Eugene Kandel leaves role as Start-Up Nation Central CEO to launch organization's new research and policy institute

Professor Eugene Kandel is retiring from his role as Start-Up Nation Central’s (SNC) CEO to serve as Co-Chairman of the organization's new economic research and policy institute focused on Israeli technological innovation. SNC will soon begin the search for Kandel’s successor, led by Board Chair Terry Kassel.

Kandel, who has served as SNC CEO over the past six years, will remain on as a Senior Advisor. Philanthropist Paul Singer will serve as Co-Chairman of the Institute. Kandel, a Professor of Economics and Finance at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, had previously served for six years as chairman of the National Economic Council in the Israeli Prime Minister's office.

Uri Gabai, Co-General Manager of SNC, will serve as founding CEO of the new institute. Prior to joining SNC, Gabai served as VP of Strategy at the Israel Innovation Authority.

“As Israel’s innovation sector continues to mature and encounter new challenges, the Institute will be a critical resource serving as a center of excellence for research and policy," said Gabai. "We will help decision-makers address the challenges of sustaining a thriving innovation sector by providing them with new data, research, and policy ideas for the benefit of the Israeli economy and all parts of Israeli society.”

The institute’s work will focus on sustaining and advancing Israel’s high tech innovation ecosystem to ensure Israel’s long-term economic prosperity. The institute will tackle challenges related to growth of the innovation economy and expand access to the benefits of Israel’s hi-tech ecosystem through empirical research and actionable policy recommendations. The team will collaborate with stakeholders in Israel and across the globe to identify and analyze trends, challenges, gaps, and opportunities facing the hi-tech sector. Particular focus will be devoted to research and co-innovation generated by recent Israeli diplomatic breakthroughs.

“In an increasingly competitive post-Covid era, the success of innovation ecosystems depends on strategic, long-term policy," said Kandel. "This new institute will engage in and support rigorous research and develop concrete policy recommendations, to foster the continued growth of Israel’s tech innovation sector and securing an economically resilient Israel. I am excited to establish this new initiative with my longtime colleague Uri Gabai. We look forward to collaborating with the innovation sector, academia, government officials, and other global partners.”