Israel Innovation Authority

What Israel Innovation Authority does

The Israel Innovation Authority (רשות החדשנות) is the statutory independent body of the State of Israel, established in 2016 as the successor to the Office of the Chief Scientist, responsible for promoting innovation and R&D in Israeli industry with emphasis on the high-tech sector and manufacturing. It operates four mission-oriented divisions: the Startup Division (Pre-Seed grants up to 60% of round / NIS 2.5M, Seed grants up to 50% / NIS 10M, Round A grants up to 30% / NIS 50M), the Growth Division (R&D and scaling programs for established companies), the International Division (BIRD for US, ISERD for EU, KORIL for Korea, I4F for India, SIIRD for Singapore, CIP for China), and the Innovation Infrastructure Division (consortia, academic research, technology labs). The Authority is governed by a board chaired by Dr. Alon Stopel with CEO Dror Bin, and reports to the Ministries of Finance and Economy.

Its underlying technology consists not of a single product but of a portfolio of national infrastructure assets and program platforms: the National AI Supercomputer under the Telem Program (computing resources equivalent to 1,000 Nvidia B200 accelerators, operated by Nebius), national integrated photonic chip development infrastructure (NIS 150M with DDR&D/MAFAT), six national databases for AI-driven health and agriculture (NIS 44M), the Access to Space R&D laboratory (NIS 60M), the National Bioconvergence Program (NIS 548.5M across 188 mapped companies), the Climate Tech Initiative (NIS 0.5B in 2025), five national beta sites, and the Yozma Fund (~$450M deployed into Israeli VC funds). These are delivered through a website-based application and case-management portal rather than a commercial API.

The Authority's business model is non-commercial: it is funded by annual Israeli government budgets rather than revenue from sales or fees. It distributes capital via direct grants (60%/50%/30% of funding rounds by stage), bilateral co-development grants (BIRD up to $1.5M per project, 50% of R&D costs), VC fund-of-funds deployment (Yozma), infrastructure co-investment with defense and other ministries, and challenge prizes (e.g., Tnufa NIS 1M grand prize for critical minerals innovation). Its customer base spans startups, growth-stage companies, academic institutions, multinational corporates, and manufacturers, supported through nine regional innovation centers from Dan to Eilat.

Name

Israel Innovation Authority

Legal name

Israel Innovation Authority

Website

https://innovationisrael.org.il/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Israel Innovation Authority is the State of Israel's statutory independent body managing government R&D funding and innovation policy, distributing grants from Pre-Seed through Round A across startups, growth companies, academia, and multinational partners, and operating national infrastructure programs in AI, bioconvergence, photonics, space, and climate tech.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government R&D Funding and Innovation Support

NAICS

Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Government R&D funding
• Innovation grant programs
• Technology incubation
• Startup funding tracks
• National innovation infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Jerusalem

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Israel Innovation Authority is Israel's central statutory independent authority that manages the country's governmental support of innovation. It provides non-dilutive R&D grants and funding programs spanning the full company lifecycle — from Pre-Seed grants (60% of round up to NIS 2.5M), Seed grants (50% up to NIS 10M), and Round A grants (30% up to NIS 50M) for startups, through growth-stage company grants, to bilateral international R&D collaboration programs and national research infrastructure. Funding is delivered via an online application portal with case management, and the Authority also operates specialized programs such as the Yozma Fund (~$450M VC fund-of-funds), national AI infrastructure (Telem Program), and bilateral R&D foundations with the US, EU, Korea, India, Singapore, and China.

