Israeli Start-Up Nation Central appoints Avi Hasson as new CEO

Start-Up Nation Central, the independent not-for-profit organization connecting global corporations, investors, and governments to the Israeli tech innovation ecosystem, announced the appointment of Avi Hasson as its next Chief Executive Officer.

Hasson's career spans executive leadership roles in the business, technology, and not-for-profit sectors. He served as Chief Scientist at Israel's Ministry of Economy and Industry, and as Founding Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), the government entity tasked with planning and executing innovation policy in Israel. Prior to his government service, Hasson was a General Partner at Gemini Israel Funds, one of Israel's top venture capital firms. Upon leaving his position at the IIA in 2017, he joined early-stage venture firm Emerge as a General Partner, and serves on the board of Tower Semiconductor - the leading foundry of high value analog semiconductor solutions.

In addition to his long record of public service, Avi has distinguished himself as a leader with some of Israel's most important not-for-profit organizations. He serves on the board of the Sheba Medical Center, SpaceIL – an organization promoting scientific and tech education with the aim of landing the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon – and the Israel Tech Challenge, which offers tech-training programs to address Israel's industry-wide tech talent shortage.

Terry Kassel, Chair, Start-Up Nation Central Board of Directors: "We are proud to welcome Avi Hasson to lead Start-Up Nation Central. Avi spent nearly three decades in various roles as a leader in the Israeli innovation ecosystem. He is uniquely suited to lead Start-Up Nation Central's work expanding the impact of Israeli innovation domestically, with new partners in the region, and around the world. In the wake of a global pandemic and major diplomatic breakthroughs, governments and corporate leaders are looking to Israel more than ever for solutions to their most urgent challenges. Start-Up Nation Central is prepared to meet this need under Avi's leadership and strategic vision."

Hasson will build on his vast experience at the nexus of private, public, and NGO investment in Israeli innovation to advance Start-Up Nation Central's mission of amplifying Israel's position as a leader in global innovation.

Avi Hasson, incoming CEO, Start-Up Nation Central: "There could be no better time to join Start-Up Nation Central than now – with the Israeli tech ecosystem bursting with unprecedented potential. Start-Up Nation Central does essential work advancing innovation locally and exporting innovation globally, and it is a great privilege to be taking on this new role. I look forward to working with the team at Start-Up Nation Central to leverage the organization's formidable relationships, track record, and platform to grow the impact and reach of Israeli innovation."

www.startupnationcentral.org