\u201cIf Silicon Valley didn\u2019t exist, Microsoft would still be able to get some great ideas and acquire new technology \u2014 in Israel!\u201d<\/p>\n
– Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, Nov. 2012<\/p>\n
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In our previous post, we introduced the idea of Israel as a hub of technological innovation, with a thriving start-up economy that we\u2019re identifying as a promising investment opportunity. Today, we want to highlight the attention that this part of the world is getting from investors and technology companies.<\/p>\n
In recent years, domestic and foreign investment in the Technology sector has been steadily increasing. 2014 saw a total of $3.4 billion, 85% of which came from foreign venture capital1<\/sup>, compared to $5.24 billion in 2017. In the first eight months of 2018, the country’s startups have already raised over $4 billion, which puts them well on course to beat last year’s record. Nearly $300 million of that $4 billion came in July alone, and that\u2019s just from the companies that decided to publicize their investment2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n Firms from all over the world, including some of the world\u2019s largest tech corporations, are buying Israel\u2019s start-up companies for tremendous valuations. These are just a few of the companies that purchased at least one Israeli start-up:<\/p>\n Google<\/p>\n Apple<\/p>\n Facebook<\/p>\n Twitter<\/p>\n Procter & Gamble<\/p>\n Microsoft<\/p>\n Hewlett-Packer<\/p>\n General Motors<\/p>\n Samsung<\/p>\n IBM<\/p>\n eBay<\/p>\n General Electric<\/p>\n Siemens<\/p>\n Dell<\/p>\n Yahoo<\/p>\n AT&T<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When companies like these get involved, not only is it an indication of the perceived value of the opportunity, but the investment itself actually amplifies the innovation and growth that was already developing.<\/p>\n This is what we\u2019re seeing in Israel today, and it\u2019s driving the nation forward as a global leader in R&D of energy and mobility-related technologies. What began as localized growth is becoming a global game changer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1<\/sup>Source: IVC Quarterly Survey, Q4 2014, IVC Research Surveys 2010-2014.\u00a0http:\/\/www.ivc-online.com\/Portals\/0\/RC\/Survey\/IVC_Q4-14_Survey_PRFinal.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n