About the Israeli Chapter of the IEEE Computer Society

The Israeli Chapter of the IEEE Computer Society has taken on the goal of promoting computer and software technology in Israel through study, research, and application. One of the distinctive features of the Israeli hi-tech industry is not only the sheer number of start-ups but also the large proportion of start-ups run by repeat entrepreneurs. It is instructive to compare America and Israel. In America, around 5% of start-ups are headed by repeat entrepreneurs, compared with around 30% in Israel. In a recent article in The Economist, Israel ranks 10 in the world in the number of registered patents per population. These facts reflect special Israeli qualities. Israelis (and, historically, Jews) have always had to live by their wits in order to survive dangerous environments. Boldness, risk-taking, and innovative spirit can be said to be at the heart of Israeli life. Innovation can come from without as well as within. This approach is known as “network innovation,” and is not limited to electronics. It has been embraced by companies which have realized the power of admitting that not all good ideas start at home. Making network innovation work involves cultivating contacts with start-ups and academic researchers, constantly scouting for new ideas and ensuring that engineers do not fall prey to “Not Invented Here” syndrome, which always values in-house ideas over those from outside. The Israeli Chapter of the IEEE Computer Society promotes an active exchange of information, ideas, and technological innovation among its professional members. Welcome to SwSTE 2007!