Aboitiz Group learns from Israel’s innovation success

MANILA, Philippines — The Aboitiz Group, led by its president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz, took a page from Israel’s innovation landscape.

In a recent three-day innovation and technology tour in Israel last month, the Aboitiz delegation explored and engaged with various tech companies.

Israel has established itself as an epicenter of booming start-ups and breakthrough technologies which the Aboitiz Group could learn from for its Great Transformation journey to become the Philippines’ first techglomerate.

Aboitiz said exploring Israel’s innovation ecosystem has been an eye-opener.

“Their achievements in technology taught us that success is not just about having resources, but also about having the determination and creativity to make things happen. Their startup spirit and willingness to take risks have inspired us to think bigger and bolder, and we are eager to apply our learnings to drive innovation and progress in the Philippines,” Aboitiz said.

The delegation visited Israel’s Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, where they met with its chairman and Pitango Venture Capital co-founder Chemi Peres.

Founded in 1996 by Chemi’s father, Israel Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres, the Peres Center is on a mission to “promote lasting peace and advancement in the Middle East by fostering tolerance, economic and technological development, cooperation and well-being.”

“In Israel, a land lacking in natural resources, we discovered the greatest resource of all: human capital, which is richer than any of the resources on earth,” said Chemi Peres.

Following the mission, the Aboitiz Group hopes to bring back to the Philippines new ideas and insights that can contribute to the group’s mission of advancing businesses and communities, ultimately propelling the country’s economic growth and progress.