High-tech’s Israeli military connection
The IDF, as Israel’s military is known, is turning out entrepreneurs who are applying both their skills and business culture to automotive ventures, according to auto suppliers that are partnering with them. That culture includes an appetite for calculated risk, a habit of plain speaking, a network of trusted contacts, and a determination to bounce back after setbacks, according to interviews.
“The entrepreneurial spirit came from there,” said Yoni Heilbronn, chief marketing officer at Tel Aviv-based Argus Cyber Security, referring to his company’s roots. Argus provides solutions and services to protect connected cars and commercial vehicles against cyberattacks. “A significant portion of the team is IDF alumni.”