18x Elite Impact Spurs 150 Veteran Startups, Raising Over $15 Million in 1 Year
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 11
18x Elite Impact Spurs 150 Veteran Startups, Raising Over $15 Million in 1 Year
2 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 11
150 startups founded by IDF reserve veterans have emerged through 18x Elite Impact in its first year, with the companies securing more than $15 million in investment.
The program says it is helping former soldiers from the Gaza, Lebanon and Iran wars turn military experience into businesses, partly to ease reintegration into civilian life and create jobs.
12 selected startups pitched investors, industry executives and government officials at a Tel Aviv summit marking the program’s anniversary, held with Israel’s Innovation Authority.
400 investors and mentors back the effort, including Armis co-founder Nadir Izrael, former Waze CEO Noam Bardin and ex-IDF chief Aviv Kohavi.
The 150 ventures account for a notable share of Israel’s roughly 1,000 new projects, according to Innovation Authority estimates that also include stealth startups without public seed rounds.
Beyond initial funding, how do these veteran-led startups' survival rates truly compare in Israel's tech scene?
Can this elite model scale to help all reservists, or does it create a new entrepreneurial class?
Does entrepreneurship heal combat trauma or just redirect it into a new high-stakes mission?
18x Elite Impact’s 2025 Debut: 150 Startups, $15M Raised, and a New Era for Israeli Veteran Entrepreneurs
Overview
Launched in 2025, the 18x Elite Impact program quickly became a major force in Israeli innovation by offering a structured pathway for military personnel to transition into entrepreneurship. By honoring their service and leveraging their leadership and problem-solving skills, the program helps veterans become the next generation of Israeli entrepreneurs. This approach not only supports individual career growth but also strengthens the resilience of Israeli society. Through its unique model, the program channels military discipline into the tech ecosystem, fostering innovation and economic growth across the nation.