Product overview

The Israel Innovation Authority (רשות החדשנות) is a statutory independent authority responsible for promoting Israeli innovation and strengthening the country's competitiveness as a global innovation hub. Rather than a product company, the Authority operates a portfolio of R&D funding programs organized across four main divisions: Startup Fund (Pre-Seed, Seed, Round A funding tracks), Growth Zone (grants for established companies), International Programs (cross-border collaboration and European R&D programs), and Innovation Infrastructure (consortia, academic research, and technology labs). The Authority also manages two national programs focused on AI and Bioconvergence. Funding scales from 60% grants for Pre-Seed rounds up to 2.5M shekels, to 30% grants for Round A up to 50M shekels. The Authority provides these programs through its website portal offering online application submission and case management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yozma Fund: Government-backed venture capital fund program for Israeli high-tech companies
• Telem Program
• National Bioconvergence Program
• Climate Tech Fellows Program
• BIRD Foundation

Products and services

• Startup Fund (קרן ההזנק) Early-stage R&D funding program offering Pre-Seed grants (60% of round up to NIS 2.5M), Seed grants (50% up to NIS 10M), and Round A grants (30% up to NIS 50M) for Israeli startups developing R&D-intensive technology products; applicants must meet prior capital raised and revenue thresholds per stage.
• Growth Zone (זירת צמיחה) Funding programs for growing Israeli companies including R&D grants, pilot programs, and financial tools for advanced manufacturing and growth-stage enterprises, covering stages from feasibility proof through pilot implementation.
• International Programs (חטיבה בין-לאומית) International collaboration programs including matching grants and support for technology market entry worldwide, plus European R&D grant programs; includes ISERD for European partnerships, BIRD Foundation for US-Israel projects, and bilateral funds with Korea, India, Singapore, and China.
• Innovation Infrastructure (תשתיות חדשנות) Infrastructure support for R&D including applied research consortia, academic research funding, technology labs, and knowledge transfer programs that support development of research infrastructure and collaboration between industry and academia.
• National AI Program (Telem Program) Cross-ministerial national program to secure Israel's long-term leadership in AI through coordinated government investment, including operation of a national AI supercomputer providing subsidized compute access to Israeli companies and academic researchers.
• National Bioconvergence Program National initiative merging biology and engineering strengths to generate cutting-edge solutions for complex challenges, with NIS 548.5 million investment and 188 active bioconvergence companies mapped and supported.
• National Integrated Photonic Chip Infrastructure National infrastructure initiative for integrated photonic chip development with NIS 150 million investment, covering the full development cycle from design to volume manufacturing, in partnership with DDR&D/MAFAT and open to industrial corporations and academic institutions.
• National Beta Sites Program Network of five national beta sites (Teva, Sheba IMPACT, Energy Infrastructure, Atidim Cityzone, Ganey Yehosha) with NIS 40 million total investment that enable startups to conduct real-world pilots across active operational infrastructure in industry, healthcare, energy, smart cities, and sustainability sectors.
• Access to Space R&D Laboratory National R&D laboratory with 60 million shekel (~$18.8 million) budget led by Creation Space, providing subsidized space access infrastructure for startups, companies, and research institutions with at least 35% discounts off market prices, enabling at least 15 payload launches over three years.
• Climate Tech Fellows Program 12 million shekel ($4.1 million) fellowship program operated by Kinneret Innovation Center to develop sustainable climate solutions through collaboration between academia, business, and policymakers.
• Yozma Fund Program Government-backed venture capital fund-of-funds program investing in Israeli venture capital funds, with approximately USD 450 million deployed leveraging over $2 billion in total VC fundraising in Israel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Israel ranks 5th globally for deep-tech fundraising outside the US
• +6 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• BIRD EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026BIRD Energy offers up to $1.5 million in conditional grants for joint US-Israel green energy projects, funded by US Department of Energy and Israel's Energy Ministry. Focus areas include grid optimization, AI-integrated energy solutions, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity.
• IndiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Elevated bilateral partnership to 'Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity' covering technology, defense, cybersecurity, trade, water management, and space exploration.
• Madhya Pradesh, IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2026State-level engagement for technology collaboration including digital infrastructure, innovation, and tourism promotion.
• Ministry of Economy and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, Tkuma AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025NIS 44 million investment in six national databases for AI-driven health and agriculture innovation as part of National AI R&D Infrastructure Program.
• BIRD FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-Israel Binational Industrial R&D Foundation providing conditional grants of up to $1.5 million covering up to 50% of R&D costs for joint US-Israel projects. Since 2009, BIRD has funded over 70 projects leveraging about $50 million in government investment and $65 million from private sector.
