The ecosystem supporting Israel’s globally recognized tech and innovation sector, dubbed “Startup Nation,” helps fuel and sustain rapid economic growth in the country. Are there takeaways for Miami as it tries to build an ecosystem? If so, 2015 is shaping up to be the year to learn.
A delegation of leaders in the Miami tech-startup community spent the past week in Israel with Project Interchange, an educational institute of the American Jewish Committee, to learn from the country’s thriving tech and innovation sector while sharing best practices and making connections. The knowledge exchange was supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Members of the startup delegation included Matt Haggman, Miami program director of Knight Foundation; Susan Amat, founder of Venture Hive; Laura Maydón, managing director of Endeavor Miami; Jaret Davis, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig; Stonly Baptiste, co-founder of Urban.Us; Nico Berardi, managing director of the AGP angel network; Benoit Wirz, director of venture investments for Knight Foundation; Leandro Finol, executive director of Miami Dade College’s Idea Center; and Felecia Hatcher, co-founder of Code Fever.
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Meital Stavinsky, an attorney and shareholder with Greenberg Traurig, co-chairs the region’s Tel Aviv University alumni chapter; the firm also has a Tel Aviv office. In a recent study, Tel Aviv University ranked ninth in the world for VC-backed entrepreneurship, she said. “What we are looking to launch as part of eMerge Americas week is a series named Entrepreneurship On Tap, an informal networking opportunity that will be social, fun and in a cool venue, where successful entrepreneurs from Israel will come to speak and share their journeys.”
It’s a program that has been done in Israel for a number of years successfully and then spread to other cities; the alumni chapter wants to host at least three a year. “It’s a great way to showcase Israeli innovation and spirit,” said Stavinsky, who as a focus of her practice, advises innovative Israeli technology companies, particularly in cleantech and agtech, on government law and policy matters.