Jerusalem's defense industries expand: Jerusalem Development Authority leads new Defense Tech accelerator with MAFAT and defense industries
The Jerusalem Development Authority, the Ministry of Defense, and the Jerusalem Municipality are launching a new defense-tech accelerator. Selected startups will receive funding of up to two million shekels, professional guidance, and connections to defense industries in Israel and abroad. The call for proposals will close on August 17, 2026.
The Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA) is leading a new accelerator program in the security field and publishing a call for proposals in partnership with the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, the Jerusalem Municipality, MAFAT (the Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research and Development), and the defense industries. The call is aimed at entities with experience in venture capital, high-tech, and defense industries to submit proposals for establishing an accelerator that will invest in ventures and companies operating in Jerusalem in the security field. A matching mechanism in the program will be funded by the JDA, which will grant an amount equal to the amount invested in the venture by the selected partners, up to a ceiling of two million shekels. The full terms are detailed in the call, which will close on August 17, 2026. The new accelerator will nurture startups that address the challenges of the participating defense industries, help them develop a proof of concept (POC) through access to research and laboratories, and assist them in business development and strategic connections to the industry in Israel and abroad. The accelerator is being established under the framework agreement for strategic cooperation between the Jerusalem Municipality and the Ministry of Defense, signed last December, and the call is part of the effort to establish Jerusalem as a leading center for innovation and technological development in defense, high-tech, medicine, and academic research. The CEO of the Jerusalem Development Authority, Tzachi Namir, was quoted as saying that the defense-tech field continues to expand in Jerusalem, joining the development centers of Rafael, Elbit-Rocker, Ofir Optronics, Sivan Lasers, and other leading defense companies. Brigadier General (res.) Dr. Danny Gold, head of MAFAT at the Ministry of Defense, was quoted as saying that MAFAT leads the technological spearhead and defense innovation and works to connect the defense establishment's challenges with dual-use technologies. Shimon Alboum, CEO of the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, was quoted as saying that the ministry leads a strategic move placing Jerusalem at the forefront of action for the country's security. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was quoted as saying that at least half of the startups participating in the program will be Jerusalem-based, and that the partnership between the government, the defense establishment, academia, and the business sector will give entrepreneurs a real envelope of capability demonstration, business development, strategic connections, and opening doors to international markets.