Tesla, xAI, SpaceX - How Elon's companies are changing Israel
At CyberTech Tel Aviv, we sat down with Captain Eli, former Tesla team member and now working with xAI, for a wide-ranging conversation about Tesla, full self-driving, X, and Israel’s role in the future of mobility.
Eli shares his journey from selling Teslas in Israel (even selling one to our very own Yoel Israel) to working within the Elon Musk ecosystem and explains why he believes Israel could be the first country to fully adopt self-driving technology.
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IsraelTech will be at Tech1
This May, Tech1 is bringing together the people building the next chapter of Israeli tech, and IsraelTech will be there as a media partner.
We will cover the conversations that matter on the ground, sit down with the founders and leaders shaping the ecosystem, and share their stories with our audience.
If you care about where Israeli tech is heading in 2026, this is one not to miss.
See you at Tech1!
This Week in Israeli Tech News
The Government of Israel is advancing plans to rapidly expand AI-focused data centers, positioning the country for greater technological and strategic leadership.
The teams driving this ambitious move are strengthening Israel’s AI capabilities and energy infrastructure.
Autonomous drone company Xtend is heading to Wall Street at a $1.5 billion valuation following a reverse merger with Nasdaq-listed JFB Construction Holdings (Nasdaq: JFB). The company also secured $152 million in pre-IPO financing from investors, including Eric Trump and Protego Ventures.
Cybersecurity startup Venice, founded by Rotem Lurie (CEO) and Or Vaknin (CTO), emerged from stealth with $33 million in total funding, including a $25 million Series A led by IVP with participation from Index Ventures and others.
AI startup Solid, co-founded by Yoni Leitersdorf (CEO) and Tal Segalov (CTO), secured a $20 million seed round led by Team8 and SignalFire.
Biotech company Starget Pharma, founded by Sigal Kalmanson Cusnir (CEO) and Ronen Kalmanson, raised $18 million in a Series A round led by Ilex Medical, alongside US-based investors.
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, one of Israel’s most established global shipping companies, is set to be acquired by Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd in a transaction that underscores the company’s remarkable transformation over the past decade.
Culture Corner
For the first time in history, a female naval officer will command one of the Israeli Navy’s missile boats. Lieutenant Commander “Resh” officially takes command of a Sa’ar 4.5-class vessel in a handover ceremony this week. The military calls the appointment a “significant milestone” reflecting excellence and equal opportunity in operational command. The missile boat has participated in complex missions, including seizing weapons from the former Assad regime in Syria in December 2024 and intercepting aerial threats. Dozens of male and female sailors serve aboard the vessel she now leads.
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