The World Economic Forum calls Israel a “tech titan.” Israeli tech companies raised $4.8 billion in venture capital last year. Things many of us use daily — the Intel PC processor, the USB flash drive and Google’s Suggestion function — all were invented in Israel.
The Arizona Israel Technology Alliance officially launched Feb. 22 in Phoenix to promote and strengthen business investment, entrepreneurship, technology and bilateral trade between Arizona and Israel. AITA representatives will be at the Israel@70 Festival on Sunday, April 22.
AITA is positioned to support and increase investment and development between Arizona and Israel, offering resources and opportunities to both, says Leib Bolel, president and CEO. Global positioning, especially in technology (including agritech), bioscience and healthcare, aerospace and defense, makes Arizona a perfect prospect for trade with Israel, says Bolel. “Israel is home to more Nasdaq listed companies than any other country outside the U.S. and China. It has more venture capital, startups, scientists and tech professionals per capita than any country in the world.”
Every American-built automobile soon will contain Israeli technology that will make your car safer, and may have a significant impact on insurance rates, says Bolel. Today and in the future, whether we are driving vehicles or the vehicles are driving us, avoiding car accidents is increasingly dependent upon built-in driver-assistance technologies. Israel’s advances in machine vision and robotics are in high demand by vehicle manufacturers everywhere, he adds.
Among Israeli-Arizona collaborative investments currently in Tucson are LSL Biotechnologies, Lasertel, Inc. and Global Solar Energy.
A May 16 Phoenix luncheon will focus on Israel’s story as the Startup Nation, a hub of humanity-improving innovation, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities, according to AITA. Presenters will include Audrey Jacobs of OurCrowd and Avi Reichental of Cognitiv Ventures.
Bolel is collaborating with the Israel Economic Mission to host a delegation in June of 15 Israeli companies focused on water conservation and autonomous vehicles. The alliance will lead a technology and innovation delegation of investors and senior executives to Israel Oct. 14-22, with other bridging trips in the plans.
Bolel has more than a decade of domestic and international business development experience. Born in England, he lived in Israel for six years. He moved his own tech company, Glimpse, from Iowa to Phoenix two years ago. AITA’S programming and membership services director, Sharon Pellicani, brings a strong operational management background to the alliance.
Founding members of the nonprofit alliance include the University of Arizona Tech Parks Arizona, the Israel Economic Mission, Arizona Commerce Authority, Coplex, Silicon Valley Bank, Arizona Technology Council, and Osborn Maledon.
For details, visit arizonaisrael.com.
