Defense

Our Mission

Defending Israel Through Innovation

To fast-track defense startups born on the battlefield, enable them to quickly reach product-market fit, and achieve deployment readiness for Israel and its allies

Who We Are

A first-of-its-kind defense-tech lab and pre-seed launchpad

Our team brings deep, cross-sector expertise, from elite IDF units and MAFAT to U.S. defense and early-stage tech.

The Sandbox was born in the chaos of October 7th—starting as a grassroots effort to bring aid to frontline units and quickly understanding the real needs in the Israeli defense space.

We partner directly with reserve soldiers to turn urgent battlefield needs into scalable startups. Today, we fast-track the tools, tech, and teams that save lives and strengthen Israel’s defense.

The Problem

Not Enough, Where It Matters Most

October 7th changed everything, and Israel shifted its focus to defense; MAFAT committed millions and startups surged, yet the top of the founder funnel is not properly supported.

We partner directly with reserve soldiers to turn urgent battlefield needs into scalable startups. Today, we fast-track the tools, tech, and teams that save lives and strengthen Israel’s defense.

300 defense startup

7700 other startups

Why Now

Why This Moment Matters

2x growth in defense-tech startups since October 7th

Massive new funding commitments from MAFAT and global VCs

Reserve soldiers are ready to build—if we give them the tools

The Sandbox

where operators become Founders

We help Israel’s top operators launch startups—from prototype to $1M+ funding.

Learn more

Shared Lab Infrastructure

Build, prototype, and test quickly—with access to the tools and tech you need from day one.

Strategic Partnerships

We fast-track you to the places that matter: Ministry of Defense validation, field testing, and real scaling partners.

Founder-First Approach

We were built by reserve soldiers, for reserve soldiers—because we know what it’s like to be in the field with a better solution in your head and no way to build it.

Traction

Momentum That Speaks for Itself

From grassroots beginnings to scalable impact, here’s what we’ve achieved so far.

AKORN

Missile alert system for platoons in enemy territory. Delivers real-time, localized warnings, no central infrastructure needed.

PARTNERS:

UNIT 81, EGOZ UNIT

NEGEV

Built upgrade for heavy machine gun mounted Infrared laser system to reduce system damage in the battlefield.

PARTNERS:

IDF GROUND FORCES WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT, UNIT 81, LOTAR

AIR FORCE INITIATIVE

Four laser system upgrades co-developed with Palmachim Airbase to boost precision and resilience in combat.

PARTNERS:

ISRAELI AIR FORCE – PALMACHIM AIRBASE

LASER COMMS (81 PROJECT)

Laser-based comms between drones and autonomous platforms in GPS-denied zones: key to next-gen navigation.

PARTNERS:

UNIT 81, MAFAT