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"Silicon Creek" refers to the Tel Aviv metropolitan area of Israel (including satellite cities such as Herzliya, Ramat Gan, Ashdod, etc.), that is, the urban agglomeration of Gush Dan (Gush Dan) centered on Tel Aviv-Jaffa City, covering an area of about 1516Km² and a population of about 4.05 million in 2020.
Gush Dan occupies the coastal area of Israel's West Bank, and Tel Aviv, as the core of the close social, economic and cultural ties of the metropolitan area, brings together about 77% of Israel's start-ups, 81% of investment institutions and 85% of high-tech industries, and also attracts world high-tech giants such as Intel, Microsoft, Google, and Huawei to settle in.
▼ "Silicon Creek" Tel Aviv range schematic
01
Immigrants build a nation
Outside of wisdom, there is nothing
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Northern California "Silicon Valley", Southern California "Silicon Beach", New York "Silicon Alley"... Throughout the world-class science and technology innovation center that has been named "silicon", the rise story of "Silicon Wadi" Tel Aviv is more barren, heavier, and even more desperate.
▼ "Silicon Creek" overlook (Source: Wikipedia)
The despair of the rise of "Silicon Creek" must start with the "hellish" beginning of the founding of the state of Israel - this projectile country has extremely poor natural resources, most of the land is desert or even saline-alkali land, the country is seriously short of water, and there are almost no oil resources in the territory; More seriously, it is also in hostilities with neighboring Arab countries and has had many wars ...
▼ Jerusalem, Israel
▼ Jerusalem Wailing Wall | Photo @ Xue Zhongling
To survive, Israel must find wealth in barrenness and gain a foothold in the flames of war.
1. The germ of Silicon Creek
Military nationhood, embattled on all sides, only self-improvement
The rise of "Silicon Creek" can be traced back to the 60s of the last century, with the establishment of ECI Telecom in 1961, the establishment of Tadilan and Elron Electronics in 1962, of which Elron is known as the "fairchild of Israel", and later many companies in Silicon Creek developed around the company.
After the Third Middle East War in 1967, the French arms embargo against Israel became a decisive moment in the formation of the "Silicon Creek" high-tech industrial cluster. Since then, Israel has greatly increased its support for its own military industry, and military research and development has become an area in which Israel has absolute advantages in the world.
In addition to ensuring its own security, Israel began to pursue the civilian use and commercialization of military technology.
Tel Aviv in the 1960s (Source: Wikipedia)
In 1977, Israel implemented market-oriented reforms to encourage free trade and privatization of enterprises, and the groundbreaking commercial results based on military innovation were more market-oriented. By the early nineties, the number of successful international companies in Israel was slowly growing at 1 to 2 per year. The field of electronic information, which is closely related to military technology, has also become one of the budding industrial directions of Silicon Creek.
IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv (Source: Wikipedia)
2. The rise of clusters
Talent immigration, intellectual capital is the only weight
The real take-off of "Silicon Creek" came from the wave of immigration in the nineties.
Although Israel has long attracted the return of immigrants (mainly Jews) from around the world, in the nineties Israel exploded to welcome more than three million high-quality immigrants, especially Soviet immigrants.
The sharp contraction of the Soviet national military industry in 1989 and the disintegration in 1991 led to a large surplus of national scientists, engineers and technicians and immigration to Israel, and the "Silicon Creek" area centered on Tel Aviv became the main destination for their immigration, and they became an important driving force for the rise of "Silicon Creek".
▼ Israeli immigration statistics
Leaving no effort to attract talent is also Israel's national strategy. Israel has established a "Ministry of Immigration Attraction", which is on a par with the Ministry of Defense and is specifically responsible for talent introduction; In the "Silicon Creek" area alone, there are more than a dozen offices of the Ministry of Immigration Attraction.
The Ministry of Immigration Attraction has formulated a number of targeted policies and programs for top scientists, young immigrant talents, etc., from settling down to job support, to help them "return" and stay in Israel.
▼ Integration services for Israeli immigrants
It is these highly qualified immigrants from around the world who are not afraid to start over, bringing the most advanced skills and talents to Israel, making Israel a "pioneer country" that respects dreams and innovates thinking; They have engraved the spirit of adventure in the genes of "Silicon Creek" since the beginning of its development and has become the cornerstone of sustainable innovation here.
"Silicon Creek" has not failed these pioneers, and it has built itself into a fertile ground for innovation to realize their dreams——
02
Incubator program
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John Sculley, former president of Apple, once frankly said about Israel's innovation efficiency: "In the United States, technology transfer takes up to seven years, and there is a risk of technology obsolescence. In Israel, technology transfer is often very rapid, a year or even a few months." From a country of immigrants to a business destination, the success of "Silicon Creek" relies on a precision-designed national innovation incubation system.
