Israel’s high-tech sector continues to defy expectations and founders are raising funds at an impressive rate. A report released this June showed that Israeli startups raised roughly $8.6 billion of capital in the first half of 2026, up 45% compared to the same time period last year. 

Despite the ongoing growth of the local innovation ecosystem, it seems that an increasing number of startups are choosing to explore opportunities abroad. In 2022, 80% of startups were incorporated inside Israel but this figure has dropped sharply to just 55% according to data from Israel Advanced Technology Industries (IATI). 

According to IATI, of the 45% of new startups incorporating outside Israel are looking to the US,  citing easier regulations as the reason for the decision. In addition, the strength of the AI industry there acts as a further draw for Israeli founders in the AI and deep tech industries. 

Although immigrant founders have founded or co-founded 44% of American unicorns, changes to migration pathways such as the H-1B skills work visas mean it’s becoming increasingly difficult for founders to relocate to the US.

For Jewish-Lithuanian entrepreneur and investor Eugene Malobrodsky, who has achieved success in the US as a serial entrepreneur and investor, the current backlash against immigration could weaken the influx of foreign talent and cause a dent in US innovation and job creation.

Eugene is a Managing Partner at One Way Ventures, a seed-stage VC fund that backs immigrant tech founders, where the team is working to ensure the US remains the top destination for talented founders and innovators who drive the US economy forward.

Last year, the fund hosted the inaugural edition of the One Way Summit, the flagship event for immigrant founders spotlights the positive impact of immigrant founders in the US.

The organization’s 2026 two-day summit in San Francisco this October aims to inspire others to continue believing in the US as the place to build something big, even when the noise around them causes them to doubt it.

As the head organizer, we sat down with Eugene to learn more about what’s in store at One Way Summit this October, the challenges that founders from Israel and other countries........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)