New York City currently has 30 Israeli-founded companies worth $1 billion. Mayor Eric Adams told a visiting group of Israeli entrepreneurs at Gracie Mansion that he would like to up that number to 300. “New York City is the Tel Aviv of America,” he said. Full Story
By COLlive reporter
New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently hosted a group of Israeli entrepreneurs at Gracie Mansion, expressing his aspiration to elevate the number of Israeli-founded billion-dollar businesses in the city from 30 to an ambitious 300.
During a Chanukah celebration and an economic cooperation meeting, Adams highlighted his commitment to nurturing a conducive environment for startups.
“New York City is the Tel Aviv of America,” Adams joked, underscoring the city’s parallels with the Israeli innovation hub. “It’s our goal for you to no longer think about San Francisco; that’s too far away. We want you to see New York City as the hub for technology, particularly from your country.”
He emphasized his dedication to strengthening the ties between Israel and New York City, a sentiment echoed by his senior advisor, Joel Eisdorfer, who recalled Adams’ trip to Israel, witnessing firsthand the mayor’s dedication to forging robust relationships and fostering innovative ideas.
“We were talking about the exchange of ideas and how we could use technology to move our cities and our countries in the right direction,” Adams remarked. Reflecting on the October 7th terror attack and the city’s substantial Jewish population, he affirmed, “We’ll never be at ease until every hostage is returned home.”
Adams stressed the need for safety and inclusivity, stating, “No matter what you do, the prerequisite to our prosperity is public safety.” He assured the attendees, “This will never be a city where hate will ever live, and we will seek out anyone who believes they will inflict violence on the people of this city.”
Adams acknowledged the significant presence of Israeli-founded companies in the city, known as unicorn companies. “We want to change that 30 to 300,” he declared, inviting Israeli entrepreneurs to consider New York City as the premier destination for their tech ventures.
“In today’s meeting, we wanted the intimate setting of being here in Gracie Mansion so that we can really show our level of commitment. This is my home, and home is where the heart is,” Adams expressed, aiming to open doors for Israeli businesses in New York City.
Adams thanked Anat Katz, who serves as Economic Minister at the Israel Economic Mission to the USA – East Coast, and Guy Franklin, Founder and General Partner of ‘Israeli Mapped in NY’ Investments, for their input in organizing the meeting.
Adams concluded with a resolute message, urging Israeli entrepreneurs to view New York City as the ideal ground to launch and grow their businesses, underscoring his commitment to ensuring a safe and prosperous environment for all.
