The Israeli Innovation story
2014
Naor Gilon
Ambasciatore
Ambasciata d' Israele
Israel @ A Glance
8 millions
$291 Billion
Economic Figures
Criteria
2012
2013
GDP
257.5
291.5
Real GDP growth rate
3.4%
3.3%
$32,565
$36,226
1.5%
1.3%
93.1
36.2%
95.1
32.6%
92.6
36.0%
68.3
31.4%
6.9%
6.2%
(Current prices in $B)*
(% change)
GDP per capita
(Current $)
GDP per capita growth rate
(%, constant prices)
Exports (goods & services),
$B*
(As % of GDP)
Imports (goods & services),
$B*
(As % of GDP)
*Using a periodic average exchange rate
** For available months
Unemployment rate**
GDP Growth
Israel compared to advanced economies, annual rate of change, constant prices
Since 2004, Israel’s growth rate has exceeded the average growth rate of advanced economies.
In 2009, as most of the world experienced a decline in GDP, Israel experienced a 1.2% growth in it’s GDP.
All data taken from OECD
* Data from respective official source (CBS, OECD (forecast), Eurostat, BEA)
Source: CBS, OECD, Eurostat, BEA
1980-2012:
A High-Tech Oriented Industry
Low Tech
8%
Med-Low
Tech
18%
Med Hi-Tech
26%
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics (excluding diamonds)
High Tech
48%
Main Export Destinations
As a share of total exports
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics
Innovation in Israel
Did you know Israel is…
1st in the world for scientific research
1st in the world for entrepreneurship
1st in the world for information technology skills
1st in the world for expenditure on R&D (as % of GDP)
1st in the world for flexibility and adaptability
2nd in the world for innovative capacity
2nd in the world for venture capital
4th in the world in utility patents per million population
Source: World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Report
Startup Nation by the numbers
In 2012-13, Israeli exits amounted to over $11.98 Billion
Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world
per capita (4,000 companies with 1,000 introduced to the industry
annually)
More Israeli patents are registered in the US than Russia, India and
China combined
Israel has more NASDAQ listed companies than any other country
besides the U.S. - more than all of Europe, India, China and Japan
combined
Israelis are heavy tech users — they spend more time on Facebook than
anywhere else in the world
Technologies “MADE IN ISRAEL”
The cell phone was developed by the Israeli Motorola branch
The flash
memory data storage device with a USB interface
The now standard Firewall and
VPN computer security systems
The technology for the AOL instant
messenger, ICQ, was developed in 1996
Chosen as the solution to internationally
The world’s largest
stream the 2014 World Cup
online poker company sold for 4.9B (June 2014)
Developed the first ingestible video
camera in the size of a pill
The world’s most-used translation software
A cross platform, instant messaging, voice-over
A GPS based geographical social network
Cloud-based web
sites
Internet Protocol application
navigation application
development platform allows users to create web and mobile
R&D Centers In Israel
Haifa Region
Northern Region
Tel Aviv Region
Jerusalem Region
Southern Region
Over 250 foreign companies have established R&D centers in Israel
Over 50,000 people are employed
at these R&D centers in Israel
Maps: Wikipedia
R&D Expenditure as % of GDP
2010 or latest available year
Israel is 1st in the OECD in expenditure on R&D (research & development) as % of
GDP, demonstrating innovation, development and creativity.
Additional Sources: OECD
Quality of Scientific Research
Israel is a global leader in research & innovation
Israel
Level of innovation
Source: World economic forum, 2011
Entrepreneurship, Israeli style
A great deal of,
 Inventiveness, creativity, ingenuity
 Daring, “can do it” attitude, drive
 Knowledge of, comfort in the international arena
But less of,
 Business acumen
 Managerial skills (for larger organizations)
 Patience, long horizon
14
Birth and death of High-Tech Companies in Israel
2007-2012
700
697
689
687
631
616
600
500
400
325
300
266
275
350
305
299
200
140
100
0
2007
2008
2009
Companies Created
2010
2011
2012
Companies Closed
Source: IVC Yearbook
Concluding remarks
To innovate means first and foremost to
change, hence to encourage innovation
society needs to accept, promote, and
bear the consequences of change.
Grazie
Naor Gilon
ambassador@roma.mfa.gov.il