A month in the past, the Israel Innovation Authority printed a report on the state of the tech ecosystem (additionally shared right here on VC Cafe) highlighting simply how essential tech is for the Israeli economic system. Whereas the Israeli tech ecosystem solely employs roughly 400,000 folks, it’s answerable for over 40% of the GDP development within the final 5 years, and represents 53% of the nation’s exports. The struggle in opposition to Hamas (and assaults from Iran’s proxies within the north and the south of the nation) put this engine of the economic system in danger. However now, a brand new report by Startup Nation Central on the state of the Israeli tech within the first half of 2024 reveals that Israel’s tech ecosystem demonstrated outstanding resilience within the first half of 2024, with vital development in funding and M&A exercise.
Highlights from the H1 2024 report
In response to the report there are 7,158 energetic startups and 217 energetic buyers in Israel’s revolutionary tech scene.
Personal Funding recovered – Personal funding surged by 31% in comparison with H2 2023, reaching $5.1 billion throughout 322 rounds. This development outpaced different main tech hubs, together with the US, Europe, and Asia. The rise was primarily pushed by mega-rounds (over $100 million), which accounted for 56% of whole funding. It’s value mentioning that many firms select the timing of asserting their rounds and the precise numbers is likely to be considerably larger (estimated at $6.7 billion, a 42% improve in comparison with the equal interval final 12 months)
Cybersecurity Dominance – Cybersecurity emerged because the standout sector, representing a staggering 52% of personal funding in H1 2024. This dominance was exemplified by Wiz’s record-breaking $1 billion spherical. The sector’s share of funding in Israel has grown from 20% in 2018 to over 50% in H1 2024, far outpacing the worldwide development. Out of the final 14 cybersecurity startup acquisitions, 12 have been Israeli firms.
M&A Exercise Surge – Regardless of fewer offers, M&A exits reached $4.1 billion, marking a 70% improve from H2 2023. Complete M&A exercise, together with non-exit offers, hit $7.1 billion. This surge signifies robust curiosity in Israeli tech firms and ongoing trade consolidation.
International Investor Participation at All-Time Excessive – Worldwide buyers performed an important function, taking part in rounds that accounted for 93% of all funding – a seven-year peak. This underscores the continued international enchantment of Israeli innovation. This can be a key level, as the vast majority of enterprise funding for Israeli startups comes from abroad funds, and it’s additional bolstered by the truth that Accel, Sequoia, Greylock and Index not too long ago raised giant funds and publicly introduced they’ll improve protection of Israel. For example, Index Ventures, which not too long ago raised $2.3 billion in new funds, invested $60M in 5 Israeli startups for the reason that starting of the struggle.
Sector-Particular Developments – Whereas Cybersecurity reached new heights, different sectors confirmed combined outcomes:
- Agrifood and Local weather Tech grew past 2020 ranges
- Fintech stabilized at 2018 ranges
- Well being Tech continued its decline from 2021 highs
- Enterprise Software program hit a seven-year low in funding however accounted for 25% of M&A exits
Trying Forward
The second half of 2024 guarantees continued development, with expectations of sustained funding in cutting-edge applied sciences, elevated collaboration with international tech hubs, and additional growth of revolutionary options addressing international challenges.
Notably, the WSJ and a number of other different shops reported rumours that Google is superior talks to accumulate Wiz, a quick rising cloud safety startup at a whooping $23 billion, representing Israel’s largest exit thus far and Google’s largest acquisition ever.
For detailed insights, go to the full report right here.
I am a former normal companion at google ventures, head of Google for Entrepreneurs in Europe and founding head of Campus London, Google’s first bodily hub for startups.
I am additionally the founding father of Techbikers, a non-profit bringing collectively the startup ecosystem on biking challenges in help of Room to Learn. Since inception in 2012 we have constructed 11 faculties and 50 libraries within the creating world.
