Proponent Testimony in Support of HB 188: Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership

Summary

Proponent testimony in support of Ohio House Bill (HB) 188, legislation that would create the Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership, delivered to the Ohio House Development Committee in Columbus, OH on May 7, 2025. The witness is a community leader speaking on behalf of JewishColumbus, who states the views expressed are their own. The testimony offers two stories: work with the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Southeast in Atlanta, Georgia, and collaboration with JobsOhio and One Columbus to host an Insurtech Israel delegation in Columbus. It closes by arguing that a formal innovation hub would bring Israeli startups, jobs and investment to Ohio and urges the committee to support House Bill 188.

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Proponent Testimony in Support of HB 188: Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership
Ohio House | Development Committee
Columbus, OH | May 7, 2025

Good morning Chairman Hoops, Vice Chair Lorenz, Ranking Member Abdullahi, &
members of the House Development Committee,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Ohio House Bill
(HB) 188, legislation that would create the Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership.

My name is Evan Remer, and! am a community leader speaking on behalf of
JewishColumbus. JewishColumbus is Central Ohio’s largest funder of Jewish programs,
serving and enriching the Jewish community from birth to senior living. Professionally, |
work for a large insurance carrier where | am a Product Manager focused on innovation and
digital enablement. | am responsible for evaluating new strategic partnership opportunities
with insurtechs and other external technology organizations. Views expressed here today
are my own.

| would like to share two brief stories that illustrate the potential impact of the proposed
Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership. The first is a real-world success story from
my time working to facilitate trade between Israel and the United States. The second story
highlights efforts already underway — even in the absence of a formal partnership — to build
relationships with Israeli start-ups and entrepreneurs here in Ohio.

Story #1: American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Southeast

Earlier in my career, | served as the Director of Special Projects for the American-/srael
Chamber of Commerce, Southeast (now Connexx: the America Israel Business Connector)
in Atlanta, Georgia. This private, non-governmental, and non-profit organization facilitated
research, trade, and economic development between Israel and the southeastern United
States, primarily Georgia and the surrounding states.

The Chamber sourced innovation and technology from Israel and matched these solutions
to the needs of U.S. companies and local municipalities across various industry sectors,
including medicine, security, software, and technology. We celebrated when major
employers in the Metro Atlanta region formed partnerships with Israeli companies,
supporting jobs and economic activity in Israel. Conversely, these Israeli companies,
seeking proximity to their largest customers and investors, chose to establish U.S. offices
in Atlanta rather than in larger, more well-known cities like New York or Los Angeles largely
due to the efforts of the Chamber and its members. When the Israeli companies opened
offices in Atlanta, they stimulated the economy — hiring employers, leasing real estate,
buying/renting homes, etc. Atlanta offered a low cost of living, an educated workforce, and
a strong, vibrant Jewish community—advantages that Ohio can similarly offer.
The American-Israel Chamber was recognized by the Atlanta Business Chamber of
Commerce for its outstanding contributions to economic development. Ohio has the
potential to achieve similar success with the establishment of the Ohio-Israel Trade and
Innovation Partnership.

Story #2: Insurtech Israel visits Ohio

Each of the last two years, | have collaborated with JobsOhio and One Columbus (formerly
Columbus2020) to host a delegation of Israeli insurance technology start-ups and scale-
ups here in Columbus. This year, the /nsurtech Israel delegation's visit expanded to also
include meetings in Cincinnati, providing Israeli startups with access to potential
customers and partners, including insurance carriers, brokers, and legislative and
regulatory representatives.

While it’s still early, | am encouraged by the relationships and trust that we are building with
Insurtech Israel and lam excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. | am pleased to
report that at least one company from this year's delegation has already expressed interest
in establishing a U.S. office in Columbus.

In closing, | wanted to share a few additional thoughts about the potential benefits of
partnering with Israel to create the Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership.

Israelis a global innovation powerhouse, recognized as the “Startup Nation” and routinely
ranked #1 or #2 in startups per capital in the world. With a culture rooted in resilience,
creativity, and fast-paced innovation, Israel has built thriving ecosystems in sectors like
aerospace, aggrotech, fintech & Insurtech, as well as medtech, cyber security, mobility and
more. These industry verticals map neatly to many of Ohio’s geographically and
economically diverse regions.

Israeli companies are known for embracing a "deploy fast, learn faster" R&D model—
pushing early-stage technologies into real-world use, then iterating rapidly. This agile
innovation culture encourages bold risk-taking and quick adaptation, producing
groundbreaking results in record time. Partnering with Israel gives Ohio access to tested,
evolving technologies across multiple sectors.

The Abraham Accords have opened new doors for Israeli companies to do business with
the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and beyond. By partnering with Israel now, Ohio gains a
strategic entry point not only into Israel’s market, but also into the rapidly growing
economies of the broader Middle East and North Africa. An Ohio-based innovation hub can
become a center for trilateral cooperation—where Israeli tech, Middle Eastern capital, and
Ohio talent come together to build and scale solutions with global impact.

By establishing a formal Innovation Hub, we incentivize Israeli startups to open front
offices, R&D labs, and manufacturing facilities in Ohio. This would translate directly into:
e High-skill, high-wage jobs for Ohioans
e Revitalization of rust belt regions through new tech-driven industries

e Greater investment and global connectivity for Ohio’s economy
This isn't just a tech play—it's a strategic workforce development plan that empowers local
talent and attracts global capital.

This hub would be more than an economic boost—it would establish Ohio as the gateway
to the U.S. market for Israeli innovation. Likewise, Israeli companies would gain a
strategic partner with Ohio’s logistics infrastructure, world-class universities,
manufacturing strength, and affordability. It’s a win-win partnership that positions both
regions as leaders in the next generation of global innovation.

In conclusion, | urge you to support House Bill 188. This partnership will foster economic
growth, technological innovation, and cultural exchange, benefiting both Ohio and Israel.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Evan Remer

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