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  • February 2017 (Revised December 2018)
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From Start-Up to Grown-Up Nation: The Future of the Israeli Innovation Ecosystem (Abridged)

By: Elie Ofek and Margot Eiran
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:30
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Abstract

In June 2016, Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, wrestled with how to sustain Israel’s strong innovation track record and the country’s reputation as the “start-up nation.” Despite the economic miracle the country had wrought since its founding, he knew he could not be complacent. On the one hand, in 2015 Israeli start-ups raised record-breaking amounts of venture capital, and exits for the year totaled over $8 billion. On the other hand, government expenditure on R&D had decreased and Israel’s position in the Global Innovation Index had fallen. Several other indicators, such as achievement tests among elementary school students in math and science, painted a grim picture. Furthermore, in spite of the wealth created by many high-tech Israeli firms, socioeconomic gaps in the country had widened. A two-tier economy had formed. The long-term sustainability of the “innovation economy” was in doubt, as the sector faced increased competition from foreign innovation hubs, was being reshaped by the growth of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) locating R&D centers in Israel, and had to contend with a vexing shortage of human capital and low labor force participation among some groups. Netanyahu had to assess whether it was time to sound the alarm, and whether drastic and immediate measures were needed to right the innovation economy ship. Bibi mulled over which policies or interventions would best curb the erosion of Israel’s competitive position as an innovation powerhouse and how best to promote social equality. He pondered whether public policy could make a difference or whether the market and societal currents, responsible for these trends, were too strong for him and his government to try to contend with. Several prominent figures, including the Governor of the Central Bank of Israel, Knesset members, Israel’s Chief Scientist, prominent business leaders, academics, and journalists weigh in on the formation of the Israeli entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, the challenges it faces going forward, and what approaches might help it continue to thrive.

Keywords

Innovation and Management; Entrepreneurship; Business Startups; Government and Politics; Economy; Equality and Inequality; Israel

Citation

Ofek, Elie, and Margot Eiran. "From Start-Up to Grown-Up Nation: The Future of the Israeli Innovation Ecosystem (Abridged)." Harvard Business School Case 517-103, February 2017. (Revised December 2018.)
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About The Author

Elie Ofek

Marketing
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Related Work

    • May 2017
    • Faculty Research

    From Start-Up to Grown-Up Nation: The Future of the Israeli Innovation Ecosystem and (Abridged)

    By: Elie Ofek and Margot Eiran
    • February 2017 (Revised December 2018)
    • Faculty Research

    From Start-Up to Grown-Up Nation: The Future of the Israeli Innovation Ecosystem (Abridged)

    By: Elie Ofek and Margot Eiran
Related Work
  • From Start-Up to Grown-Up Nation: The Future of the Israeli Innovation Ecosystem and (Abridged) By: Elie Ofek and Margot Eiran
  • From Start-Up to Grown-Up Nation: The Future of the Israeli Innovation Ecosystem (Abridged) By: Elie Ofek and Margot Eiran
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