About Us

Israel - "The Start-up Nation"

As hosts of the 44th PIM 2017 Conference, we look forward to welcoming you to the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University and to ensuring that you enjoy your time in Israel.

It is only fitting that Israel, home of the Startup Nation, should be the venue of this year’s PIM Conference, with its focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Israel has more high-tech startups and a larger venture capital industry per capita than any other country in the world. We invest 4.7% of our GDP ($247.9 billion) in R&D, which is the highest percentage globally.

Many have wondered how it is that a small country of only 8 million people, only 69 years old, surrounded by enemies, with very scarce natural resources, produces relatively more startup companies than other nations with exceedingly favorable endowments such as Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

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The many factors contributing to the unique ecosystem that is responsible for Israel’s economic growth have turned research, innovation and entrepreneurship into integral parts of the Israeli economic mindset, and the many successful M&As of Israeli startup companies have turned our small country into a world leader in certain high-tech areas. Moreover, leading global technology companies (e.g. Google, Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Facebook, Cisco, IBM, San-Disk, HP, SAP and many others) operate some of their largest and most productive labs and research facilities in Israel.

While you are here in Israel to attend the 2017 PIM Conference you will have the opportunity to learn how this modern day miracle has come about.