Israel’s Tech Community Continues to Thrive Amid Conflict
Despite the ongoing conflict in the region, Israel’s tech community is finding ways to push forward and maintain their momentum. According to the Israel Innovation Authority, the tech sector accounts for nearly one-fifth of the country’s annual gross domestic product (GDP), making it the sector with the largest economic output in the country.
Many members of Israel’s tech community have been called up for reserve duty due to the war with Hamas. Yaniv Sadka, an investment associate at aMoon, a health tech and life sciences-focused venture capital firm, highlighted the significant number of tech workers serving in Israel’s intelligence units as part of their reserve duty.
Dvir Ben-Aroya, co-founder of Spike, a workplace collaboration platform, had to make quick adjustments to his company’s operations. With missiles flying over Tel Aviv, he held an all-hands meeting and decided to have everyone work from home. Some employees even chose to move away from Israel temporarily with their families, and the company supported their decision.
Amitai Ratzon, CEO of cybersecurity firm Pentera, shared that Israel-based workers found work to be a good distraction during these trying times. However, the company is allowing employees to take time off if needed. Pentera has also had to make changes to international commitments, such as canceling training sessions and rearranging conference attendance.
Despite the challenges, the solidarity and resilience within Israel’s tech community are evident. Isaac Heller, CEO of accounting automation startup Trullion, raised over $50,000 to provide bulletproof vests for his employees serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. Gal Bar Dea, CEO of digital bank One Zero, witnessed constant support and coverage among employees in an employee WhatsApp group.
Members of the tech community are also working on tech tools specific to the conflict, such as a bulletin board-type website for missing persons, cyberattack defense tools, and platforms to find online psychologists. Bar Dea described this as the “secret sauce of Israel,” where people come together to create solutions and support one another.
The challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities are undeniable. Bar Dea, who is also a father, acknowledged the difficulties of being a CEO while ensuring the safety of his family. Sadka emphasized that personal matters and securing the country make it challenging to concentrate on work.
Nevertheless, the resilience, innovation, and dedication within Israel’s tech community continue to shine through. The community’s commitment to supporting one another and developing solutions during these troubling times is a testament to the strength of Israel’s startup nation spirit.