The Western Sydney Trade Delegation to Israel was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a knowledge based start-up nation with a very different approach to encouraging local innovation and attracting international investment. We learnt the value of strong government leadership in the venture capital space and benefited from the exposure to a unique forward thinking, risk taking, culture that values the importance of innovation in all aspects of the economy.

It was also an incredible experience to understand some of the history and geopolitics shaping the Middle East. The AICC were the perfect hosts, chaperoning us through history sites and centres of modern innovation which seems to flourish everywhere including the Negev Desert.

The Trade Mission to Israel organised by the AICC delivered more than I expected in terms of cultural immersion, Israel’s history and what a ‘culture of innovation’ looks like as a way of life. It didn’t take long for me to realise that I didn’t know what I didn’t know about the ‘Start-up Nation’ and I now understand how to align my own thoughts about innovation to Israel’s in a more valuable way. The mission was well-organised and ran like clockwork and I remain forever grateful to the AICC for the experience

I had the opportunity to join an AICC Trade Mission in July as part of a Western Sydney delegation and it was incredibly valuable to gain a detailed insight into Israel’s innovation ecosystem as well as meet and travel with a great cohort of delegates. The agenda curated by the AICC provided an opportunity to engage with Israel from a cultural, historic and geopolitical context which helped enormously when talking with universities, governments, startups and corporates. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in gaining a sophisticated view of Israel’s innovation to consider joining an AICC delegation.