Microsoft Israel Research and Development Center. Photo: Microsoft.

In the six-plus decades of Israel’s existence, the nation has proven to be a global pacesetter in innovation and the development technology start-ups. According to recent story in the online magazine ISRAEL21c, Israel has the most start-ups per capita worldwide and the third-highest number of patents per head.

Just some of Israeli inventions include the Pillcam, a pill-sized camera that can pass through the digestive tract and detect diseases, and Copaxone, a revolutionary medicine treating Multiple Sclerosis.

Microsoft Windows NT and XP both were developed in Israel. Another memorable invention was the instant messaging service ICQ, sold later to AOL for more than $400 million.