The Economic Mission at the Israeli Embassy to the U.S. and The CET Sandbox are proud to cohost The Israel Defense Advisory Network (“IDAN”), a community of U.S.-based national security executives tracking the Israeli defense-tech startup ecosystem.
P R O G R A M S
- Startup Spotlight. Live monthly video calls featuring the latest battle-tested, late-stage-TRL defense-tech capabilities in Israel.Â
- Strategic Briefings. Regular conversations with leading Israeli defense experts that explain the unique 21st century battlefield challenges that Israel faces daily.
- Ecosystem Access. Opportunities to engage on-the-ground in Tel Aviv in curated programs and workshops, including introductions to specific defense-tech cos.
B E N E F I T SÂ Â
- Early Warning. Members get first-look at the latest battle-tested, late-stage-TRL defense-tech capabilities being deployed in Israel across multiple theaters.
- Safe Environment. Israeli startups are not invited to participate. All sessions are led by VC partners and defense experts, and are focused on dialogue, not pitches.
- Personalized Followup. Members can request conversations with relevant startups for teaming, partnership, investment, pilots, PoCs, or other engagements.
- Catalog Access. Members get access to a regularly updated directory of Israeli Critical and Emerging Technology startups and defense-tech capabilities.
T E N E T SÂ
- Privacy. The IDAN places a premium on members’ privacy and confidentiality. We do not publish, nor do we ever share, our member list with any outside organization.Â
- Optionality. There are no requirements to meet startups, unless you so desire. Requests are “pulled” from our U.S. members, not “pushed” by Israeli startups.
- Exchange. Dialogue and participation are valued and central to the IDAN as we seek to bolster U.S. national security through battle-tested Israeli capabilities.Â
- Simplicity. There are no fees, contracts, paperwork or obligations, nor are there requirements to attend a specific number of IDAN meetings. Flexibility is prioritized.
S C H E D U L E
The IDAN convenes on the first Tuesday of every month at 12 p.m. ET. The anticipated schedule, subject to change is:
- Sept. 1, 2026 — Edge Autonomy
- Oct. 6, 2026 — Counter Drone
- Nov. 3, 2026 — Homeland Security, Border Protection
- Dec. 1, 2026 — Maritime Security
- Jan. 5, 2027 — Critical Infrastructure
- Feb. 2, 2027 — Communications and Networking
E L I G I B I L I T YÂ
The IDAN is open to members of the U.S. Defense Industrial Base who are interested in tracking the latest Critical and Emerging Technologies in Israel. The IDAN reserves the right to exclude parties that are disruptive or violate the IDAN’s tenets, above.
Join Today. To apply to join the IDAN, please complete this form.
