Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Women in Defense Tech and the Future of Israeli Innovation

At iKare Innovation, we have always believed that diversity is not just a social goal: it is a strategic engine for progress. In the fast-evolving landscape of Israeli technology, few sectors have been as traditionally male-dominated as defense. However, as highlighted in a recent feature by The Jerusalem Report by Ruth Marks Eglash, the tide is turning.

A New Era for Defense Tech

The article spotlights Protego Ventures, a $150 million Israeli defense-tech venture capital fund. What makes Protego truly stand out is its leadership: it is the only fund in this sector led by two women, Lital Leshem and Lee Moser.

In a field often governed by former high-ranking male generals, Leshem and Moser are proving that a blend of military experience and financial expertise is the winning formula for the next generation of "dual-use" technologies (innovations that serve both national security and global civilian markets).

The iKare Perspective: Bridging the Gender Gap

Our own CEO and Director of Women in Tech Israel, Anne Baer, was featured in the report to provide context on the current state of women in the industry. As Anne pointed out, while Israel is a global powerhouse for cyber and defense, women remain significantly underrepresented.

"In 2023, there were about 3,000 cyber startups in the world, out of which about 1,000 are in Israel. Out of those, only four were founded by women," Anne noted.

At iKare, we see this not just as a statistic, but as a "missed opportunity." While many young women in Israel are choosing to serve in combat roles to prove equality, Anne advocates for a strategic shift: encouraging more women to aim for elite tech units. By mastering high-level technology during their military service, women can position themselves as the CEOs and CTOs of tomorrow’s most influential startups.

Anne Baer, CEO at iKare Innovation & Director of Women in Tech Israel

Why This Matters Now

The nature of defense is changing. We are moving away from a world defined solely by tanks and boots on the ground toward a future of AI, autonomous drones, and ultra-sensitive sensors.

As Protego’s Lital Leshem explains, defense tech is no longer a "privilege", it is a necessity. Because Israeli technologies are "battle-tested" in real-time, they carry a global stamp of reliability. For investors and international partners, this creates a unique ecosystem of resilience and innovation.

Looking Ahead

The success of leaders like Leshem and Moser - and the ongoing work we do at iKare Innovation and Women in Tech - demonstrates that the "glass ceiling" in defense tech is finally cracking.

Our mission remains clear: to foster an environment where talent is judged by performance, not gender. We want to see more women dreaming of tech, leading funds, and building the technologies that will protect and improve lives worldwide.

To read the full article, click here.

Want to learn more about how iKare Innovation is supporting the next wave of Israeli tech? Contact us at anne.baer@ikare-innovation.com