Newsletter No. 6 - August 2016
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the sixth issue of the Israel Lithuania Technology Hub Newsletter, in which we aim to keep you informed of the Hub's activities, events, updates and development in the fields of Life Science and technology in Israel and Lithuania. The HUB partnered with others in a very successful event at the June Tech Ra’anana Conference. A special dedicated “Lithuanian business” panel session was held within; "Vilnius – Ra’anana Partnership in Innovation”. The Hub Team and guests from Israel and Lithuania participated in the panel discussion addressing the present and future collaboration between Israeli and Lithuanian technology companies, respective advantages in each market and the synergies.
See below updates on the upcoming Life Science Baltics 2016 Conference (LSB 2016) that will take place on the 14-15 September 2016 in Vilnius. We are delighted to report that Dr. Aleksandras Abišala, former Prime Minister of Lithuania and the founding partner of A. Abisala & Partners Consulting, has joined our Advisory Board. Dr. Abisala also participated in the Panel discussion at the June Tech Conference.
Recent changes in our Hub Team include Zvika Kezurer, our ICT Director taking over the chair of the ILTH. Len Judes remains on the HUB Board and Chairman of the Israeli Lithuania Chamber of Commerce (ILCCI). We are also happy to welcome Ms. Rima Blumenzon, who has joined the HUB. Furthermore, my term of service to the HUB has come to an end and I will no longer serve as the Hub's CEO. It was a pleasure and a great honor to be part of the ILTH team. I’m glad for the opportunity to have collaborated with all of our partners. The Hub Team wishes you and your families a pleasant summer! Ronen Gruber CEO, The Israel Lithuania Technology Hub ronen@ilth.org can be reached from now on at: roneng@techknow.co.il Tel:972-54-4578620
“Vilnius – Ra’anana Partnership in Innovation” panel at the June Tech Conference in Ra’anana
Great success for the Lithuanian panel which was part of the June Tech conference in Ra’anana. The event was jointly organized by the ILTH and the Municipality of Ra’anana. The Conference was opened by the Mayor of Ra'anana, Mr. Ze’ev Bielski, who welcomed the participants and noted positively the impressive growth of high-tech industry in Israel. Lithuanian Ambassador to Israel, H.E. Edmundas Bagdonas delivered opening remarks, which praised the cooperation relations between Israel and Lithuania. Below: Greetings from Mayor of Ra’anana Mr. Ze'ev Bielski
Below: Greetings by the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania H.E. Mr. Edminas Bagdonas
The Lithuanian Business Discussion Panel was moderated by Len Judes, Chairman of the Israel-Lithuania Chamber of Commerce and Industry and addressed the present and future collaboration between Israeli and Lithuanian technology companies, respective advantages in each market and the synergies.
Below: (from L to R) : Dr. Aleksandras Abišala, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in Israel H.E. Mr. Edminas Bagdonas, Len Judes and Mayor of Ra’anana Mr. Ze'ev Bielski
Dr. Aleksandras Abišala, a member of the Board of our Hub and former Prime Minister of Lithuania said “Lithuania can be a gateway to the EU for Israeli companies”, when speaking on business ties between the two countries. Ze’ev Zelig, director of Life Sciences, said of Lithuanians that they are “looking for innovation and want to succeed. Lithuania is positioned between Russia, Scandinavia and the West,” he continued. “Israeli companies wishing to export to these countries are the best potential partners for cooperation with Lithuania”. According to Boaz Inbal, Director of the development centers of WIX in Europe, Lithuania offers “talented and passionate people.”
Below: (from L to R) : Mr. Zeev Zelig, Director of Life Science – ILTH and the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania H.E. Mr. Edminas Bagdonas
To read more about the panel click here Below - The Lithuanian Panel Session (L to R). Moderator Len Judes, Chairman of the ILCCI, Mr. Zeev Zelig, Director of Life Science - ILTH, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania H.E. Mr. Edminas Bagdonas, former Prime Minister of Lithuania and founding partner of Abisala consultants, H.E., Dr. Alkesandras Abisala, Mr. Darius Zakaitis, the Principal and Manager of the Vilnius Tech Park, Mr. Idan Meir, Manager of Hubanana and Mr. Boaz Inbal, General Manager, Dev. Centers Europe at WIX.
Israeli and Lithuanian tech hubs agree startup exchange and partnership program
We are excited to report that a new partnership between Ra’anana startups and local technology community and their Lithuanian counterparts in Vilnius was finally brought to fruition. The Panel was concluded by signing a MOU and a startup exchange program between our Hub, the Hubanana tech hub and Vilnius Tech Park in Vilnius. The agreement includes measures for connecting the Israeli and Lithuanian startup ecosystems, and will create an ongoing startup exchange program between the two hubs. The cooperation between the two tech hubs is not limited to the exchange of programs. Annual joint events for both communities are currently being discussed. In the following months, both organizations will define the criteria for startups to participate in the exchange program, which will then be launched as part of Vilnius Tech Park. To read more about the agreement click here Below: (from L to R) : The startup exchange partnership agreement was signed by Len Judes, Darius Zakaitis, the Principal and Manager of the Vilnius Technology Park, Mr. Idan Meir, Manager of Hubanana
Lithuanian business delegation visiting Ra’anana
The Lithuanian Panel was followed by a number of meetings for the Lithuanian business delegation attending the Ra’anana Tech Conference, with Israeli local high-tech companies working in IT (including NICE, cyber security company Cyberbit and business accelerator Lighthouse). Below: Meeting with Cyberbit a cyber security company to discuss future potential business partnership
Below: Lithuanian business delegation visiting the Lighthouse accelerator in Ra’anana
Hubanana 3rd Annual Event
The ILTH Team participated at the Hubanana annual event, which took place during the “June Tech” month events. To read more about the event (in Hebrew) click here Below: The ILTH Team: (L to R) Ronen Gruber, Tomas Navardauskas, and Len Judes at Hubanana event.
Upcoming LSB 2016
The 3rd Life Sciences Baltics Forum, is to be held in Vilnius, on 14-15 September, 2016. Life Sciences Baltics is an International Forum for world class biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical devices experts. Previous Life Sciences Baltics Forum Conferences had introduced significant potential for life sciences industries in the Baltic States to almost 2000 participants from 40 countries. Prof. Dan Shechtman, Chemistry Nobel Prize laureate has confirmed his attendance in the Forum, as key note speaker. For more details on Life Sciences Baltics 2016 click here Below: Prof. Dan Shechtman
Startup Visa Approved by the Lithuanian Parliament
On Thursday, the Lithuanian Parliament approved the amendments of the Migration Law which defines an easier process of acquiring rights for permanent residency for citizens of non EU/EEA countries who wish to run innovative businesses in Lithuania. The “Startup Visa” is expected to come into force from January 2017. To read more click here
For additional news you can visit our website: www.ilth.org
