Startup Nation Turns 77: A Legacy of Innovation, from the Ground to the Cloud
Written by Liza Yedwab, MIBA Manager of Business Development, Israel
Over the past seventy-seven years, Israel has pulled off what might be described as a high-tech miracle in slow motion. Born in mostly desert, the country has grown into a global innovation powerhouse, turning scarcity into strategy and problems into patents.
When the Desert Says “No,” Israel Says “Let’s Invent a Hose”
In the early years, the challenges were basic and overwhelming, with scarce water and hostile terrain. Then came Simcha Blass, who, after seeing a tree growing “without water” being visible, he realized that plants could be watered precisely. And just like that, drip irrigation was born. This method can be found on every continent on the planet, and it doesn’t just save water but proves that the desert can be agriculturally viable.
Also, bonus points for giving the world the cherry tomato: tiny, sweet, and now part of salads from Detroit to Dehli. Not bad for a country that once had to ration oranges.
Wastewater: From “Ew” to “Ooh!”
Facing persistent drought, Israel didn’t just accept the problem but engineered its way out. Today, the country recycles nearly 90% of its wastewater (around four times hirer than any other country in the world)
As climate change reshapes the world’s relationship with water, Israel’s approach is becoming a blueprint for other nations looking to thrive in dry times.
Startup Nation, Start Your Engines
By the ’90s and 2000s, Israel had shifted into high gear. The world took notice. Mobileye came along, teaching cars to look both ways, as often it’s drivers could forget to. The company’s advanced driver-assistance tech made driving safer and eventually led to a $15.3 billion acquisition by Intel.
Meanwhile, the PillCam made colonoscopies less awkward. A swallowable camera that explores your insides like it’s on a scientific expedition.
Ancient Dates, Modern Vibes
In what sounds like a biblical side quest, Israeli scientists brought 2,000-year-old seeds, found in the Judean Desert, back to life. These date palms, biblical fruits that had been dormant for over 2 millennium, were reborn with help from modern science.
Self-Defense with a Side of Efficiency
A global self defense phenomena known as Krav Maga , was developed by the IDF. No frills, no flying kicks, just practical moves designed to keep one safe. Developed out of necessity, it’s now used worldwide by security forces and fitness buffs.
Clouds, Cows, and Crashing on the Moon
Fast forward to the 2010s and beyond, and you’ll find Israel doing all the high-tech things:
- Launching Beresheet, a moon lander that proved ambition doesn’t need a NASA budget
- Growing laboratory made steak thanks to Aleph Farms, enhancing food security, animal welfare and sustainability.
- Securing the cloud like Wiz, which became a cybersecurity juggernaut, with its recent Google acquisition of $32B
But more than the tech itself, it’s the mindset that will carry Israel forward with a blend of pragmatism, necessity, borderless collaboration, and a cultural refusal to say, “It can’t be done.”
From desert farms to digital firewalls, Israel’s 77-year journey is more than a startup story; it’s a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity. The next chapters are now being written in labs, in garages, and perhaps even in orbit.
Here’s to the next 77 years of turning problems into patents and doing it with lots of chutzpah!!!
