Foreword by Israel Ambassador*

Technology innovation has been the cornerstone of the success of the Israeli high-tech industry over the last decades. Israeli high-tech companies continue to be traded on NASDAQ where Israel has one of the largest numbers of companies listed for non-U.S. countries. Israel has consistently been a leader in Research & Development.

Israeli start-up companies continue to raise signifi cant amounts of funding from local and global investors. In fact, Israel is leading the world in terms of per capita VC investment, and is second only to the U.S. in terms of number of start-ups. Israel’s established excellence in technology development has been recognized by the global industry. Many of the leading international high-tech companies have established R&D activities in Israel.

START-UP NATION tells the story of Israel’s economic miracle. It will give the readers in Vietnam an opportunity to fi nd out how is it that Israel – a country of about 8 million people, only 65 years old, difficult geo-political conditions and with no natural resources—produces more start-up companies than most countries around the globe. 

Israel and Vietnam esta blished diplomatic relations 20 years ago. The cooperation between our countries is growing very fast, including in economy and trade. This book will enable our partners in Vietnam to understand more about Israel, its people and our engine – the Hi tech industry and in turn this understanding will allow for even a better cooperation in the future.