▼ Illustration of Israel's national innovation system
1. "Central Innovation Agency" to support the growth of enterprises
In response to the high level of uncertainty about scientific innovation and commercialization, Israel allows people who understand science to truly manage science by betting on the office of the chief scientist, the national central innovation agency, rather than "entrepreneurs", to support the growth of start-ups and achieve the vigorous development of the industry.
**"Note: In 2016, Israel established the NATI-National authority for technology and innovation to replace the Office of the Chief Scientist to consolidate the advantages of the start-up nation, and for ease of expression, the following article is collectively referred to as OCS."
▼ OCS logo (Source: OCS official website)
The OCS is composed of the best experts and academics and is responsible for the determination of the national science and technology system. Internally, OCS coordinates the allocation of research funds, connects industry-university institutions, and establishes technology incubation centers; External OCS coordinates international cooperation in technology research and development, attracts the establishment of multilateral cooperation funds, etc.;
In short, it is OCS that cultivates a fertile ground for start-ups to provide technical support and global capital support, so that "anyone, any company, any project" can get the fastest help.
▼ Illustration of the main activities of OCS
In view of the growth of start-ups, the design of OCS's support system is particularly ingenious:
First, the whole chain follows the entrepreneurial development of enterprises, but focuses on the most vulnerable start-up front end. In the innovation chain of the "pre-seed stage - general R&D stage - technology incubation and transformation" stage, the pre-seed stage can receive up to 85% financial support.
Second, share entrepreneurial risks, but not share benefits. The Government provides "soft loans" for start-ups with 85% of the R&D costs. If the business fails, there is no need to repay the government loan, and if the business is successful, the loan will only be repaid at a low interest rate of 3%.
Third, establish a "mentor system". Professionals from industry, business and academic institutions serve as general managers and "project committees" to oversee and guide the growth of entrepreneurs.
From 1991 to the end of 2012, the Israeli government funded the incubation of more than 1,700 enterprises, of which more than 1,500 were successfully incubated, with a success rate of 88%.
2. Complete "Technology Transfer Mechanism"
"Industry-university-research" cooperation is the standard for almost all innovative industrial clusters, and Silicon Creek and even Israel are no exception.
Tel Aviv University (Source: Wikipedia)
★ For example, universities have set up Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) to be responsible for the commercialization of innovative achievements and applied technologies. The Weizmann Institute of Science, known as the "brain of Israeli science and technology research and development", is the first university in Israel to establish a TTO.
★ For example, it prepares to establish the "Science, Industry and Trade Chain Commercialization Development Company" as an intermediary between scientific research institutions and production enterprises, focusing on applied research and finding investors, and participating in the preparation of start-ups on behalf of universities.
▼ Weizmann Institute of Science in Ruihovoort (Source: Wikipedia)
In addition to "industry-university" technology transfer, as mentioned above, "military-civilian" technology transfer is the source of the development of Israel's technology industry. Under the universal compulsory military service system, the military places the most talented young people in important departments to receive intensive training related to science and engineering, and these retired R&D soldiers become the medium for disseminating cutting-edge technology. In addition, the Israeli army works closely with private companies:
★ Collaborative R&D. In Israel, if the R&D of commercial projects requires the help of military technology, R&D can be carried out in cooperation with the military; At the same time, if the military has innovative ideas but lacks the time and human resources to implement them, it will also seek help from the society and cooperate and jointly develop them.
★ Equipment sharing. The Israeli army can share world-class equipment with private companies, and commercial projects can turn to the army for help and test and work on its equipment.
03
Prayer in Jerusalem
Rides in Tel Aviv
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To ensure the sustainable development of the "Startup City", entrepreneurial support alone is not enough, Tel Aviv needs to build a home for the "entrepreneurial adventurers" with brains who can truly live and enjoy life, and retain those global returnees who pioneer the future.
▼ Tel Aviv's "Homecoming"
How did Tel Aviv "Silicon Creek" build a new home for global immigrants?
Tel Aviv's answer is to benchmark internationally and future-oriented, becoming a global city with the charm of attracting global immigrants and investment.
It is precisely because of this that Tel Aviv rarely traces its history, but creates a modern and fashionable urban style; It does not emphasize the singularity of identity, but creates an inclusive, free and open atmosphere; Instead of treaties and solemnities that portray doctrines, the city of the Middle East that never sleeps is created.
▼ Jerusalem of religion
▼ Fun Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv belongs to Israel, but to the world, here in the Middle East, but more like the "New York of the Middle East".
1. Test field of modern architecture
Tel Aviv has been a testing ground for modern urban planning and architecture since the day of planning.
In 1925, the Scottish architect Patrick Gades proposed the Tel Aviv City Master Plan inspired by Howard's idyllic city, which was approved.
