Israel’s Influence In The 'Pittsburgh Technology Triangle'

You might not know it, but there is a history of Israel-Pittsburgh collaborative technology investments and transactions. It started as a trickle, but that trickle will develop into a flow, given the right circumstances. Israeli companies such as medical device company Flexicath, portfolio company Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse and dbMotion (recently acquired by Allscripts for an undisclosed amount), set up their U.S. operations in the greater Pittsburgh area several years ago. In addition, Ness Technologies recently announced the opening of a new software development center in Pittsburgh.

More recently, a new attempt to introduce Israeli companies to Pittsburgh area investors was kicked off. The Keiretsu Forum, the world's largest angel investor network, recently brought a number of Israeli startups to Pittsburgh to present their companies to local investors as part of the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Regions' Quarterly Israeli Deal Flow program. Five Israeli companies in the fields of internet technology, medical devices, transportation efficiency, human mobility products and drug development presented to a number of accredited investors. Although it is too early to tell whether any investments will be made, Israeli companies that have previously presented are currently under review to determine whether Keiretsu members will make an investment.

Earlier last month, the Israeli Deputy Consul General for the Mid-Atlantic Region visited Pittsburgh and met with a number of key players in the local technology ecosystem to explore ways to create and strengthen ties between the Israeli and Pittsburgh technology communities. This was just a first step, but hopefully the first of many to find ways to increase collaboration in the technology space between Israeli and Pittsburgh companies, academic institutions and sources of capital.

Academic institutions are also working to connect the dots between the Israeli and Pittsburgh technology ecosystems. Professor Paul Harper is creating a program in Global Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT