NEW YORK CITY – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-class aerospace and defense leader, hosted its CATALYST Innovation cohort at the New York Stock Exchange, bringing together startups, corporate leaders, government stakeholders, investors and strategic partners to explore emerging technologies and strengthen collaboration across the aerospace, defense and dual-use innovation ecosystem.
The Innovation Showcase marked the culmination of the fourth cohort of the IAI CATALYST program, where participating startups presented the technologies they developed throughout the accelerator. More than a traditional Demo Day, the event highlighted IAI’s unique collaboration with the U.S. defense industry to develop and deliver groundbreaking technological innovations. IAI’s innovation programs flourished in a global innovation network and demonstrated how collaboration across industry, defense and venture ecosystems can accelerate the adoption of breakthrough technologies.
The event also featured executive keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities designed to foster new relationships among startups, investors, government representatives and industry leaders while creating a platform for future commercial partnerships.
“Innovation has always been at the heart of IAI, and we believe that advancing the next generation of technologies requires close collaboration between established industry leaders and startups,” said IAI Chairman of the Board Boaz Levy. “The CATALYST program reflects our commitment to fostering that collaboration by connecting visionary entrepreneurs with the expertise, capabilities and real-world experience of IAI. Through these partnerships, we are helping transform promising technologies into practical solutions that address real-world challenges while reinforcing Israel’s position as a global innovation leader.”
“IAI’s Innovation Center is a hub of technological excellence that is constantly evolving, said Guy Bar-lev, IAI’s Acting CEO. Tackling tomorrow’s challenges requires forward-thinking and preserving technological independence. To that end, we are fostering collaborations with partners in Israel and around the globe to lead the defense, aviation, and space sectors for decades to come. The center’s uniqueness lies in a dynamic model that provides entrepreneurs with close technological and engineering guidance from experienced teams within IAI. The ventures that grow here are more than ideas; they are true growth engines that will be integrated into the company’s future systems.”
During the event, participating startups from IAI’s U.S. accelerator showcased innovative solutions spanning key areas, including next-generation artificial intelligence, robotics and drones, advanced sensors, advanced materials and manufacturing, autonomy, advanced communications, quantum technologies, space innovative technologies, propulsion systems and energy sources, and advanced systems to digest data.
Brig. Gen. (Res) Eytan Eshel, EVP of Technology, R&D and Innovation (CTO) of IAI: “The CATALYST program is IAI’s global accelerator (operate with Starburst Aerospace) for early-stage aerospace, defense and dual-use technology startups. The program connects high-potential startups with IAI’s business units to explore commercial opportunities, validate technologies and develop pilot projects that address real-world industry and defense challenges. Selected startups receive mentorship from IAI and industry experts, business development support, customer introductions and access to IAI’s technical and commercial ecosystem. The program is designed to accelerate strategic partnerships rather than provide a traditional venture accelerator experience’.
About IAI
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a world-leading aerospace and defense company innovating and delivering cutting-edge technologies in space, air, land, naval, cyber & homeland security for defense and commercial markets. Combining the spirit of innovation with decades of combat-proven experience, IAI provides customers with tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions to the unique challenges they face, including satellites, UAVs, missiles, intelligence solutions, weapon systems, air defense systems, robotic systems, radars, business jets, aerostructures, and more. Established in 1953, IAI is one of Israel’s largest technology employers with offices and R&D centers in Israel and abroad.
