Israeli Bioscience Entrepreneurs Visit Greater Cleveland

Israeli entrepreneurs are looking for stronger ties to U.S. companies, universities and funding sources. The message is this: we can grow stronger by working together. This is the same message I have been promoting to all who will listen in the economic development community. Form national and global partnerships. Build the organizational capacity to undertake economic development on a global scale. Economic development organizations worldwide work together. United we stand, divided we fall.

A group of about 20 Israeli bioscience firms will be meeting with Ohio companies and economic development officials this week in Greater Cleveland. The aim for both sides is to identify new opportunities to work together in the future.

This is a good move for Greater Cleveland and a feather in the cap of the Ohio-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cleveland Growth Association, Cleveland World Trade Association, Beachwood Chamber of Commerce and other supporting economic development groups. Congratulations!

I suspect that everyone will learn a great deal from the visit. Hopefully even some deals will be signed along with all the valuable learning that takes place. Greater Cleveland has strong ties to Israel. The history, culture and values of the country and its people are familiar. That's essential for successful international business cooperation.

Which Israeli companies will be attending? Here is a partial list

Selected Israeli Participants

-Biosensor Systems Design
-BioTerm Ltd
-BIRD Foundation
-Compugen
-Elcam Medical
-Glycominds Ltd.
-Keryx Biopharmaceuticals
-LifeWave Ltd.
-Medogar
-Muscle Tech
-Nexense Inc. (formerly Girad Systems Ltd.)
-Ninbar
-Predix Pharmaceuticals
-Shekel Electronic Scales
-Solubest Ltd.
-Vascular Biogenics Ltd.

Who is having success in attracting Israeli businesses? Just talk to the folks in Boston, Baltimore and Atlanta. Atlanta alone has attracted over 70 high tech Israeli companies to its region.

Where's the money coming from? Several corners, but check out what the BIRD Foundation is doing. This is worthy of your attention. Click here to visit BIRD's website.

I have been thinking for sometime that "sister-city ties" could be used to promote innovative new business and economic relationships. Many cities, counties and states have found that to be the case. Connections with Israeli technology and entrepreneurs are very hot now, especially in light of the turbulent state of world affairs. So, what sister-city relationships exist between Israel and the U.S. Here a list of those we are aware of.

Israeli City/U.S. City
-Afula-Gilboa Region/New Haven, Connecticut
-Akko/Deerfield Beach, Florida
-Arad, Central/Burlington, Vermont
-Ashkelon, Central/Portland, Oregon
-Beer Sheva, Central/Seattle, Washington
-Eilat/Los Angeles, California
-Givatayim/Chattanooga, Tennessee
-Haifa/San Francisco, California
-Hatzor/Reno, Nevada
-Herzliyya/San Bernardino, California
-Herzliyya/Hollywood, Florida
-Herzliyya/Columbus, Ohio
-Holon/Dayton, Ohio
-Jerusalem/New York, New York
-Karmiel, Northern/Denver, Colorado
-Kirat Gat/Buffalo, New York
-Kiryat Ekron/Akron, Ohio
-Kiryat Motzkin/Tacoma, Washington
-Petach-Tikva/Chicago, Illinois
-Ra'nana/Atlanta, Georgia
-Ramat Gan/Miami Beach, Florida
-Ramat-Hasharon/Miami, Florida
-Ramla, Central/Kansas City, Missouri
-Rehovot/Rochester, New York
-Rishon Le Zion/Capitol Heights, MD, Maryland
-Tel Aviv/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
-Tel Mond/Sarasota, Florida
-Tiberias/Tulsa, Oklahoma
-Tiberias/Village of Great Neck, New York
-Yavne/Sunrise, Florida
-Yehud/Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

What are you seeing in your area? We would like to hear your thoughts.