Timeline of an Evolving Ecosystem

Phase 1: National survival strategy The development of the Israeli innovation ecosystem must be seen within the context of the last 120 years of Jews returning in large numbers to their homeland. Early Jewish settlers had no choice but to survive, addressing their existential needs with innovative solutions, trying, failing and trying again. Phase 2: Exporting innovation After the establishment of the country in 1948, Israelis discovered that innovative approaches developed locally can solve similar problems for many countries around the world. Israel started sharing its knowledge and expertise, identifying new problems along the way. Phase 3: The diffusion of technology In the early 1990’s, Israelis started to realize that the skills and expertise they developed could be used to address completely different challenges. In the past 25 years, the diffusion of Israeli technology around the world has led to Israel’s innovation ecosystem becoming one of the biggest and most technologically advanced innovation hubs in the world. This timeline summarizes the principal milestones of all three phases, clearly showing how Israel’s impressive technology ecosystem has evolved over the years – from the laying of the Technion’s cornerstone in 1912 up until Intel’s recent acquisition of Mobileye for $15.3 billion.