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Tech Start-Ups'
Welcome to
Philadelphia
In July 2015, then-Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter returned to Israel for his second
official visit in two years, with the goal of encouraging Israeli businesses entering the
U.S. market to establish operations in Philadelphia, the economic hub of Pennsylvania
The city has always been a pillar of the American Jewish community (since its founding
in the 17th century by William Penn) and remains so today, with a Jewish population
of around 250,000—one of the largest in the United States. Philadelphia is still a
great location for Israeli businesses seeking to enter the United States. Particularly
in technology and the life sciences industry, the city offers unique advantages for
inbound companies from Israel that better-known destinations, like New York and Los
Angeles, are finding hard to match. They include a thriving Jewish community, one of the
most educated workforces in the world and a world-renowned tech and life sciences
ecosystem. In addition, Philadelphia offers quick and easy access to the rest of the East
Coast and the world and a cost of living significantly below that of other major cities.
Philadelphia and Tel Aviv are officially linked through the Sister Cities Program, which
encourages areasof cooperationbetween the twocities suchaseconomicdevelopment
and trade and technology. At the heart of the Sister Cities Program is an agreement
signed by the mayors of each city confirming their commitment, and that of their
successors, to the program. Like his predecessor, current Philadelphia Mayor James
“Jim” Kenney and his new city administration, sworn in in January, are no less interested
in bridging the gap between the City of Brotherly Love and our sister city in Israel.
Israelis entering the U.S. market have a number of advantages over entrants from
other countries. Because English is so widely spoken in Israel, it is not difficult for
an Israeli to communicate with local business owners when in the United States. In
addition, Israel has maintained a close relationship with the United States ever since
its creation. Accordingly, an Israeli business launching here typically has access to both
a U.S. network of Israelis experienced in doing business here and an equally helpful
network at home. However, just because it may be easier to launch a business in the
United States if you are Israeli does not mean it is easy. The countries are still very
different and nearly 6,000 miles apart.
Particularly in technology and the life sciences industry, the city offers
unique advantages for inbound companies from Israel that better-known
destinations, like New York and Los Angeles, are finding hard to match.