Israel’s Two-Engines Model

11 November, 2025

The traditional model combining high-impact semiconductors startups with multinational R&D hubs, undergoes changes. "The challenge now is to evolve from a ‘build to exit’, toward a ‘build to last’ model”

The nonprofit organization Startup Nation Central, has released Israel’s Semiconductor Landscape 2025, a report and interactive map revealing the “Two-Engine Paradox” powering Israel’s chip sector. Combining multinational R&D centers and agile startups, Israel has become a global hub for semiconductor R&D and design, developing core technologies that fuel the world’s AI and computing infrastructure.

Based on data from the Startup Nation Finder business engagement platform, the report outlines Israel’s “two-engine” model combining high-impact startups with multinational R&D hubs to drive core chip innovation for the world’s leading technology companies. Israeli teams design central technologies such as Intel’s Gaudi AI processors, Amazon’s Graviton CPUs and Nitro networking systems, and Nvidia’s data center interconnects.

“Israel’s semiconductor ecosystem has evolved into a global R&D powerhouse,” said Avi Hasson, CEO of Startup Nation Central. “Our engineers design the chips that power AI, cloud infrastructure, and defense systems. The next step is to grow companies that scale independently rather than sell early.”

Ratio of 1:5 compared with the US

Over the past decade, for every $5 invested in US semiconductor startups, $1 was invested in Israeli companies, a ratio of 1:5, compared to the overall 1:15 ratio between Israeli and U.S. VC investment volumes. This remarkable figure highlights the strategic weight of Israel’s chip sector and its strong alignment with global capital trends.

The report identifies more than 250 active semiconductor companies, representing about 3.5% of Israel’s technology ecosystem. While the number of firms has grown 16% over the past decade, the sector is entering a phase of consolidation, with activity shifting from rapid expansion to stable, capital-intensive growth.

Funding remains resilient. Following a record $1.2 billion raised in 2021, annual private investment has stabilized at $0.4–0.5 billion. Median round sizes are two to four times higher than the national tech average, reaching $35 million in 2025, supported by major financings such as Quantum Machines ($170M) and Retym ($75M).

No more “Fast Exits”

M&A continues to define the sector’s global integration. Key deals include Intel’s $15.3B purchase of Mobileye, Nvidia’s $6.9B acquisition of Mellanox, and KLA’s $3.4B acquisition of Orbotech, embedding Israeli innovation into the global supply chain. The industry is estimated to employ about 45,000 people (9% of Israel’s tech workforce). The biggest employers are Intel with 9,300 employees and Nvidia with 5,500 employees.

Unlike Israel’s software sector, semiconductor facilities are spread nationwide, supporting both regional growth and workforce diversity.  “The ecosystem’s reliance on exits, combined with high operational costs, has slowed new startup formation,” said Yariv Lotan, VP of Product and Data at Startup Nation Central. “Its central challenge now is to evolve from a ‘build to exit’ mindset toward a ‘build to last’ model.”

More information: 2025 Semiconductor Landscape Map and full report on Startup Nation Finder

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Posted in: News , Semiconductors

Posted in tags: Israel , semiconductors

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