In this edition of ‘Doing Business in Israel’, we focus on startup accelerator programs, which are sprouting here faster than ever. Even though accelerator programs are not a new phenomenon in Israel, initially they were backed mainly by the government and later by universities. Recently, more and more multinational companies (such as, Microsoft, Google and IBM, to name a few) are starting their own accelerator programs in various areas throughout the country; almost every week, a new accelerator program is created. 

We met with Elena Donets, the CEO at StarTau - Tel Aviv University Entrepreneurship Center – to learn how this ecosystem of more than 250 active accelerators was born. With the collaboration of Israel’s largest university, StarTau serves as a “one stop shop” for university students, graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs in general by offering them a wide variety of services, resources and connections to the business world. 

This edition also features a new project capitalizing on the searing desert sun in Israel’s south to create the world’s tallest thermal solar power tower. As always, we announce the latest transactions and share a cultural bite - this time a suggestion to take a beautiful stroll in the Israeli version of the “Gardens of Versailles”. 

October marks the start of a new year in the Hebrew calendar. I would like to wish you all “Shanah Tova” (Happy New Year).