Much of the idealized frontier challenges are gone. Deserts and swamps have given way to fields, orchards or modern housing projects. But the same values of courage, idealism and chutzpah are as alive as ever. These days, from the Galilee to the Negev, in industrial parks and spare rooms, the new frontier is in hi-tech.

Economist May 1999, "The two leading centres for innovation, California and Israel, certainly have much in common… both depend heavily on immigrants; are highly competitive in their business practices; respect learning and qualifications; and disdain those unprepared to take a risk. Culture counts."

When many think of hi-tech they think of computer prodigies and brainy engineers, of cool MBAs and super-controlled environments. Of course, Israeli hi-tech is filled with exceptional people who have turned their talents into creating exceptional corporate successes. Meet 34-year-old Gil Schwed, founder, CEO and Chairman of Check Point Software Technologies , which has a 32% market share of network security software, who was named one of the 25 most "Influential Executives in the Information Technology Industry." And Amnon Landan, CEO of Mercury Interactive , who was voted Forbe's "Entrepeneur of the Year - 2003." Amdocs is recognized as the world’s leading provider of CRM and billing technology. Tower Semiconductors, Aladdin, Scitex, Nice Systems, Ness Technologies... The list goes on.

Israel's hi-tech miracle was spurred partly by security needs which demanded the development of sophisticated weaponry, partly by the mass immigration of trained engineers from the Former Soviet Union during the 1990s, partly by a highly educated populace, and partly by government investment in civilian research and development (among the world's highest). However, the teeming industrial development has far outstripped its origins. Israeli hi-tech exports top the $15 billion mark annually. Israel's venture capital funds, as well as almost every major international investment house, heed all rumblings closely, vigilant in their search for the next golden egg.

But brains, education and investment aren't the whole story of Israel's hi-tech. The rest has to do with courage and daring. Israel's hi-tech challenge is for those with drive and imagination, innovators and experimenters. It is, in short, for the new Israeli pioneer. An Australian immigrant working in a hi-tech company explains, "Israeli hi-tech companies have an air of perpetual excitement. Everyone, from the CEO to the maintenance person works in an atmosphere of capturing the next hill. It brings out all of your resourcefulness and team spirit. For me, it is what I always dreamed Israel would be like, embodying the kibbutz spirit which built the country."

Based on an article by sociologist, Dr. Mati Schwartz.

Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation – 109 per 10,000 people – and has one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed. In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world. In absolute terms, Israel has the 2nd largest number after the U.S. Israel is ranked 2nd in the world for venture capital investment, after the U.S. After the US and Canada, Israel has the largest number of NASDAQ-listed companies. Israel has the world's second highest per capita of new books published annually. With more than 4,000 hi-tech companies and start-ups, Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies in the world (apart from the Silicon Valley). Israel has the highest percentage in the world of home computers per capita. Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 in the U.S. and less than 60 in Germany. Most of the Windows operating system was developed by Microsoft-Israel. Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R&D facilities outside the U.S. in Israel. AOL Instant Messenger technology was developed by four young Israelis in 1996. An Israeli company was the first to develop and install a large-scale solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant, in California’s Mojave desert. (Canadian Technion Society)

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