Since the beginning of the military conflict in October, Israeli high-tech companies have faced a harsh reality. The #NoMatterWhat campaign was launched to demonstrate the industry’s resilience, but the reality turned out to be much more complex. Startups in Israel are experiencing significant difficulties: key employees, including executives, have been called up for reserve duty, and international clients are expressing concerns about the country’s stability, affecting deals and payment terms.
Investors now demand detailed contingency plans, forcing many companies to move parts of their operations abroad. What was once merely an economic measure has now become a vital necessity.
The global activities of Israeli companies are expanding. As Ronen Yair from ZIM explains, even before the conflict, companies began searching for talent abroad due to a shortage of specialists in the local market. With the mobilization of Israeli employees, remote teams from Eastern Europe have become an essential part of the business.
Today, companies are increasingly looking to hire not only developers but also project managers and product managers outside of Israel. This practice helps minimize risks and ensure business continuity during times of crisis.
Israeli high-tech, despite the challenges, is adapting to new realities. Companies are actively developing global operations, creating distributed teams, and attracting talent from around the world. This process, which began as a temporary measure, is increasingly becoming a long-term strategy.