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July 02, 2007

Comments

Oded Roth

Shai,

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems most venture capitalists are impatient and search for safe investments with a short return period. Venture capital inflates quick bubbles that had inspired in the past the quick development of new factories in the industrial revolution age, the rush of railroads deployment in America’s “golden spike” era, or the start-ups of the Internet period.

Venture capital is flourished on a ground of some infrastructure change. Unfortunately the infrastructure change is more politically and long vision oriented, not appetizing the VC taste. The infrastructure change is a complicated combination between conservatism of government officials and vested interests, imagination of innovators and guts of rare venture capitalists.

Rick Bullotta

Shai:

The German government recently made a few quiet but substantial changes to taxation implications for venture investment, that in theory should make it more attractive for HPV and others to pump capital into that market. Perhaps other governments will need to follow suit in cases where prohibitive taxation structures push money elsewhere?

Rick

Rick Bullotta

Here's the link on the story regarding the proposed changes in the German VC tax breaks:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/28/business/equity.php

scjb

I applaud your view of regions and their evolved properties. But using the word "evolved" betrays a belief that regions only respond to outside pressures. But this misses the possibilities offered by strong political leadership.

As a European (with qualms about current political leadership here) and a former resident of Singapore (having experienced real political leadership there) i am happy to provide you my view of your question: "central vision" or "shaking the tree"?

Singapore is so successful because it's founder Lee Kuan Yew was a good leader. He believed in capitalism and thus ran the country more like a CEO and less like a politician. He was focused on goals and pursued them relentlessly. And he had the necessary leadership skills to drive his vision. This enabled Singapore to leapfrog from third world country to first in no time.

Therefore i argue that just as great companies need strong management, so do countries. The problem hence becomes: How to find a good leader. Because a good leader will know when to shake and when to intervene.

Alex Segal

Shai,
I live in Israel for most of my life (made "alia" in 87, age 7). When I was a teenager I was interested and involved in "making the world a better place". At some point I got dissillusioned and decided that trying to make a difference will take a personal price I am not willing to pay (I mean all the negative energy that comes with politics). Since than, I have matured, and realised that the world is not black and white :) and that i still care...
I heard an interview with you, where you were talking about making Israel a roll model for other countries, taking the positive approach and attitude and stop being everyone's problem and start being everyone's solution. I have to say that when I heard it, I felt that this is the kind of environment (and spirit) in which I would like to contribute. I am a management consultant and I try to preach to the same active and positive apprach to my clients on a daily basis (in their fields).
I was wondering how can i get in touch with your enterprise and get mre involved in this operation, because I feel I really want to help!
Best regards,
Alex

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