Over the next 20 years, European architects brought modernist architectural ideas to Tel Aviv – they believed that asymmetrical layouts, regular repetitions, multifunctional, simple and unadorned modern buildings were more suitable for the young city, and such buildings were influenced by the German Bauhaus school, also known as "Bauhaus architecture".
▼ "Bauhaus architecture" in the White City
Based on Patrick's urban plan, Tel Aviv was built with about 4,000 modern "experimental" buildings, many of which were painted with light stucco and stood out in the sunlight, so it was also called the "White City".
As a representative of modern urban planning and architecture, the White City became the youngest UNESCO World Heritage Site.
▼ Overlook of the White City (Source: Wikipedia)
With the expansion of Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv has continued its original planning fabric. The city expands outward along the main roads wrapped around the White City, including Rothschild, known as "Silicon Valley Avenue" to the south, and Dizengoff, which extends north.
▼ Tel Aviv urban planning fabric
The construction of Tel Aviv's new city pays special attention to the image of an international metropolis as a "city of innovation", mainly modern high-rise buildings, and emphasizes the sense of design in the architectural form and façade, and the changing architectural form highlights the modernity and rhythm of the city.
▼ Drawn city skyline
▼ Modern architecture on the streets of Tel Aviv
Among them, the Azrieli Center, an international landmark located in the city center, is 187 meters high, consisting of three geometric buildings with cylinders, cuboids and triangles, and is also the operating center of Israel's high-tech, real estate and stock markets.
▼ Azrieli Center
2. Miami in the Mediterranean
Life in Tel Aviv is not only busy and dreamy, but also coastal beaches, sunsets.
▼ Sunset over the beach in Tel Aviv
An ancient city, a beach, a port, Tel Aviv west stretches 5KM of coastline, making it a world-renowned leisure paradise, also known as the "Miami of the Mediterranean". The vibrant and resort space has become the favorite life carrier of immigrants.
(1) A "young" ancient city
To the south of the coastline is the ancient city of Jaffa, known as the "bride of the Mediterranean". Today's Jaffa is also the "Yopa" of the Hebrew Bible, dating back to 7500 BC.
Protected and repaired stone brick paths, stone houses and stone buildings, telling the thousand-year-old years; The blue doors and windows, handrails, street signs, and lighting dotted everywhere in the ancient city give the ancient city a brighter and more romantic atmosphere; A combination of mystery and romance, the ancient city of Jaffa became a popular spot for wedding photos for Israelis.
▼ The ancient city of Jaffa
In order to attract citizens and tourists, the ancient city has been carefully packaged with more "youthful", the most distinctive of which are the "Constellation Wishing Bridge" and "Constellation Street".
On the "Constellation Wishing Bridge", there are signs of twelve constellations, and visitors can hold the signs of their own zodiac signs to make wishes; In addition, in order to increase the fun of visiting, each street in the ancient city of Jaffa is named after a constellation, and an exclusive "constellation door number" is hung on the street to take photos with their own exclusive constellations, which has also become an important project for visiting the ancient city of Jaffa.
▼ Constellation Bridge
▼ Logo on the Constellation Bridge
▼ Constellation Street sign
The "youthfulness" of the ancient city is also reflected in its "artistic" transformation. Through the installation of art sculptures, the introduction of art galleries, art flea markets, street art performances, etc., it has become a surprise place for hipsters to "explore cultural treasures".
▼ Artistic decoration of the ancient city
▼ Sculpture of the ancient city
(2). Vibrant sandy beaches
"Sunny Beach" has an unparalleled attraction for scientific and technological talents. Whether it is the "Silicon Beach" in Los Angeles or the "Côte d'Azur" in the south of France, innovation to the coast has become an important trend in the development of science and technology in the world. As one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Coastal Cities in the World" by National Geographic, Tel Aviv has kilometers of stretches of high-quality beaches.
▼ Beaches in Tel Aviv
In addition to "beauty", Tel Aviv's beaches are young, interesting and exciting——
On the fine white sand, young people, families and children can be seen everywhere or sunbathing or exercising; In the sea are men and women playing in the tide, windsurfing, surfing, kayaking, etc.;
▼ Active beach sports
On one side of the beach is a modern resort hotel with a staggered elevation, allowing visitors from all over the world to enjoy the charm and unrestrained nature of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.
▼ Waterfront architecture
(3). Trendy harbor
On the north side of Tel Aviv Beach, there is a docking port that has been neglected since the 60s. To revitalize the port, Tel Aviv transformed it into an urban public space that caters to the needs of modern citizens.
In the port renovation, Tel Aviv introduced a undulating, undulating wooden unlayered platform surface. This modern urban interface not only echoes the dune foundation of the port, but also serves as an urban stage that can accommodate a variety of informal events such as gatherings, art events, and niche sports.
