LET'S INNOVATE

INNOVATION CENTER

Israel Aerospace Industries is a global aerospace and defense leader, built on engineering depth, operational knowledge, and decades of systems experience.

Through its Innovation Center, IAI connects that foundation with startup speed, flexibility, and creativity — helping new technologies move faster, adapt smarter, and create real impact across aerospace, defense, and beyond.

Our Story

The IAI Innovation Center is where ambition meets execution. We bring together breakthrough startups, IAI teams, deep-tech expertise, and real operational challenges.

Inside the center, ideas are tested, shaped, and built into solutions for aerospace, defense, and the markets beyond. With global experience and Israel’s open-minded mentality, we help innovation move faster.

Our Vision

We believe innovation happens when the right people, tools, and momentum come together. Our vision is to shape the future of aerospace, defense, and beyond by connecting startup agility with IAI’s technological edge.

Together, we build technology that moves faster, works smarter, and matters more

Organic Innovation

The next big thing might already be sitting in an IAI engineer’s notebook. Our job is to find it.

We believe innovation is a team effort. Across IAI, people bring deep knowledge, real experience, and a close understanding of complex challenges.

Our Innovation Center connects ideas across divisions, adds structure and support, and helps internal knowledge become practical solutions

LET'S INNOVATE

Open Innovation

We partner with startups that are building technologies with real potential. Through access to IAI’s experts, missions, and testing environments, we help strong ideas gain direction, validation, and momentum.

If your technology can make an impact, we can help take it further.

LET'S INNOVATE

Our Team

Eytan Eshel- BG (res.)

EVP Technology, innovation and R&D (CTO)

Brigadier General (Res.) Eytan Eshel is the Executive Vice President for Technology, Research & Development, and Innovation (CTO) at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

Full Bio

Lea Alon

Director of innovation & entrepreneurship, CTO HQ

Lea Alon is leading IAIs Innovation strategy both organic and Open Innovation. Managing the Innovation Center – an international accelerator, led close to 40 projects to reach an MVP

Full Bio

Alon Hoenig

Director of Dual use Technology & Business development ,CTO HQ

Alon Hoenig currently works under the CTO office at IAI, where he scouts for companies ranging from startups to large corporations with emerging technologies 

Full Bio

Have a groundbreaking idea? 

Let’s bring it to life together!

Leave a message below to connect with our team and explore how our accelerator can help you scale, innovate, and succeed!

Eytan Eshel- BG (res.)

EVP Technology, innovation and R&D (CTO)

Brigadier General (Res.) Eytan Eshel is the Executive Vice President for Technology, Research & Development, and Innovation (CTO) at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

Since 2021, Eshel has led IAI’s technological strategy, driving innovation, advancing R&D investments, and fostering collaborations with academic and research institutions worldwide. He also oversees the company’s Innovation Center and Space Incubator, which are central to IAI’s efforts in nurturing groundbreaking technologies for aerospace and defense applications.

Throughout his distinguished career, Eshel has been instrumental in shaping Israel’s defense innovation ecosystem. During his tenure as Head of Military R&D in Israel’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), he spearheaded large-scale technological initiatives and international collaborations, significantly enhancing Israel’s defense capabilities. His expertise extends to overseeing dual-use technologies that bridge defense and commercial applications, ensuring a robust and innovative technological foundation.

Before joining IAI, Eshel was Vice President at Elbit Systems, where he managed advanced technology portfolios, including Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I). In these roles, he gained valuable experience in aligning cutting-edge technologies with operational needs, contributing to his deep understanding of the global defense and aerospace industries.

Eshel holds a B.Sc. in Electronic Engineering and an MBA in Business Management, both from Tel Aviv University. His extensive leadership experience, coupled with his passion for technological advancement, positions him as a key force behind IAI’s commitment to driving innovation, fostering global partnerships, and maintaining technological leadership in the rapidly evolving aerospace sector.

Lea Alon

Director of innovation & entrepreneurship, CTO HQ

Lea holds an MBA, major in organization behavioral with excellence award. And BA in social Sciences. 

Lea Alon is leading IAIs Innovation strategy both organic and Open Innovation. Managing the Innovation Center – an international accelerator, led close to 40 projects to reach an MVP.  Established a Space Incubator – ASTRA, first ever established in Israel.  

Promoting collaborations with start-ups, the IDF, and academia – for joint projects in disruptive technologies. 

Lea also leads the corporate Knowledge Management field, as part of her responsibilities she leads the digital transformation in the divisions, and provide solutions for knowledge Centers for IAI. 

Lea has A lot of business experience, strategy development and experience in building and leading management change processes from previous companies where she worked and she applies her experience in her current role.

Alon Hoenig

Director of Dual use Technology & Business development ,CTO HQ

Alon Hoenig currently works under the CTO office at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), where he scouts for companies ranging from startups to large corporations with emerging technologies aligned with IAI’s technology vectors. Alon is responsible for engaging these companies and building commercial relationships to integrate their technologies into IAI products.

Previously, Alon was the CTO of IAI’s unmanned group, leading pioneering R&D projects in unmanned VTOLs and autonomous technology.

Alon also served in the IMOD DDR&D for over a decade, managing strategic radar and UAV programs.