Israel is a little country in land mass with a relatively small population that is only turning 75 years old next year. But, about a decade ago, a popularised book hit the shelves; from then on, Israel earned the nickname 'The Startup Nation,' and for a good reason: With a population of around 8.5 million, it has the highest number of startups per capita in the world.

These are the latest ideas from Israel, explained simply, that we are sharing thanks to the IdeaSpies Israeli Editor Jeremy Ungar.

1. Trusted Company Ideas for Financial Fraud Detection

Many crimes are typically committed for financial gain. The same applies to cybercrime which is being conducted more frequently for financial gain. Financial fraud incidences have increased in tandem with the enormous expansion in the usage of Mobile banking, Internet banking, Mobile Wallets, e-commerce, and online share trading. Israel is renowned for being a leader in Fintech innovation and cyber security. Also regarded as a “Start-up Nation” over the past three decades, she has been at the forefront of developing solutions that have improved the security of countries and even organizations. 

2. Some Israeli Ideas about the Future of Airports

We all know that Covid-19 dominated the past few years, which resulted in the aviation and travel industries hit the hardest, but it was also a time of introspection, improvements, and progress by the aviation, and most certainly, the airports industry.

So what ideas then does the startup-scaleup nation (Israel) offer in terms of customer experience to increase thoroughfare, make sure their rented retail spaces are profitable, and that you want to return to that airport as your preferred travel destination time and time again?

3. Israel, small on Earth, large in space tech!

In the Israel of the 1980’s, policymakers recognized and accepted that space related activities had the potential to contribute, not only to the Israeli economy and the country’s international standing, but also to the advancement of humanity in terms of research, agriculture, communications and the monitoring of environmental pollution.  As a result, The Israel Space Agency was founded by government in 1983 under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and given a mandate to initiate and coordinate all activities of a civilian space program. See some of the great Israeli solutions and companies that have arisen.

4. A new way to address the West’s ‘loneliness epidemic’

The state of New York will distribute Israeli robot companions to the homes of more than 800 older adults. The robots are not able to help with physical tasks, but function as more proactive versions of digital assistants like Siri or Alexa — engaging users in small talk, helping contact love ones, and keeping track of health goals like exercise and medication. Scientific studies suggest social robots do “appear to have the potential to improve the well-being of older adults,” but researchers say it’s hard to draw conclusions without wider trials. Should we trial it in Australia? 

5. Smart Walls and All - Israel Border Security Technology

Border security has increasingly become one of the most pressing issues within nations’ homeland security agencies. Though a controversial subject, there has been a consensus that borders must be secured humanely. A popular humanitarian solution has been the creation of smart walls. A smart wall is the use of technologies such as cameras, scanners, sensors, and radars used to prevent illicit entry, smuggling, and threats along borders... Besides Israel’s largest defense companies, there are several promising homeland security Israeli start-ups that specialize in smart wall solutions. Find out who they are and if they are relevant to your organisation.

6. Transforming Farming & Agribusiness

Israel has cultivated a legacy of agricultural innovation in the face of scarcity for many years. With advanced research, entrepreneurial farmers and technologists, and government support, the country has produced an Agritech sector that today numbers more than 500 globally oriented companies excelling in many different areas. Interest in technologies for agriculture will continue as farm management adopts data-driven agronomy. Digital imaging, sensors, and artificial intelligence platforms are set to change farming from precision to ‘predictive’ agriculture. From predictive agriculture to crop insurance, these Israeli firms are bringing technological innovation to modernize the agriculture industry. 

7. Innovating Towards a Better Planet

Israel is ranked first in the world for precision Agriculture. The historical innovation of Israeli water-tech has facilitated the development of Israel’s strength in precision Agriculture. Israel’s pre-existing strength in ICT, data mining and software, together with expertise in the fields of drones and satellites, enable the adaptation of existing technologies into innovative agricultural solutions such a soil mapping, smart irrigation and fertigation systems, and satellites for precision agriculture. Most importantly, precision agriculture increases agricultural productivity while optimizing farm management and the efficient use of water, pesticides, nutrients and other inputs. For the full article and list of companies.

8. Remember the Acronym - eVTOLs

t’s been a long and tiring workday. When 5pm finally rolls around, you’re ready to throw open the door, beat all possibility of traffic, and fly home. And in a few short years, you’ll likely have the chance to do that. Flying cars are the future and eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) are the next big thing in personal mobility. This week, the Israeli company AIR announced its partnership with Australian electric aircraft distributor, FlyOnE, to supply AIR’s first eVTOL aviation fleet to Australian consumers. I can't wait to try it out and share pictures on IdeaSpies.

9. World’s Most Innovative Digital Environments

What is considered one of the World’s most innovative digital environments? The semiconductors & high-tech ecosystem in Israel. A widely known semiconductor is silicon. Electronic components using semiconductors are called semiconductor devices, including the IC, which is an integrated circuit of transistors. Semiconductor devices mounted inside many electronics appliances are important electronic components that support our everyday lives. Israeli companies contribute their technological world of tomorrow in computer chips to popular applications such as in AI, computer vision, cybersecurity, smart sensors, blockchain and automation processes, which are helping to change the way products are manufactured, designed and marketed. 

10. The Future of Technology in Sports

New technologies such as big data analytics, cloud services, AI, wearables, and drones are just a few of the key technologies’ sports organizations are adopting when utilizing the Internet of Things. Ultimately, sports technology will make gameplay safer, more equitable, and potentially more profitable. And these goals are transforming the industry. Sports Tech solutions are suitable not only for athletes and coaches but also for fans. The new technology provides a more immersive and rich entertainment experience. Israel also has a thriving network of sports technology innovators. This is unexpected given the small domestic sports environment. 

See more Israeli ideas, explained simply, here