Full Breakdown
Israel’s Venture Capital Conference Highlights Talent Retention, Regulatory Reform, and International Risks
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Israel Advanced Technology Industries Association (IATI) hosted its annual conference of managing partners from Israel’s leading venture-capital funds as part of EY’s JOURNEY 2026 high-tech summit. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett led a discussion with NFX founding partner Gigi Levy-Weiss, while Yisrael Beitenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman co-moderated a session with Key1 Capital co-founder Sarel Eldor. About 200 managing partners attended, including representatives from Aleph, Norwest, Blackstone Israel, Team8, Pitango and Viola Ventures.
Background & Context
High-tech is Israel’s primary growth engine, supplying future productivity and economic resilience. The conference took place amid heightened security concerns, exchange-rate volatility and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence on the sector, and in the run-up to the 2026 national elections.
Data & Statistics
- Attendance: managing partners from roughly 200 venture-capital funds.
- Key speakers: Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, IATI CEO Karin Mayer Rubinstein, and EY Israel Co-CEO Noam Canetti.
Official Statements & Responses
- Bennett outlined a program to repatriate Israeli talent, attract Jewish professionals worldwide, and improve educational pathways in the periphery through advanced mathematics, English, physics and AI training. He endorsed Rubinstein’s regulatory plan, calling for a senior-official contact centre to resolve business pain points and tax policies that prioritize returns for savers.
- Avigdor Liberman warned that within two years the United States could recognize a Palestinian state and impose sanctions that the high-tech sector could not withstand. He called for a unified emergency task force with the Jewish diaspora to protect Israel’s global image and for frameworks that indemnify investors in Israeli startups.
- Karin Mayer Rubinstein noted that the conference’s timing near the elections makes the high-tech agenda especially significant for the industry’s future.
- Noam Canetti described the conference theme “Into the Wild” as reflecting the sector’s complex reality, citing security, policy, exchange-rate and AI challenges.
Why It Matters
The proposals aim to preserve Israel’s high-tech competitiveness by securing human capital, reducing regulatory uncertainty and shielding the sector from potential international sanctions. Their success could influence Israel’s ability to retain venture capital, maintain a favorable investment climate and sustain its position as a global technology hub.