At the Jerusalem Post 2026 New York Conference, Tsachi Namir, CEO of the Jerusalem Development Authority, challenged what he described as widespread misconceptions about Jerusalem’s high-tech sector, arguing that the city already hosts a far larger innovation ecosystem than commonly assumed.
His remarks were delivered during a panel titled “Innovation to Impact: Building Israel’s Next Economic Engine,” moderated by Dr. Efraim Chalamish, Prof. at NYU, Senior Advisor at Kroll, and International Media Commentator & Columnist. The session brought together senior Israeli economic figures to discuss growth, resilience, and innovation across sectors. “There is a nice exercise that I'm doing from time to time,” Namir told attendees. “I ask people, how many high-tech companies you know, established companies, and also start-ups, that are in Jerusalem. The real answer is there are more than 400 companies in Jerusalem.”
Namir spoke at length about the city’s academic and human capital base as a central driver of its tech growth, stating that there are more than 40,000 students currently residing and studying in Jerusalem, "A lot of them in the STEM and technology fields." He also noted that the Hebrew University is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide, alongside other engineering-focused institutions that contribute to the city’s innovation ecosystem. A significant portion of his remarks focused on Jerusalem's sweeping infrastructure revolution, led by mayor Moshe Leon, which Namir framed around three core pillars: transportation, employment, and housing.
He highlighted massive transportation upgrades, including the new light rail grid and the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem train line, as critical to boosting connectivity with Israel's economic core. Concurrently, he pointed to the development of major new commercial zones, specifically highlighting the Gav Yam Hebrew Park as well as the "Jerusalem Gateway" project at the city's entrance.
Crucially, Namir emphasized the third leg of this growth strategy: a major push for residential housing driven by extensive urban renewal initiatives. “In the past,” Namir noted, there was a severe shortage in these areas, which forced talented young people to leave the capital. With these comprehensive developments underway, he stated, “We expect now that a lot of young people will return to Jerusalem.”