• ISERD (Israel-European R&D)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsraeli managing body for European R&D framework programs, facilitating Israeli participation in Horizon Europe and related EU research initiatives.
• KORIL-RDF (Korea-Israel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorea-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation providing support for joint projects in AI manufacturing and other technology areas.
• I4F (India-Israel Fund)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia-Israel fund for joint technology development and market access between Israeli and Indian companies.
• SIIRD (Singapore-Israel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation supporting joint R&D and pilot projects in various technology sectors.
• CIP (China-Israel Park)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChangzhou China-Israel Innovation Park providing platform for Israeli companies entering Chinese market.
• Israeli Universities and Research InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep partnerships with Weizmann Institute, Technion, and all major Israeli universities for research commercialization and collaborative R&D programs.
• DDR&D/MAFAT (Defense R&D)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Israeli Ministry of Defense for dual-use technology development including NIS 150 million photonic chip initiative and space programs.
• NebiuscoreTechnology or IntegrationAI cloud provider selected to establish and operate national AI supercomputer under Telemetry Program with resources equivalent to 1,000 Nvidia B200 accelerators.
• Ministry of FinancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint reform initiatives including R&D tax incentives, high-tech taxation reform, and Yozma Fund program.
• Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIS 26.25 million youth entrepreneurship initiative reaching 4,500 students annually through Acharei Association and Mona Association programs.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Science Foundation (NSF): The US National Science Foundation is a federal agency that funds fundamental research and education across all non-medical science and engineering fields. It is the closest direct functional peer to IIA as a government R&D funding body, though NSF is much larger in budget scope and focused on basic academic research rather than commercial-stage Israeli tech.
• DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency): DARPA is the US Department of Defense R&D agency that funds high-risk, high-reward technology programs with national strategic implications. It is a direct comparator to IIA's defense-linked programs (DDR&D/MAFAT partnership, photonic chip infrastructure, Access to Space) at the national-security-technology intersection.
• Horizon Europe (European Commission): Horizon Europe is the EU's primary R&D framework program funding collaborative research and innovation across member states and associated countries including Israel. IIA operates the Israeli managing body (ISERD) for Horizon Europe, making it both a partner and a structural peer in national R&D funding administration.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): UKRI is the UK's national funding agency for research and innovation, investing in science, research, and skills across the UK economy. It is a structural peer to IIA as a national R&D funding authority, with a comparable mission of converting public R&D investment into commercial and academic outcomes.
• Singapore A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research): A*STAR is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, supporting economic growth through science and technology. It is a direct functional peer to IIA, particularly in operating national research infrastructure and bridging academic research to commercial companies, and is also a bilateral partner through SIIRD.
• Japan NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization): NEDO is Japan's national R&D organization promoting industrial, energy, and environmental technology development, with programs that combine government grants, demonstration funding, and commercialization support. It is a direct structural peer to IIA, particularly in the climate tech and advanced technology infrastructure spaces.
• KIAT (Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology): KIAT is the South Korean government agency that promotes industrial technology development and supports Korean SMEs and venture companies through R&D funding, similar to IIA's role. It is also a bilateral partner of IIA through KORIL-RDF, making it both a peer and a partner in the Korea-Israel R&D ecosystem.
• Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), Germany: Germany's BMWK, formerly BMWi, funds industrial R&D and innovation programs (including the ZIM central innovation program) targeting German SMEs and deep-tech companies. It is a structural peer to IIA as a national government ministry driving industrial R&D funding policy.
• Bpifrance: Bpifrance is the French public investment bank providing financing, guarantees, and equity for SMEs and innovative startups, with programs covering pre-seed through growth. It is a direct functional peer to IIA in government-backed innovation funding for startups and growth-stage companies.
• National Research Council of Canada (NRC): NRC is Canada's primary national R&D organization, operating research facilities, funding industrial R&D, and bridging academic research to commercialization. It is a structural peer to IIA in operating national research infrastructure and funding industrial innovation, though Canada's program stack is smaller in scale than Israel's.

Market position

Strengths6 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/innovationaut

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments223 records

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Frequently asked questions about Israel Innovation Authority