More and more women are working in high-tech in Israel, but gaps in management, entrepreneurship, and investment remain significant. The Israeli Innovation Authority has published the "Women in High-Tech 2025 Status Report," which provides a comprehensive overview of women's integration into the Israeli innovation industry.
Only 17% of leadership positions in Israeli tech companies are held by women, and only 10% of women are CEOs of startups.
Over the past decade, the number of women studying high-tech professions has doubled, the number of women employed in the sector has increased by 65%, and the number of women in research and development (R&D) roles has risen by 140%.
"Israel is a global technological powerhouse, and we do not have the privilege of neglecting the immense potential of women in shaping the innovation of tomorrow. Advancing women in high-tech is not just a matter of social justice, but an essential economic lever to strengthen Israel’s competitiveness and make the high-tech sector more inclusive and diverse. It is a critical economic engine for increasing labor productivity and maintaining Israel’s competitive edge in the global economy," said Gila Gamliel, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology.
The survey shows that the number of women employed in the high-tech sector has increased by 65% over the past decade, reaching about 130,000 women, but their relative share remains only 33.5% of the sector’s workforce – with no significant change in three decades. The largest growth was recorded in research and development (R&D) positions: the number of women in R&D roles has increased by 140% over the past decade, but they remain a minority in the industry, with only 26.5% of all R&D employees – an increase of 23% from a decade ago.
"The change is evident in the numbers, but it is far from satisfactory. We must continue to work to create equal opportunities for women in high-tech – by expanding training and education programs, developing programs to promote women in leadership roles, and encouraging female entrepreneurship," explains Dror Bin, CEO of the Israeli Innovation Authority.
Furthermore, women represent only 17.6% of senior management in private tech companies, and 24.3% of board members in public companies. Women-led startups have raised only 4.3% of all funds raised by startups in recent years, and in 40% of active venture capital funds in Israel, there is not a single woman partner.
To promote and expand the representation of women in high-tech and reduce the gaps, systemic and comprehensive actions are necessary.
Caroline Haïat
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