Unistream CEO Emphasizes Investing in Peripheral Youth to Secure Israel's High-Tech Future
Yifat Bachur, CEO of the Unistream Association, stressed the critical importance of investing in Israel's peripheral youth during an interview at the National Economic Conference hosted by Calcalist, Bank Leumi, and Clal. She argued that supporting the next generation is not merely charitable but a strategic necessity for sustaining Israel's high-tech sector and overall economy.
Bachur shared examples illustrating the resilience of youth in disadvantaged areas, including a story from Kiryat Shmona where teenagers innovated a solution to extend the shelf life of spoiled milk, turning a challenge into an entrepreneurial opportunity. The interview took place within the conference's social track, which highlighted social initiatives as key to Israel's civic and economic resilience and showcased collaborations between business, high-tech, and the nonprofit sector to promote social mobility and reduce disparities.
Addressing barriers faced by youth in peripheral communities, Bachur pointed to infrastructure gaps, language challenges, and social fears, such as three girls from Rahat who were afraid to travel to Tel Aviv by bus while wearing hijabs. Although Unistream funded private transportation for them, she called this a temporary fix and expressed hope for a society where no one fears discrimination. Similar adaptations are underway in the ultra-Orthodox community to facilitate exposure to the business world.
Unistream, active for 25 years, currently supports about 3,500 young people mainly from social and geographic peripheries, equipping them with entrepreneurial skills to launch startups. Bachur views entrepreneurship as a vital tool for economic and social mobility, enabling access to networking and employment regardless of birthplace.
Despite fundraising challenges due to competing demands from war and mental health needs, Bachur noted growing corporate recognition that investing in youth is "planting seeds for the future of high-tech." The association also launched "Yuni Start," an accelerator for survivors of the October 7 attacks, providing personalized support for starting tech and non-tech businesses.
Finally, Bachur highlighted the increasing importance of entrepreneurship education amid the rise of artificial intelligence in the workforce. She emphasized that employers now seek "soft skills" like critical thinking, empathy, and data literacy, and that young people’s ability to leverage AI tools will be a major driver of economic mobility in the near future.