Israel's Cybersecurity Dominance

Israel is one of the most targeted countries in the world when it comes to cyber attacks. As a result, it built a cybersecurity industry that is simply astonishing.

This industry is fueled by elite military units like 8200, where top recruits are molded from an early age. Many learned how to break into unbreakable computer systems before they were able to legally drink.

When these soldiers leave the army they start world changing tech companies. And the results are staggering:

• Check Point, founded in 1993, invented the modern firewall.

• NSO Group, infamous or celebrated (depending on who you ask), developed the Pegasus spyware that can infect Android and iPhones from messages. The target does not even need to click a link!

• Cloud security giant Wiz became the largest tech startup M&A in history at $32 billion.

Today, Israel has the most cybersecurity startups and investment per capita in the world. It has the highest M&A and investment per capita in the world.

That's very impressive!

But wait. Is it possible for Israel to be even more impressive?

You know it.

🔍 I ran the PitchBook data myself.

In many key absolute metrics, like private cybersecurity M&A and VC funding Israel ranks number one in the world. But, not just pound-for-pound. Not just per capita. In absolute terms.

Ahead of the USA.

Ahead of China.

Even ahead of the USA and China combined in some categories.

Talk about #StartupNation punching far, far above its weight.