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Increasingly focused on promoting international relations, Leonardo has just signed two innovation-driven agreements, one with the Israeli Innovation Authority and the other with Ramot Tel Aviv University. The aim is to strengthen its positioning in the world by fostering structural relations with countries, such as Israel, that are regarded as of strategic importance. It is no coincidence that, in late November 2022, the company led by Alessandro Profumo completed a merger between the US subsidiary Leonardo DRS and the Israeli listed company Rada, which led to the automatic listing of DRS.
Israel has developed an innovation ecosystem that has become the driving force of the country's growth, contributing to 15.3%% of Israel’s GDP and 54% of its exports, and employing about 10.4% of the workforce in a country with a population of 9.4 million people. Known as “Startup Nation”, Israel has over 7,000 start-ups, 430 venture capital funds, 100 accelerators and 37 incubators. With such figures, in 2021 - as a result of post-Covid peaks - it attracted $27 billion in start-up investments. And 2022 is expected to close at $20 billion. For its part, Leonardo seeks to use innovation as a lever to strengthen its presence in areas of interest around the world. It is therefore logical that it should strengthen relations with the Israeli state, whose ecosystem develops innovative high-tech solutions also in strategic sectors for Leonardo's business, such as defence, cybersecurity, aeronautics, intelligence and Space.
As mentioned, the Group has signed two agreements. The first is with the Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA), an independent public agency providing technical and financial support for innovative projects promoted by both Israeli and international start-ups, mature companies, multinationals and universities. The second is with Ramot, the Technology Transfer Company that develops the intellectual property of the Tel Aviv University, which to date has invested in over 100 start-ups and works with companies to implement applied research projects, also using IIA funds. The partnerships are promoted by Leonardo and supported and coordinated by the Italian Embassy in Israel, with the contribution of the Israeli Embassy in Italy and the Economic Mission of Israel in Milan.
The agreements will be implemented immediately through active collaboration in scouting start-ups for the second international call of the Leonardo Business Innovation Factory (BIF).
As a result of the programme, launched by the company on 24 January and dedicated to start-ups submitting innovative solutions in the fields of simulation and gamification and networking & cybersecurity, one of the five legs of the promotional road show will be held in Tel Aviv on 28 February.
