In HERZLIYA, Israel, the local tech industry has garnered international support amidst the tumultuous backdrop of conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. George Djuric, a venture capitalist from Portland, Oregon and the Chief Technology Officer at yVentures, felt a personal call to action, leading him to Israel to express solidarity and bolster the nation’s second-largest tech ecosystem globally, following Silicon Valley.
Djuric, who immigrated to the U.S. as a young refugee from Bosnia during the conflict there in the 1990s, was part of a contingent of approximately 70 U.S. technology leaders and financiers visiting Israel. Despite not being Jewish, Djuric’s personal experiences with war have shaped his perspective and fueled his commitment to supporting Israel’s tech sector.
The recent hostilities have sparked concerns among investors and analysts that the ongoing conflict could disrupt the high-tech industry’s nascent recovery. This sector is a major pillar of Israel’s economy, contributing to more than half of the country’s exports and accounting for around 20% of its GDP. However, the war and a global economic slowdown had already caused a significant reduction in funding before the conflict further impacted the economy. Growth projections have been adjusted from an anticipated 3.4% to a more modest 2%.
The mobilization of at least 15% of the tech workforce for military reserve duty has posed additional challenges. Despite the escalation of fighting in the Gaza Strip and the rocket attacks on Tel Aviv, efforts to broker a new truce have been underway.
Nevertheless, the tech industry has shown resilience, with startups still managing to secure funding, albeit at a reduced pace. In 2023, startups have raised over $6 billion, a notable decrease from the $16 billion raised in the previous year. Recent funding successes include ScaleOps, specializing in cloud resource management, securing a $21.5 million investment, and cybersecurity firm Zero Networks raising $20 million to help prevent attackers from infiltrating corporate networks.
Investors remain optimistic about Israel’s long-term prospects, with sentiments like Djuric’s indicating a bullish outlook regardless of the timeline for economic recovery.
The visit by U.S. tech executives and investors was conceived after noting the absence of such a show of support from the tech and venture capital community, which is deeply intertwined with Israel. Initially planned for a small group, the trip attracted a broad range of participants, including CEOs and senior executives from prominent U.S. tech firms and venture funds, representing entities like Meetup.com, Apollo, TPG, Susquehanna Growth Equity, Mastercard, John Deere, and Harvard University’s endowment investment fund.
The delegation’s itinerary included meetings with local investors and startups, as well as interactions with Israeli leaders and families affected by the conflict. They also visited towns impacted by the October 7th attacks.
Investment firms like Bain have expressed their commitment to the Israeli market, with substantial investments in companies like Redis Labs and cybersecurity firm Armis. They are actively seeking to expand their portfolio with more Israeli cybersecurity startups. Similarly, Gotham Ventures’ Danny Schultz is targeting 10 to 20 growth-stage Israeli startups for investment, particularly in the fintech sector, over the next few years.
Highlighting a focused investment approach, Joy Marcus, co-founder of the new VC fund The 98, is dedicated to investing in women-led technology businesses that are driving industry disruption. Marcus emphasizes her dual mission of supporting Israel and investing in Israeli women entrepreneurs.
The tech community’s visit underscores the global interest and confidence in Israel’s high-tech industry, even as it navigates through periods of conflict and economic uncertainty.,
Despite the ongoing conflict in the region, U.S. investors continue to express strong interest in Israeli technology firms, recognizing the innovation and resilience that characterize Israel’s tech ecosystem. Israeli startups are known for their cutting-edge solutions across various sectors such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, health tech, and autonomous driving technology.
One of the driving factors for this continued investment is the high level of technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit found within Israel, often referred to as the “Startup Nation.” The country boasts a large number of startups per capita, a dynamic R&D landscape, and a highly skilled workforce.
U.S. investors are drawn to the potential for high returns, as many Israeli tech firms have successfully scaled globally and achieved significant exits through acquisitions by major international companies or through public offerings. The close ties between the U.S. and Israel, including strong strategic partnerships and bilateral trade agreements, further facilitate investment opportunities.
Moreover, the Israeli government actively supports the tech industry through various incentives and programs that encourage innovation and investment. This supportive environment, combined with the resilience of Israeli firms in navigating geopolitical challenges, makes the country an attractive destination for U.S. investment capital.
Even amidst geopolitical tensions, U.S. investors appear to prioritize the long-term growth prospects and technological advancements of Israeli tech firms over the risks associated with regional instability. This trend underscores the confidence in Israel’s tech sector and its capacity to deliver valuable, innovative solutions on a global scale.
