community leaders in Tel Aviv welcome the progress. “Residents near HaShalom stand to gain shaded walkways, electric shuttle links and air-purifying vegetation, transforming daily travel into an uplifting experience,” said local advocate Rachel Amir, who coordinates neighbourhood input on the project. The retrofit schedule targets initial phases by late 2026, with full integration by 2028, coinciding with metro expansions.
VerdantForge’s success signals a maturing green finance ecosystem in Israel, where startups like this one bridge capital gaps for climate-resilient infrastructure. By prioritising retrofits—modernising existing assets rather than new builds—the platform supports efficient resource use and rapid decarbonisation. Financial analysts project that similar ventures could mobilise NIS 10 billion regionally by 2030, fuelling projects from solar storage to smart grids.
The HaShalom transformation extends beyond transport, incorporating office and commercial spaces designed for low-energy use, drawing tech firms eager for sustainable credentials. Early renders depict a hub alive with cyclists, families in rooftop gardens and seamless multi-modal journeys, all powered by clean energy. This positive fusion of finance, technology and urban planning exemplifies how targeted investments yield enduring benefits for residents and the environment alike.
As VerdantForge eyes expansion to other hubs like Haganah, the model promises to replicate these gains across the metropolitan area. Stakeholders emphasise collaboration among startups, municipalities and investors as the key to scaling such triumphs, paving the way for a greener, more connected future in Tel Aviv.
(Word count: 752)
