Trade mission to Israel: Startup Nation

Israel is known as the “Startup Nation.” With one startup per 2,000 inhabitants, it has a strong ecosystem based on innovation, entrepreneurial culture and a high number of incubators.

Israel’s economy leads its region in terms of development, strength and dynamism. The country has a robust and rapidly growing economy, with a high-tech sector that is dynamic and internationally competitive.

Israel is a world leader in sciences, technology and innovation:

• The country invests 4.25% of its GDP in research and development;
• Israel’s innovation ecosystem is home to numerous startups and is very active in international societies;
• With over 5,000 startups, the Silicon Wadi area is ranked as the sixth-largest startup ecosystem in the world;
• Tel Aviv is ranked:
  • second in the world for its cybersecurity ecosystem;
  • and third in artificial intelligence.
• Jerusalem is a leading centre for research in the life sciences.

Business opportunities between Canada and Israel

In 2017, the governments of Quebec and Israel signed an agreement for collaboration on technological innovation.

The Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) came into effect in 1997 and allowed:

• tripled bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries;
• Preferential customs tariffs for Canadian exports;
• new provisions for trade in relation to sanitary measures, intellectual property, e-commerce;
• new provisions for protecting workers and the environment.

The OurCrowd Investor Summit is an event that will bring together stakeholders from the innovation and startup ecosystem. It is known as one of the biggest high-tech and business events in Israel.

During this week, come get inspired and find concrete solutions while meeting key players at a forum, interactive exhibitions, business meetings and satellite events.

Some facts :

• Israel’s most active venture investment firm to host biggest investor event in the Middle East; over 23,000 registered to attend previous Summit;
• OurCrowd passes landmark $2 billion of investment commitments with 60 exits since inception;
• Expecting largest ever delegation to Summit of investors, corporate executives, government representatives, and journalists from around the world, including for the first time significant representation from the Gulf region;
• Summit Week packed with partner events, corporate meetups, insider access to accelerators, and cultural opportunities.

At the last Summit, OurCrowd enabled over 1,400 connections between multinational corporations, startup companies, and investors, highlighting its value to global innovation ecosystem players. In 2023, there will be even more attendee lounges, dedicated meeting spaces, and facilitated networking.

So far in 2022, more than $250 million dollars has been raised through OurCrowd, and over 116 investment rounds in startups and funds closed.The largest target for investment this year was in Healthcare with 22%, followed by Enterprise Software with 18%, then Agriculture and FoodTech with 13%. 47% of OurCrowd’s investments came from the US, 17% from the EU and 11% from Asia.

At the Summit, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporate executives, investors and others will come to the Innovation Nation to meet, learn, and get business done. Over 23,000 people from 183 countries registered to attend the previous Summit in 2020. Early registrations are running at twice the rate of previous years. Innovation executives from multinational corporations already registered include Ford, Google, Intel, McKinsey, PepsiCo, IBM, Bosch, Huawei, Boeing, Sony, Siemens, KPMG, and Porsche.

The safety and health of the participants and organizers of this mission are at the very core of our concerns.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and its government partners abide by the public health guidelines of Quebec and Canada, and expect participants in trade missions to do the same.

Therefore, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the final decision to organize a mission will be made between 4 and 12 weeks before the mission, depending on the health situation and the recommendations by public health authorities. The mission will be conducted in accordance with government guidelines and applicable health protocols.

In order to facilitate the safe conduct of the mission, the number of mission participants will be limited to one person per company, organization or institution. A maximum number of participating companies or organizations for each mission could be established by the CCMM. The selection criteria are given in advance by the CCMM. All entries are subject to approval.

As a general rule, the registration fee for each mission is non-refundable in the event of a participant's withdrawal. If the mission in cancelled by the organizers or by CCMM, the registration fee will be fully refunded to participants. Registration fees will also be refunded if a participant should withdraw due to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We recommend consulting the Travel Advice and Advisories for Israel page, the Government of Canada’s official source of information, twice: before planning your trip, and right before you leave since safety and security conditions can change between your preparations and departure date. 

However, CCMM is not responsible for any other cancellation costs that may be incurred as a result of a mission's cancellation or the inability of a participant to travel, such as international transportation, accommodations or other costs related to the mission*.

For insurance information, you are invited to consult your personal and business insurance, as well as the following Canadian government website https://voyage.gc.ca/voyager/documents/assurance-voyage.

* Costs related to international transportation, accommodations, food and personal expenses are the participant’s responsibility.