▼ Marina City Stage
The ancient city, the beach, the port, these can be called Tel Aviv's "city living room", "urban back garden", these ancient, natural, and even abandoned urban elements, through the unremitting efforts of the government and citizens, show the diverse passion and vitality of modern innovative cities.
3. Capital of art
A city of scientific and technological innovation is often also a city of culture and art - exhibition halls, museums, concert halls and other cultural facilities are also the hearts of scientific and technological innovation talents.
In order to enhance the city's cultural attraction and accelerate international art and cultural exchanges, Tel Aviv has built a number of large-scale cultural facilities, among which the "Tel aviv museum of art" is the most representative.
▼ Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The museum has a collection of works by many masters including Van Gogh, Picasso, Modigliani, etc., and its architecture itself is also a work of art of modernist architecture in the "White City": the shape of the triangle, the flexible lines, reflecting the collision of avant-garde ideas and traditional structures; At the same time, the building's outdoor square is also a display space, and international landscape and sculpture masters often come to participate here.
▼ Artistic sculpture at the entrance of the museum
In addition to large-scale cultural facilities, the ubiquitous street art has infiltrated the artistic atmosphere into the blood of the city. Art shops, street sculptures, street paintings, street performances, etc. turn Tel Aviv into the most anticipated art capital, and there are often "beautiful" surprises around the corner.
▼ Artistic decoration of the street
▼ Street performances everywhere
4. New York City, Middle East
Unlike most Middle Eastern cities, "Silicon Creek" Tel Aviv is prosperous and open, with a 24-hour sleepless nightlife.
Every night falls to mark the city's awakening – restaurants, bars and nightclubs open on the city streets, especially on the promenade.
At the end of a busy day, science and technology talents relax and mingle freely under the catalyst of food and alcohol. The night economy is the city's best opportunity to give people a "work life balance".
▼ Night falls
Tel Aviv, which is "more beautiful at night", is naturally "more innovative at night", and "night" has also become the best carrier for the city to stimulate innovation. In the laughter of the bar, technology, information, business are exchanged and happening -
The City CNN-Money.com once posted: "IBM, Intel, Texas Instruments and other tech giants have flocked to Israel... Their best place to trade is Yoezer's bar, where there is a wide selection of wines...".
▼ Tel Aviv's night market
04
A global city that never stops
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While providing global immigrants with a dream life, Tel Aviv is also connecting with the world, promoting itself, providing a stage and window for immigrants to connect with the world, and making the world's talents and capital more willing to come to Tel Aviv and invest in Tel Aviv.
▼ Street view of Tel Aviv
1. Global city marketing
Tel Aviv attaches great importance to the marketing of its "innovation and entrepreneurship" characteristics - it has set up the "Tel Aviv Global City Office", a government company, which is responsible for operating and promoting the city's international brand.
The global city promotion is first reflected in the unique slogan "Nonstop CITY", which is intended to highlight Tel Aviv's image of innovation and business.
▼ A city in constant flux (Source: Wikipedia)
In addition, Tel Aviv Global Office also launched the "Tel Aviv Start-Up City Tour", which takes visitors to experience Tel Aviv's advantages in "technology, talent, entrepreneurship":
Public libraries, "Silicon Valley Avenue" Rothschild Avenue, startups, R&D centers, incubators and other multi-faceted sites in Tel Aviv's entrepreneurial ecosystem are arranged into the tour route, allowing visitors to truly understand Tel Aviv's innovation vitality.
▼ Modern Tel Aviv
2. The activity never stops
Tel Aviv has also created events and festivals dedicated to "innovation". The most representative is Tel Aviv's "eye-catching" and "gold-absorbing" magic weapon - the annual DLD Tel Aviv Innovation Festival.
The Innovation Festival includes 100 innovation activities, including innovation competitions, city summits, digital conferences and other blockbuster events that connect the eight-day agenda; Innovative companies, investors, venture capital funds, corporate representatives, etc. from all over the world gather in this innovation event to find innovative opportunities, and also bring more resources and contacts to Tel Aviv innovation, pushing Tel Aviv to the international stage.
In addition to the DLD Innovation Festival, more than 100 large and small international forums and exhibitions have become part of Tel Aviv's international exchange system.
Modern Tel Aviv (Source: Wikipedia)
The rise of "Silicon Creek" is Tel Aviv's tight grasp of the technological miracle created by "global migration".
This "half sea, half flame" city, let go of the burden of history, shoulder the "despair" of reality, face the international and future, and create a new hometown full of "hope" for immigrants who can bravely try and make mistakes, freely dream of dreams, enjoy life, and dialogue with the world.
NONSTOP, TEL-AVIV!
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