Matara launches to connect Israeli defense tech with global partners
The new venture aims to match international defense needs with Israel’s deep-tech startups.
As global interest in Israel’s defense technology sector grows in the aftermath of the Iron Swords War, a new company called Matara - Hebrew for “target” - has emerged with a plan to bridge foreign defense needs with Israeli technological capabilities.
Founded by Gil Devora, Asaf Tamir, and retired senior military officials Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, former Head of MAFAT and Chairman of the Israel Space Agency, and Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Doron Tamir, former IDF Chief Intelligence Officer and co-founder of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, Matara positions itself as a defense innovation platform and accelerator that blends venture-building methods with operational defense experience.
Devora, who previously co-founded fintech hub The Floor, said Matara was built around focus and precision, describing the company’s goal as keeping its “eyes on the target.”
The company operates on a venture foundry model based on what it calls “reverse innovation.” Instead of starting with a startup idea, Matara begins with a specific problem or operational challenge identified by a defense organization, either governmental or private.
Under formal partnerships, these organizations outline their needs, and Matara searches the Israeli startup ecosystem for technologies that could meet them. If an appropriate solution exists, Matara helps connect the parties and supports the collaboration through early testing and pilot phases, earning a facilitation fee.
If no existing company fits, Matara may help establish a new venture to address the gap, with the strategic partner serving as a “design customer” throughout development.
The launch comes at a time of rising defense budgets worldwide, with countries such as Germany and Japan accelerating investment in advanced security technologies. The war in Gaza has also renewed attention on how Israel’s deep-tech ecosystem - spanning AI, cybersecurity, and robotics - can serve evolving military and national security needs abroad.
Co-founder Asaf Tamir described a growing openness among defense organizations to work with startups developing technologies that originated in civilian sectors. “There’s been a huge shift in how militaries view commercial innovation,” he said, noting Israel’s dense concentration of deep-tech companies as a key advantage.
