TECH IL Opens With Focus on AI, Cyber, Defense Tech and the Dollar

TECH IL is set to bring together top figures from Israel’s technology sector to discuss major trends in the industry, foreign exchange pressures, large cyber exits and the growing defense-tech market. The event will also unveil Globes’ annual list of the “10 Promising Startups,” ranked this year by a record 100 venture capital funds.

Among the participants are Wiz cofounder Ami Luttwak, Shlomo Kramer, Liad Agmon, Michal Braverman-Blumenstyk, Hamutal Meridor, Eyal Freund of ESOP and Hila Zigman. A dedicated defense-tech session will feature former Air Force commander and Ace Capital Partners cofounder Amikam Norkin, along with Ondas CEO Oshri Lugasi.

The program begins at 8:30 a.m. with arrival and coffee, followed by the opening session at 9:30 with Globes publisher Alona Bar-On, Shlomo Kramer and Eyal Freund. Later sessions will cover unusual aspects of artificial intelligence, how AI is changing cyber, and the successful rise of Israeli defense tech, with speakers including Liad Agmon, Hila Zigman, Hamutal Meridor, Chen Golan and Dr. Yehudit Hocherman-Fromer.

Other panels will examine mergers and acquisitions, the drones problem, and whether Israeli tech can keep growing in 2026 amid Claude and the dollar rate. At 1:20 p.m., Ami Luttwak will speak about the biggest exit in Israel’s history. The startup ranking will be revealed at 1:40 p.m., followed by lunch and networking. Globes said the conference is supported by Phoenix Group, Phoenix ESOP, Ondas Israel, Microsoft Israel R&D, Fisher (FBC), Voicenter, Cyberstarts and the Israel Innovation Authority.