Israel Innovation Authority
The Israel Innovation Authority is the central governmental body responsible for fostering and advancing Israel's innovation ecosystem. Its mission is to power innovation through investment, insight, and impactful programs, supporting high-tech entrepreneurship, deep-tech ventures, and global collaborations. The Authority provides non-dilutive funding, strategic support, and regulatory guidance to startups and established companies, ensuring Israel remains a global leader in technology and innovation. With a focus on sectors such as AI, bioconvergence, foodtech, climate tech, and more, the Authority bridges academia, industry, and international partners to address humanity's pressing challenges and drive economic growth. Israel's tech ecosystem, often called the "Startup Nation," is characterized by a culture of bold experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and resilience, making it a global powerhouse for innovation. The Authority also plays a pivotal role in shaping national innovation policy, supporting R&D, and facilitating co-investment opportunities for international investors. The Authority's unique features include proactive future-readiness, risk-absorbing investment models, global market integration, and resilience in times of crisis, such as the deployment of Fast-Track bridging funds to protect startups. The Authority also operates innovation centers and manufacturing accelerators to expand high-tech opportunities geographically and demographically, and regularly identifies and supports emerging technologies with high potential impact. The Authority supports a vast portfolio of startups and scale-ups across diverse sectors, including medical engineering, software, electronics, foodtech, biotech, and more, through programs such as Tnufa, Technological Incubators, R&D grants, and international collaborations.
Israel Innovation Authority
What We Do
A national initiative to build a drone delivery network for medical and consumer goods, laying the foundation for urban air mobility and eVTOL operations. The project includes large-scale demonstrations of Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) with multiple drones operating simultaneously in urban airspace.
Advanced genomics for livestock breeding, health, and welfare, supporting leading animal breeding organizations in Europe.
Improving medical implants to enhance patient health through advanced surface technologies.
Technologies blurring the boundaries between the real and virtual world, enabling brain control of virtual environments.
Establishing a systems medicine approach for efficient and personalized medical treatment.
Research to protect oysters in Europe from viral attacks, supporting sustainable aquaculture.
Bringing inquiry-based science teaching to classrooms to encourage youth engagement in science.
Tapping into new sources of water from flue gas, supporting emergency and disaster response.
Developing new methods for analyzing security information to enhance aviation safety.
Using nanotechnology to prevent heart attacks and strokes through early diagnosis and targeted drug delivery.
Helping premature babies breathe normally with innovative medical solutions.
Developing natural plastics through innovative bioprocesses.
Digitizing historical documents and texts for online access and preservation.
Software-based decision-support tools for accessible building design in tourism.
Breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer and AIDS through advanced research.
Monitoring tools for production lines to eliminate manufacturing faults.
Helping students understand the importance of science and technology for future careers.
Plug-and-produce concepts to revolutionize factory automation.
Promoting eco-innovation to decouple environmental impact from economic growth.
Operation Innovation to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the Mediterranean region.
Establishing a new research facility for the Middle East, advancing regional scientific collaboration.
Technologies to help curb illegal border-crossings in Europe.
Research linking climate change and human security.
Development of thin-film smart glass for energy-efficient buildings.
Breeding schemes for bluefin tuna to ensure sustainable fisheries.
Partnerships for marine ecosystem research in the Mediterranean.
Genomic research for treating blood-based diseases.
International research network focused on bio-nanotechnology.
Future road travel solutions with autonomous, sustainable vehicles.
Innovative and sustainable water treatment systems for India.
Targeted cancer treatment using advanced nanotechnologies.
Global collaboration to tackle E.coli outbreaks.
European marine data infrastructure for research and policy.
Innovative medical textiles that eliminate bacteria.
Bringing Mediterranean minds together for collaborative innovation.
Understanding marine ecosystems for societal benefit.
New treatments for stroke, Alzheimer's, and brain injury.
Real-time oceanography data services for society.
Sustainable urban water management solutions.
Research group tackling cancer markers for early detection.
A simple breath test for early cancer detection.
Provides non-dilutive investments to Israeli startups at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Round A stages, supporting deep-tech and R&D-intensive ventures. The fund requires matching private investment and offers grants covering 60% (Pre-Seed), 50% (Seed), and 30% (Round A) of the investment round, with additional incentives for underrepresented groups and companies in Israel's periphery.
Supports the establishment and operation of deep-tech incubators focused on sectors such as health, bio-convergence, food-tech, agri-tech, and climate-tech. Incubators receive grants for operational expenses and central laboratories, and provide startups with financial backing and a supportive framework from ideation to early growth stages.
Provides up to NIS 40 million over five years to selected venture incubators for early-stage capital investments and company creation. The program targets Israeli and foreign entities, including VCs and multinational companies, to boost entrepreneurship and support startups in high-risk technological domains with few expert investors in Israel.
Facilitates international R&D collaborations, connecting Israeli companies with global partners through bilateral and multinational agreements, bi-national funds, and participation in international exhibitions and conferences.
Offers guidance and frameworks for conditional royalties, IP licensing, and knowledge transfer, ensuring startups and investors understand commitments related to IIA-funded projects and global commercialization.
Enables international investors to co-invest with the Authority in Israeli startups, providing access to a world-leading innovation ecosystem, de-risked investment frameworks, and tailored investment models for VCs, corporates, and private equity. The Authority offers government co-funding, rigorous due diligence, and a trusted seal of approval.
Assists entrepreneurs in the preliminary stages of a project by providing access to unique technological infrastructures and expertise through innovation labs operated by leading corporations. The program offers grants, comprehensive assistance, and collaboration opportunities to help transform technological ideas into commercial products.
Innovation centers serve as key hubs for tech advancements and as platforms for incubating startups, accelerating ventures, promoting quality employment in high-tech, and developing regional technological ecosystems. They provide grants, access to advanced laboratories, mentorship, and connect startups with academia, industry leaders, and investors.
Supports the creation of R&D accelerators in the manufacturing industry (MOFET) to foster innovation and boost companies’ growth. The program provides up to NIS 5 million in funding, strategic, technological, and financial guidance, and exclusive rights to support early-stage ideation of manufacturing industrial ventures.
Application Area
Show More (3)Key People
CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority
Vice President and Head of the Startup Division
Chairman
Head of National Programs
Executive Director, International Collaboration Division
Senior Director
News & Updates
The Technological Incubator program has created over 2,500 innovative technology startups, accumulated hundreds of exits, and attracted multinational companies to Israel, providing thousands of jobs and establishing deep-tech companies with significant government participation in early stages.
Despite a challenging year, the Authority supported 50 companies and entrepreneurs in FoodTech, with significant backing for alternative protein, plant-based, fermentation-based, and cultivated meat initiatives.
A comprehensive analysis of the current state of artificial intelligence in Israel, the progress of the National AI Program, and the launch of key strategic initiatives.
An in-depth report on the state of FoodTech investments in Israel and globally, regulatory developments, and food security challenges. Highlights the sharp decline in investments, the Authority’s continued support, and regulatory advancements for alternative proteins and precision fermentation.
Explores innovations in food packaging technologies and their impact on sustainability and the food industry.
Discusses the impact of rapid technological advancement on the labor market and workforce adaptation.