Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, announced on Tuesday that he will conclude his five‑year tenure in the coming months, following a planned transition process intended to ensure continuity as the IIA prepares for new leadership.
Bin has led the IIA since 2021, during a period marked by global economic turbulence, the COVID‑19 pandemic, and the economic impact of the Israel-Hamas War.
Throughout these challenges, the IIA under Bin, oversaw major national efforts to support Israel’s hi‑tech sector, an industry that today represents roughly 20% of Israel’s GDP and about 60% of its exports. The Israeli hi-tech sector employs hundreds of thousands of people, both directly and indirectly, across the local economy.
According to the IIA, Bin expanded investment in Israeli technology companies and research infrastructure, launching several major funding frameworks, including the Startup Fund, the new Yozma Fund, and the Applied Research Fund. These initiatives were designed to help local entrepreneurs and technology companies continue to grow despite global market slowdowns and market uncertainty.
A central focus of the IIA under Bin was strengthening Israel’s position in deep‑tech and artificial intelligence (AI).
The IIA invested in advanced R&D infrastructure and supported the development of emerging technology companies. At the same time, it worked to broaden innovation activity across Israel’s geographic and social periphery through a network of innovation centers.
International partnerships with governments, multinational corporations, and research institutions were also expanded.
The IIA additionally advanced programs aimed at increasing the hi‑tech talent pool, promoting innovation within the public sector, and deepening collaboration between academia, industry, and government.
Reflecting on his tenure, Bin said he believed this was “the right time” to step down, noting that despite the complicated situation facing the country, its hi-tech ecosystem “continues to demonstrate resilience, strength, and adaptability, even amid considerable uncertainty, and is well positioned to address the challenges and opportunities of the years ahead.”
Bin notes with pride that, along with the Authority’s employees, government ministries, entrepreneurs, investors and tech companies, the IIA had laid the “critical foundations” for future growth, particularly in AI, deep‑tech, and the broader innovation ecosystem to “ensure Israel’s continued position at the forefront of global innovation.”
The IIA’s’s council is expected to appoint a search committee in the coming period to identify candidates for the next CEO.
The committee will issue a public call for applicants, who will be evaluated based on senior executive experience in hi‑tech, familiarity with innovation and the Israeli economy, and the ability to lead strategic initiatives, both domestically and internationally.
Bin will remain in his position as CEO during the transition period, and will overseeing the handover process to ensure organizational stability and continued progress inon the IIAAuthority’s strategic initiatives.