India and Israel are intensifying their collaboration in emerging technologies, with startups driving the momentum. At the core of this partnership lies the India–Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F), which fuels joint projects and nurtures innovation. Complementing it are cross-border delegations, incubation programs, and Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in areas such as water technology and dual-use innovations, all of which reinforce bilateral ties.
The trade flow has also transformed. What once revolved around Israel transferring agri-tech expertise to India has now evolved into a two-way exchange. Today, Indian fintech and digital solutions are making their mark in Israel, signalling a maturing, reciprocal dynamic.
Looking ahead, the collaboration promises even greater depth. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space technologies, and cybersecurity are poised to dominate the next chapter of cooperation. Both governments are actively enabling this trajectory by expanding CoEs, rolling out skilling programs, and deepening university-level exchanges.
Against this backdrop, The Interview World engaged in an exclusive conversation with Maya Sherman, Innovation Attaché at the Embassy of Israel in India, during SPRINT North Edition 2025 at IILM University, Gurugram, an integral part of the 100 Startups 100 Days initiative of IIT Ropar and iHub–AwaDH. She shed light on Israel’s role in advancing deep-tech collaborations with Indian startups and identified key trends shaping this ecosystem. She also spotlighted cross-startup partnerships, highlighted the evolving trade balance in technology exports and imports, and envisioned how the India–Israel tech alliance could redefine itself over the next decade.
Here are the most compelling insights from her conversation.
Q: How is Israel fostering collaborations with Indian startups in deep tech, and what key trends are emerging from these partnerships?
A: We see remarkable collaborations unfolding, particularly in the startup space. India offers a powerful ecosystem, rich in talent, resources, and opportunities, that makes it a natural partner for Israel in emerging technologies.
To harness this potential, we are driving multiple initiatives. We are working closely with universities, supporting incubation programs, and steadily opening our own ecosystem to Indian innovators. At the same time, we have built strong institutional mechanisms to sustain this momentum.
A prime example is the joint fund established by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Israel Innovation Authority. This platform enables both nations to co-invest in research, development, and commercialization.
The journey is only beginning. With many milestones ahead, this is a truly exciting moment for India and Israel to reimagine what is possible in the technology space.
Q: Are there significant cross-startup collaborations between Indian and Israeli startups, and what opportunities do you foresee?
A: As I mentioned earlier, Israel and India jointly operate the India–Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F), which channels millions of euros into collaborative projects. The fund’s core mission is simple yet powerful: to bring Indian and Israeli startups together to co-develop solutions with global impact.
Momentum is already visible. A delegation from the Israel Innovation Authority will soon visit Bengaluru, showcasing mobility startups and opening new avenues for cooperation. Parallelly, the Embassy is driving a series of cross-border startup programs, designed to foster sustained engagement and innovation exchange.
The landscape is equally dynamic in sector-specific initiatives. Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for dual-use technologies are already operational, while water-tech CoEs bring Israeli experts and startups directly into India’s ecosystem. At the same time, Indian startups are increasingly traveling to Israel through delegations, creating a two-way flow of knowledge and opportunity.
Clearly, this is a transformative moment for both nations, especially for startups. Governments, embassies, and innovators are working in sync, ensuring that collaborations translate into tangible outcomes. The scope is vast, spanning multiple sectors and priorities.
The real challenges and opportunities now depends upon capitalizing on the decades of partnership to unlock even greater value across industries. The foundation is strong. The momentum is building. The milestones ahead promise to redefine the India–Israel innovation alliance.
Q: What does the current trade balance look like between India and Israel in terms of technology exports and imports?
A: The collaboration is no longer one-sided; it flows both ways, and that point is critical. India’s rapid rise as a technology ecosystem has become highly relevant, not only for Israel but for many nations. Consider its breakthroughs in fintech, particularly UPI and the broader Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). These innovations demonstrate how scale and digital architecture can transform economies.
Israel is actively exploring how to adapt these models, and so are other countries watching India’s success closely. Beyond fintech, India’s deep-tech solutions are also attracting attention. This marks a clear shift. In the past, Israel primarily transferred agricultural technologies to India. Today, Indian innovations are equally flowing to Israel.
This reciprocal exchange represents how modern partnerships should evolve. India offers a wealth of technologies, nuances, and startups that deeply interest Israel. That is precisely why Israel has increased its investments in the Indian market.
The collaboration is visible on the ground. Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are fostering innovation, with Israeli startups incubating in India to gain access to its vast market. This creates a new synergy that is only set to grow stronger.
Adding further momentum, both nations have recently signed a promising trade agreement, an important milestone that signals the depth and future potential of the India–Israel partnership.
Q: How do you envision India-Israel technology collaborations evolving over the next decade, and what key innovation trends may emerge?
A: Several sectors hold immense promise for collaboration, but deep tech stands out. Discussions are already advancing in quantum technologies and space exploration, while cybersecurity remains a mature and robust area of partnership.
The true strength of technology lies in convergence. The interplay of AI, quantum, and cybersecurity will create breakthroughs that both nations are uniquely positioned to harness. These intersections represent the frontier where India and Israel can co-create solutions with global impact.
Looking ahead, the priority is clear: expand Centers of Excellence (CoEs), launch more startup skilling programs, and strengthen university exchanges. These initiatives will anchor the next phase of cooperation.
So far, much of the effort has focused on digitizing traditional disciplines. Now, both nations are ready to take a decisive leap forward. The future lies in advancing dual-use technologies, scaling quantum research, deepening space collaborations, and building CoEs that reflect shared priorities.
This is the direction the partnership is heading toward deeper, more transformative engagements in frontier technologies.
