Incubators in Israel

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the National Technological Incubators Program in Israel and the national technological and economic environment that led to its creation. In essence, a great business opportunity became apparent at the beginning of the 1990s, when a wave of immigration from the countries of the former Soviet Union brought with it a new inflow of technological skills. By way of a case study, the paper discusses the experiences of the Incubator for Technological Entrepreneurship Kiryat Weizmann (ITEK). ITEK, one of the first incubators to be established in Israel, has accumulated significant experience during its 10 years of activity in promoting, running and nurturing zero-stage technological start-ups. Its structure and activities are discussed in detail.