The Start-Up Nation and the Lucky Country
If you want to meet with the ASX you’ll have a better chance of bumping into them in Tel Aviv than in Melbourne or Sydney.
In the past couple of years, the ASX have sent multiple delegations of very senior people to Israel. They run workshops, attend functions and meet with the numerous Israeli companies that are looking to list on the ASX. One of our clients is working towards becoming the 18th Israeli company to list in Australia.
In recent years, the Australian government has also established the Tel Aviv Landing Pad. This provides Australian start-ups with the unique opportunity to spend time in Israel, accessing the Israeli innovation ecosystem, learning and collaborating.
The Israel Australia Chamber of Commerce organises delegations of Australians that come to Israel on various missions. Whether it’s businessmen, investors, scientists or politicians, in the last couple of years they have a new delegation arriving almost every second week.
Since opening our Israel office we have witnessed continuing growth in the business opportunities and trade between Australia and Israel.
Why is there such an interest?
A number of reasons have been suggested. Australia and Israel have historically had a very close relationship, both politically and militarily. In September last year we marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba, where Australian forces played a critical role in removing the land of Israel from the control of the Ottoman Empire. Australian politicians who visited for the occasion were proud to remind us that Australia was the first country to vote in favour of the establishment of the state of Israel in the historic UN vote of 1947.
There are many similarities between the cultures and the economies of these two nations. Both countries have a relatively small population and need to be outward looking. Both countries have a high percentage of arid land and a keen interest in water conservation and Ag-tech. Both countries are looking to innovation and technology as the key driver of future economic growth.
“Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle” is a book written in 2009 that examined Israel’s remarkable economic success under very difficult circumstances. The book noted that Israel has more companies listed on the NASDAQ than any other foreign country. Since that book was written things have only increased. The enormous number of Israeli start-up companies brings with it a whole ecosystem – with incubators, VC funds and advisers.
There is a palpable excitement in the Israeli start-up scene.
For our Israeli clients, Australia offers a stable, democratic society with consistent economic growth, the opportunity for raising capital and a launching pad into the enormous Asian markets.
For our Australian clients, Israel offers exciting investment opportunities and the chance to collaborate with cutting-edge innovators in many different sectors.
With an office in Israel we are uniquely placed to help our Australian clients that are interested in Israel and our Israeli clients that are interested in Australia. Whether you are a new immigrant who wants to buy a home or a large corporation that wants to set up a local presence or raise capital – we have the cross-jurisdictional experience to give you the help that you need.
If you would like further information on Australia-Israel matters please don’t hesitate to contact the head of our Israel office, Allon Ledder on (03) 9998 0416 or +972 545 939 212.
