The Israeli Government’s Role in the 'Start-Up Nation'

Registration — 8:30am Presentation— 9:00am to 10:30am Join us for a lively discussion with Israel’s Economic Minister on promoting innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit! Recognizing the importance of the technology sector to the economic growth and welfare of the country, the Israeli Government has over the years established many incentives to encourage and support investment in technology oriented companies and projects. Government support came in the form of tax relief, government grants (through the Office of the Chief Scientist) and the establishment of technological incubators. This program will focus on the lessons that may be learned from what Israel has done and how these lessons can be used to support Rhode Island businesses and government supported entities.

Speaker(s): Nili Shalev- Nili Shalev, Israel’s Economic Minister to North America, has more than 20 years of experience representing the Ministry of Industry and Trade in a wide range of executive positions. Appointed to her present position in the summer of 2011, Ms. Shalev is responsi-ble for promoting trade and investment between North America and Israel. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Director of the International Projects and Financing Department at the Foreign Trade Administration in the Ministry of Industry Trade and Labor. She managed several multimillion dollar funds in order to promote and finance Israeli industries. In 2010, Ms. Shalev was the Executive Director of the Foreign Trade Administration elite cadet course for commercial attaché’s. Since first joining the Ministry of Industry Trade and Labor in 1995, Ms. Shalev held several senior positions. She was the Director of the Government SEED Fund at the Office of the Chief Scientist, a multimillion dollar support program aimed at providing in

Co-Sponsor(s): Brought to you by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, and the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University in collaboration with the Government of Israel Economic Mission to North America, the Consulate General of Israel to New England, Nevel International LLC and New England-Israel Business Council.

Fee: No Cost