World news story

UK-Israel Tech Hub launches TeXchange

The UK Israel Tech Hub launches TeXchange, a tech and innovation exchange programme for British and Israeli entrepreneurs

From:
British Embassy Tel Aviv
Published
22 August 2012
This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

On 22 August , the UK Israel Tech Hub and UK Trade and Investment at the British Embassy Israel together with London-based Tech City Investment Organisation are launching TeXchange, a unique tech exchange programme between British and Israeli entrepreneurs. This selective programme will take place three to four times a year, with the first group of approximately 15 Israeli entrepreneurs heading to the UK on 26-29 November, 2012.

The UK has proven itself the ideal target market for internet start-ups: Ranked #1 worldwide in size of its Internet Economy, with online retail nearly three times as strong as in the U.S., and online advertising nearly double, according to a recent report by the Boston Consulting Group.

TeXchange will give Israeli internet start-ups a launch pad to grow their businesses in this exciting stimulating environment. The programme will fly them to the UK, where they’ll meet potential customers, investors and partners and receive the opportunity to tap into Tech City UK – Europe’s fastest-growing tech cluster, through an exciting programme of events.

The first track of TeXchange, in November 2012, will focus on internet companies with solutions in gaming, adtech, mobile, e-commerce, social media, video and more. Participant companies will be selected by an experienced judging panel, chaired by Haim Shani, Chairman of the UK Israel Tech Hub.

The objective of this programme is to create an ongoing two-way flow of tech pioneers, ideas and technology between the UK and Israel. It will create a platform for collaboration of entrepreneurs and companies, giving British corporations a route to benefit from Israeli technological innovation, and tying Israeli companies to the UK’s leading companies, markets and service providers.

Naomi Krieger, Director of the UK Israel Tech Hub:

Despite the tremendous opportunities for Israeli internet start-ups in the UK, many of them feel they don’t know how to start doing business there. In a few focused days, TeXchange will give the best of them the contacts and tools they need to get started.

More about TeXchange – The UK – Israel Tech Exchange Programme for Entrepreneurs

TeXchange will be a structured, selective programme taking place several times a year. Select groups of leading Israeli entrepreneurs (start ups in early to mid-stage) will spend up to a week in the UK, based at programme partner co-working spaces at Tech City and other UK locations. They will participate in “Meet the Customers” and “Meet the Investors” events set up with leading British firms, meet potential partners and collaborators, attend tech networking events, have mentoring sessions with industry gurus, and experience London’s ‘Tech City’. The programme will also cover the cost of flights to the UK and participants will receive assistance in setting up 1:1 meetings in their field, and logistical support.

Select groups of British entrepreneurs will visit Israel with a similar programme, tapping into the power of the Israeli “Start-up Nation”, meeting local entrepreneurs, investors and mentors.

About the application process and how Israel start-ups can apply to join TeXchange in London in November:

  • Link to online application form
  • The deadline for receiving applications for the first track is 20th September
  • All applications will be evaluated by a judging panel chaired by Haim Shani, Chairman of the UK Israel Tech Hub.
  • All companies will be informed if their application has been successful or not during the first week of October.
  • The successful companies will then be invited to a reception at the British Ambassador’s residence with leading figures in the tech scene, before leaving to London.

Further information about the UK Israel Tech Hub

The UK Israel Tech Hub was launched in October 2011 at the British Embassy Israel. The Hub’s mission is to promote a partnership in technology between the UK and Israel, as a means of boosting innovation and economic growth in both countries. The Hub helps identify and bring innovative Israeli technology to British companies, and helps Israeli tech companies work with the UK as a partner of choice in their global growth.

Published 22 August 2012