Israeli High-Tech Industry Launches Dedicated Hub for 470 Startups in New York

After more than a decade of growth, the number of Israeli startups in New York City has reached approximately 470. To support this expanding ecosystem, a dedicated innovation hub called 'Hakibbutz' has opened in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, a key technology and innovation district. The hub aims to serve as a daily meeting point for entrepreneurs, companies, venture capital funds, investors, and corporations to foster business connections and new opportunities.

The initiative is a strategic collaboration between the Israeli innovation network 'Hakibbutz,' which operates innovation spaces in Israel, and Israeli Mapped in NY, a platform that connects the Israeli high-tech industry in New York. Many Israeli companies, especially in cybersecurity, fintech, and artificial intelligence, view the U.S. as their primary market for growth, sales, partnerships, and fundraising. New York has become a central business hub for these companies due to its proximity to clients, venture capital, financial centers, and corporate headquarters.

Israeli Mapped in NY has played a key role in mapping Israeli tech companies in New York, organizing hundreds of professional meetings, launching an investment arm, and building a founders community and job platform. Amir Wollner, founder and CEO of Hakibbutz, emphasized that the goal was not just to create office space but a vibrant community where meaningful connections happen naturally, often outside formal meetings.

Throughout the year, Hakibbutz will host founder dinners, investor meetings, roundtables, content events, and sessions with American corporate executives to encourage ongoing collaboration and business opportunities. Guy Franklin, founder and CEO of Israeli Mapped in NY, noted the maturation of the Israeli tech industry in New York, growing from 56 startups a decade ago to 470 today, making the establishment of a dedicated home essential.

This partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations, each independently developed over years, to strengthen the Israeli tech ecosystem in New York and create a permanent hub for innovation and business growth.