Photo credit: Hanna Teib for Israel Innovation Authority
The Israel Innovation Authority has announced a significant investment of NIS 10 million to support the development of new training programmes aimed at cultivating entrepreneurial talent in semiconductors, quantum technologies, and bio-convergence. This initiative seeks to enhance Israel’s pipeline of deep tech startups by equipping multidisciplinary teams with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of venture creation.
On March 18, 2026, the Authority revealed the selection of six entities that will operate these entrepreneurship training programmes. The focus will be on guiding experienced entrepreneurs and teams through the critical early stages of startup development, including ideation, industry validation, team formation, and securing investor engagement.
The selected programmes will offer participants hands-on training, ensuring they are well-prepared to validate and mature their technological ideas. The aim is to empower these individuals to establish startups and raise initial capital in key technology sectors that are pivotal to the future of global innovation.
Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, stated, “Deep tech companies will lead Israel’s high-tech industry in the coming years. Accordingly, there is a need to expand the potential for the creation of additional startups, build strong technological teams, and position Israel’s technological hub at the forefront of the global stage. The six programmes will provide participants the tools required for the establishment of new initiatives and startups in semiconductors, quantum technologies, and bio-convergence in Israel in the coming years by training a new generation of CEOs who will lead breakthrough deep tech companies.”
The overarching goal of these programmes is to broaden the potential for establishing deep tech companies in Israel, foster multidisciplinary entrepreneurial teams, and ultimately lead to the creation of innovative technology firms in sectors at the forefront of global advancement.
Focus Areas of the Training Programmes
The programmes will concentrate on three key domains of deep technology:
- Bio-convergence: This multidisciplinary field integrates biology with disciplines such as engineering, computer science, materials science, and nanotechnology, aimed at developing innovative solutions to complex challenges in health, energy, food, and manufacturing.
- Semiconductors: A critical area in the global competition for computing power and artificial intelligence. Although Israel boasts a highly skilled workforce in this sector, the number of new startups and the capital raised by these companies remain relatively low.
- Quantum Computing: This field holds the potential to transform the computing landscape. As of 2025, approximately 14 startups are operational in Israel, collectively securing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding.
Selected Entities for the Programmes
The following entities have been chosen to administer the training programmes:
- The Deep Tech Training Institute: Focused on entrepreneurship and company formation in semiconductors and quantum technologies, offering real-world experience and industry collaborations.
- University of Haifa: Specialising in entrepreneurship training to create innovative initiatives in aqua bio-convergence, merging biology and marine agriculture with computer science.
- XMafat: Concentrating on entrepreneurship and company formation in semiconductors and quantum technologies, grounded in practical experience and industry partnerships.
- Gram Biotech Foundry: Aiming to train entrepreneurs in validating bio-convergence initiatives, guiding them from ideation to the establishment of biotechnology firms.
- Ignite Deeptech: A programme created in collaboration with leading multinational corporations to increase the number of funded companies in Israel within the semiconductor and quantum sectors.
- Road2 Innovation: This initiative focuses on training entrepreneurs in deep technology fields, particularly in bio-convergence and semiconductors, with an emphasis on biochips and sensors.
This investment in training and development underscores a commitment to nurturing the next generation of deep tech leaders in Israel, ensuring the country remains at the cutting edge of technological innovation.