Women make up just a third of high-tech employees in Israel

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Women make up 34 percent of the high-tech workforce in Israel, an increase of just 0.4 percent from 2021, Israeli startup Power in Diversity’s Ecosystem Diversity Report has revealed.

Despite high demand for talent and broad recruiting efforts in the first half of 2022, there have also been only slight improvements in the number of women in management positions, with 24 per cent of women holding management positions according to the report, with a increase of 0.6% from 2021. The percentage of women in technology positions is 27.8%.

Power in Diversity publishes the report on the diversity of the Israeli startup’s ecosystem for the second consecutive year. For the first time, it included numbers showing representation of both Ultra-Orthodox and Arab individuals as well as women. This report is the result of an analysis based on data collected from 650 venture-funded Israeli companies active with more than 50 employees in the country.

PID was founded by Alan Feld, a partner at Vintage Investment Partners, and Kobi Samburksy and Shamri Dahan are co-chairs of the initiative. Additional VCs supporting the initiative include Pitango, Viola, Vintage, Qumra, Glilot, NFX, SVB, Elah Fund, Maor Investments, ReD Dot, DTCP, Grove, BRM, New Era, F2, 10D, Hetz Ventures, Hearst and others .

The study also examined the status of Arabs and ultra-Orthodox in the startup ecosystem. Despite the fact that Arabs make up 20% of Israel’s population, they account for only 0.2% of the startup industry. In the traditional tech industry they hold about 2-3 percent share. About 16% of Israeli Arabs hold a degree in STEM fields.

It is estimated that only 0.4% of employees in startups are ultra-Orthodox. Most of them are women.

This year’s report also included a list of the top five publicly traded diversified companies in the local ecosystem. Riskified led the way, followed by Payoneer, Outbrain, Fiverr and monday.com.

Minute Media, Yotpo and HiBob have pioneered startups with over 500 employees; Tailor Brands, Syte and Zencity, were the top three companies with between 100 and 500 employees; while Phone.do, Darrow and RiseUp were the best among companies with between 50 and 100 employees.

“Especially these days, the discourse on inclusion, equality and acceptance should serve as a cornerstone in the conduct of all of us, especially companies in the high-tech sector, which is a source of innovation and progress,” he said Shahar Silis, the CEO of Power in Diversity. In the joint process of the initiative with companies, we have repeatedly demonstrated that a diversified company has a direct impact on profitability, growth and success. Companies that emphasize a sound organizational culture they are more stable companies that can deal with uncertainty more effectively. In the current climate, this is a significant plus. Those who formulate a growth strategy based on DEI tools and exposure to diverse populations will reap the rewards as the market recovers and hits the next stronger peak.”

Kobi Samboursky, co-chairman of PID and founding partner of Glilot Capital Partners, added: “2023 will not be an easy year for startups. After years of market growth, we are seeing cross-sector layoffs and uncertain conditions. like these we should target misrepresented populations, as they are likely to suffer more harm.

Sivan Shamri Dahan, co-chairman of PID and Managing Partner of the capital Qumra, echoed a similar sentiment: “In this highly challenging political climate, where the country’s social and financial achievements are at risk, the high-tech sector, that is the engine of the economy must fully commit to embracing women in the sector Changes occur over time and we are implementing a phased plan with the aim of achieving full gender parity in employment and women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, we should make ultra-Orthodox and Arab women, who still make up a small part of our industry, our next target.”

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