A fifth Israeli company connected to a local nonprofit plans to open an office in St. Louis.

Atomation, a Tel Aviv-based startup, has developed a platform to connect physical items, like an automobile or medical device, with software. The goal is the “seamless creation of smart objects,” according to the company website. 

Atomation plans to open an office in St. Louis’ Cortex District. 

BioSTL, an organization that aims to attract foreign startups to St. Louis, has now reeled five companies in from the Jewish State since 2014. Atomation could hire as many as 20 people in St. Louis, according to BioSTL CEO and president Donn Rubin.

“When I started this initiative two-and-a-half years ago, I had anticipated it would take a couple years of relationship building but the pace of success has certainly exceeded my expectations in part because we have created a pretty special platform that provides attention and access to an Israeli company that they would not find on the East Coast or West Coast,” said Rubin.

Atomation will work with Ameren to develop a pilot program that connects utility poles to the internet using sensor packs.

GlobalSTL, an umbrella group that includes BioSTL, announced that Atomaton would open its U.S. headquarters in St. Louis at a press conference on Friday attended by Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and Ameren CEO Warner Baxter.

“My No. 1 priority is bringing quality jobs to Missouri families. Atomation’s decision to locate its U.S. headquarters in Missouri shows what tremendous economic growth opportunities we have,” Greitens said, according to a news release.

Other Israeli companies to start operations in St. Louis through the BioSTL initiative are: Kaiima Agro-Biotech, Evogene, Forrest Innovations and NRGene. 

Rubin said his success with Israeli companies has helped attract companies from places such as India and Ireland because of “the respect that they have for the Israeli innovation economy.”