Israel Innovation Authority
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersJerusalem, Israel
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
Israel Innovation Authority firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Israel Innovation Authority industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Israel Innovation Authority is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jerusalem
- HQ country
- Israel
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices2 records
Markets served
Israel Innovation Authority business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Others, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Pre-Seed Grant - 60% of round up to 2.5M shekels |
| Subscription | Annual | Seed Grant - 50% of round up to 10M shekels |
| Subscription | Annual | Round A Grant - 30% of round up to 50M shekels |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Tnufa Challenge - NIS 1M grand prize plus 4x NIS 200K awards |
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Israel Innovation Authority product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Israel Innovation Authority
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Israel Innovation Authority technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Israel Innovation Authority partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- BIRD EnergycoreBIRD 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.
- IndiamajorElevated bilateral partnership to 'Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity' covering technology, defense, cybersecurity, trade, water management, and space exploration.
- Madhya Pradesh, IndiaminorState-level engagement for technology collaboration including digital infrastructure, innovation, and tourism promotion.
- Ministry of Economy and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, Tkuma AdministrationcoreNIS 44 million investment in six national databases for AI-driven health and agriculture innovation as part of National AI R&D Infrastructure Program.
- BIRD FoundationcoreUS-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)coreIsraeli managing body for European R&D framework programs, facilitating Israeli participation in Horizon Europe and related EU research initiatives.
- KORIL-RDF (Korea-Israel)minorKorea-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation providing support for joint projects in AI manufacturing and other technology areas.
- I4F (India-Israel Fund)minorIndia-Israel fund for joint technology development and market access between Israeli and Indian companies.
- SIIRD (Singapore-Israel)minorSingapore-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation supporting joint R&D and pilot projects in various technology sectors.
- CIP (China-Israel Park)minorChangzhou China-Israel Innovation Park providing platform for Israeli companies entering Chinese market.
- Israeli Universities and Research InstitutionscoreDeep partnerships with Weizmann Institute, Technion, and all major Israeli universities for research commercialization and collaborative R&D programs.
- DDR&D/MAFAT (Defense R&D)corePartnership with Israeli Ministry of Defense for dual-use technology development including NIS 150 million photonic chip initiative and space programs.
- NebiuscoreAI cloud provider selected to establish and operate national AI supercomputer under Telemetry Program with resources equivalent to 1,000 Nvidia B200 accelerators.
- Ministry of FinancecoreJoint reform initiatives including R&D tax incentives, high-tech taxation reform, and Yozma Fund program.
- Ministry of EducationcoreNIS 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
Israel Innovation Authority competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
Israel Innovation Authority social profiles
Digital presenceIsrael Innovation Authority financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Israel Innovation Authority leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Israel Innovation Authority funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Israel Innovation Authority M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments223 records
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Frequently asked questions about Israel Innovation Authority
What does Israel Innovation Authority do?
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.
Is Israel Innovation Authority a public or private company?
Israel Innovation Authority is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Israel Innovation Authority founded?
Israel Innovation Authority was founded in 1965. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Israel Innovation Authority based?
Israel Innovation Authority is headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel, in the Middle East region.
Who are Israel Innovation Authority's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Science Foundation (NSF), DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), Horizon Europe (European Commission), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Singapore A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Japan NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization), KIAT (Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology), Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), Germany, Bpifrance and National Research Council of Canada (NRC).
Does Israel Innovation Authority have an API?
No public API is recorded for Israel Innovation Authority.
What industry is Israel Innovation Authority in?
Israel Innovation Authority's product category is Government R&D Funding and Innovation Support. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAI, Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPADAOAB, Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors). Its NAICS code is 813219 and its SIC code is 6111.