Israeli Tech Shows Its Mettle Amid Challenges
Prior to Hamas’ ISIS-style attack on Israel, “Lessons from a Startup Life” featured three posts about the country’s tech sector and the desert (here, here and here). This was an in situ-type of blogging because my wife and I spent two weeks there on business and vacation. We left just days before Hamas launched a savage attack that killed 1,300, wounded thousands, and resulted in hundreds of Israelis and 20 Americans being kidnapped.
As Israel mobilizes over 300,000 reserve military personnel, its tech sector is providing critical manpower, technical and cyber expertise, humanitarian assistance, and business continuity. The military draft is drawing in startup founders, CEOs, venture capitalists, and workers from across the tech sector. Estimates suggest 30% or more of the sector's employees will return to their units in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in the coming weeks to provide technical and advanced support. From many reports, WhatsApp messages, and other sources of information, despite the turmoil, most Israeli startups and established tech companies continue operating.
Other members of the tech community globally are undertaking volunteer initiatives to assist with funding, purchasing, and distributing critical military supplies or financing civilian support efforts. These range from evacuating families from conflict zones to delivering essential supplies to impacted areas.
Some organizations directly connected to the tech/VC sector or affiliated include:
Brothers and Sisters for Israel provides tactical gear – such as ceramic vests, helmets, night vision goggles, etc. – directly to the military for troops in need of supplies in coordination with the IDF. Several VC are associated with this organization.
Jgive site to support special unit forces with supplies.
Marom-Dolphin provides textile gear for military, security forces, and industry.
Bessemer Venture Partners, for example, have personnel on the front lines providing food, fuel, and other basics for humanitarian purposes.
Other VCs and tech companies are also supplying military and civilian funding, provisions, material and other forms of support.
This is a short list, but I strongly urge you to consider making a donation.
In my opinion, this is a time to support our friends, family, and colleagues in Israel and pray that this war does not spiral out of control. We hope that after Hamas has been eradicated, life in Israel can return to normal.