The impact of high-tech startups' ecosystems on economic systems' development: the case of Israel.

Abstract

This thesis work aims to discern the impact of high-tech startups and their ecosystems on the economic system’s development: how the startup phenomenon is born and evolved during the years and the impact it has had in developing business networks and communities. In particular, we will analyze the role of accelerators and incubators together with the role of institutions such as universities and governments, in helping the emergence of young startups and in sustaining their growing period. Furthermore, we will see how startups ecosystems are able to boost economic growth and development of the country or region in which they are localized, accelerating competitiveness through the exchange of information, skills, hi-tech innovation and talents, bringing to a positive flow that is able to influence all the surrounding environment. Finally, the specific case of Israel will be examined: the reasons that have brought to the success of “The Startup Nation”, the characteristics of this country and in particular of the Tel Aviv area, the role played by the government and the differences with Italy and the rest of the world that contribute in making this country a unique case.