Hasson was the chief scientist of the Ministry of Economy and Industry, a partner in two leading Israeli venture capital funds and the founding chairman of the Innovation Authority Hasson joins the organization at a time of peak international interest in Israeli technology and innovation but also at a time when signs of crisis are beginning to emerge
Start-Up Nation Central, a non-profit organization that links international companies, corporations, investors and governments around the world and the technological innovation ecosystem in Israel - today announced the appointment of Avi Hasson as the next CEO.
Hasson has extensive experience in senior management positions in the business world, the public sector and the third sector in Israel - all technologically oriented. Hasson was the chief scientist at the Ministry of Economy and Industry and later, the founding chairman of the Innovation Authority, the government agency charged with planning and implementing innovation policy in the country.
Before his government service, Hasson was a partner in the "Gemini Israel" fund, one of the leading venture capital funds in the country. After leaving the Innovation Authority, in 2017, he joined "Imerj", a venture capital fund for early fundraising stages, and was a partner in it. Also , Hasson is a member of the board of directors of Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ: TSEM), a unique company that leads in the development and production of advanced technological solutions for the industry Electronics in the field of chips.
At the same time as his business activity Hason continued with diverse public activities. He is a member of the board of directors of the Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center and the board of directors of the SpaceIL association, which was established with the goal of landing the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon and which promotes scientific and technological education. In addition, he also serves as a member of the executive committee of
Israel Tech Challenge, which offers training programs to address the shortage of skilled human capital in the field of high-tech and technological innovation in Israel. Thanks to this experience Hason will be able to advance the organization's main mission: strengthening Israel's position and continuing its positioning as a world leader in technological innovation.
The announcement of Hasson's appointment comes at an important time for the technological innovation sector in Israel:
A period of significant growth in technology investments:
According to my data Start-Up Nation Finder, in the first half of 2021, Israel is among the leaders in the world in the growth rate of investments in technology companies with an increase of 152% compared to the corresponding period last year - this is compared to a growth rate of 112% at the global level in the corresponding period. As of today, since the beginning of 2021, 38 fundraising rounds, defined as mega-rounds (raising rounds higher than 100 million dollars), have been registered in Israel. In doing so, the number of mega-rounds recruitments crossed the one registered in the whole of 2020, which was 21 rounds. Moreover, since the beginning of this year, 39 Israeli companies have been issued (4 more as part of the SPAC procedure) - this in relation to 21 issuances in the whole of 2020 and 12 issuances in 2019.
A challenge in the field of technological human capital:
One of the biggest challenges facing the organization with Hasson's entry into office is my findings Report published by the organization in collaboration with the Israel Innovation Authority and from which it appears that there is a real shortage of skilled human capital in the fields of technology. Start-Up Nation Central and the new Institute for Research and Policy affiliated to it will help the decision makers to face this challenge and others to ensure the continued growth of the technology innovation field in Israel.
The opportunities inherent in the Abrahamic agreements:
The historic Abraham agreements ushered in a new era of business opportunities for our regions. Start-Up Nation Central is a natural strategic partner for promoting this important process and connecting governments and companies in the region with the Israeli ecosystem - to leverage regional technological innovation. Last April, during a visit by the Honorable Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Israel, Mohammed Al Haja, A joint task force of the organization and the ambassador was launched In order to promote cooperation between the two countries, based on technological innovation.
Last night (July 13.7) the Honorable Minister of Food and Water Security of the United Arab Emirates, Miriam Al Mehairi, met with the management of Start-Up Nation Central at the organization's headquarters in Tel Aviv, accompanied by the ambassador of the Union. and food. The two sides then decided on Cooperation agreement in the fields of technological innovation, which will be able to respond to the unique needs of the countries. At the same time, the Start-Up Nation Central team began working with various partners in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to build meaningful relationships.
Terry Castle, Chairman of the Start-Up Nation Central Board of Directors: "We are proud and welcome Avi Hasson joining us to lead Start-Up Nation Central. My father has almost three decades of his life in management and leadership positions in the field of innovation and technology in Israel. He has unique skills that will allow him to lead the organization's work and expand the influence of Israeli innovation to other countries in our region and to the entire world. Due to the entire world dealing with the Corona epidemic and after the signing of groundbreaking political agreements in the region, leaders and heads of international corporations are looking for solutions to their greatest challenges, and today, more than ever, they are looking to Israel. The Start-Up Nation Central organization will be able to meet this need according to my father's vision and under his leadership."
Avi Hasson, incoming CEO of Start-Up Nation Central: "There couldn't be a better time to join
to Start-Up Nation Central than now. The technological ecosystem in Israel is at a stage of unprecedented potential. The organization does important work in promoting innovation in Israel and exporting it to the world. This position is a great privilege in my eyes. I am very much looking forward to working with the Start-Up Nation Central team in order to leverage the tremendous capabilities of the organization, its rich experience and the professional platform it has created and to bring about achievements in the field of Israeli innovation in Israel and around the world."
Avi Hasson will assume the position of CEO of Start-Up Nation Central on September 1, 2021. Detailed terms of reference of the incoming CEO are attached at the end of this announcement.
About Start-Up Nation Central
Start-Up Nation Central is a non-profit organization. Since its establishment in 2013, the organization has been helping to leverage the innovation industry in the field of Israeli technology for the sake of strengthening Israel's economy. The organization initiates and promotes business connections between Israeli start-ups and governments and corporations around the world. To this end, the organization maps all the factors operating in the field of technological innovation in Israel on a regular basis and makes the information accessible on the innovation tracking platform, Start-Up Nation Finder, for the service of investors and organizations worldwide.
for further details:
Hadar Tzur - Debi Communications
Avi Hasson - CV
| Avi Hasson, CEO Start-Up Nation Central Photo: Vared Farkash |
Avi Hasson was the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Economy and Industry in 2011-2017, initiated the establishment of the Innovation Authority and was its founding chairman. He led the strategic-organizational change that resulted in the Office of the Chief Scientist becoming the Innovation Authority as a new statutory body.
Before his position in the government, Hasson was a partner in the "Gemini Israel" fund, one of the leading venture capital funds in the country. He managed the investments in the fields of communication, storage and electronics. Upon leaving the Innovation Authority, he joined "Imerj" as a partner - a venture capital fund for early recruitment stages.
Another solid business for about a decade in senior positions in leading telecommunication companies. He is a graduate of the IDF's Haman-Talpiot program, and during his military service he was an intelligence officer in the Elite 8200 unit.
Today Hasson is a member of the board of directors of the Sheba Medical Center - Tel Hashomer and the board of directors of the SpaceIL association, which was established with the goal of landing the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon and which promotes scientific and technological education. Hasson is a member of the board of directors of Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ: TSEM), A unique company leading in the development and production of advanced technological solutions for the electronics industry in the field of chips. In addition, Hassan serves as a member of the board of directors of the Israel Tech Challenge organization, which offers training programs to address the shortage of skilled human capital in the field of technology and technological innovation in Israel.
Hasson has a bachelor's degree in economics and Middle Eastern studies and a master's degree in business administration from Tel Aviv University.
