OpImpact's Brig. Gen. (Res.) Eden Attias and Eli Friedman hosted leading investors in New York City, together with strategic partner Al Liwan Group from Abu Dhabi. The discussion explored how AI, autonomy, and dual-use technologies are reshaping modern defense and creating new investment opportunities. As defense budgets and private capital continue to rise, investors gained firsthand insights into the trends and startups defining the next generation of DefenseTech.

In this thought leadership article published in AeroDefense Outlook, Eden Attias argues that the next breakthrough in Defense AI depends as much on hardware as software. While AI capabilities are advancing rapidly, UAV performance remains constrained by endurance, power, heat, and modularity. He calls for a shift toward hybrid, open-architecture platforms that enable persistent edge AI, concluding that future defense leaders will be those who successfully integrate advanced software with resilient, scalable hardware.

At Israel Tech Week in Miami, OpImpact joined industry leaders on the "Deep Tech as the New Frontier" panel to discuss scaling and deploying deep tech across energy, infrastructure, and national security. OpImpact bridges the gap between innovation and commercialization by advancing startups to TRL 6+ alongside Prime contractors. This approach shortens development cycles, accelerates time to revenue, and often turns Prime contractors from technology validators into the startup's first paying customer.

Everyone in defense is talking about AI models, but the real question is who orchestrates them. Anduril’s Lattice AI system, contracted by the US Army, provides the orchestration layer that connects sensors and effectors into a unified real-time operational picture with autonomous tasking. For OpImpact, the key thesis is that future defense value will come from interoperability, not models. Speed asymmetry is decisive when machine decision loops outpace human ones. This orchestration layer also maps into dual-use enterprise systems, creating durable, defensible value.

Behind the headlines of the Iran conflict, a deeper convergence is shaping global security. At a Miami Beach investor event titled “Two Allies. One Front,” we explored the integration of Israeli and American forces, combining human coordination with advanced defense technologies. With record defense spending and rising venture capital into DefenseTech, global capital is pivoting toward security innovation. OpImpact continues to invest in technologies driving this allied operational and technological convergence.

We are proud to announce that Eli Friedman has joined OpImpact as a Partner. Eli brings 30 years of experience across IDF Navy command, Israeli Ministry of Defense R&D leadership, and innovation roles at Elbit Systems. He offers a rare end-to-end perspective on defense technology, from operational needs to procurement and scaling. He has also advised and served on boards of multiple deep-tech ventures. At OpImpact, he will strengthen investment strategy, partnerships, and support founders building next-generation defense technologies.

The “First AI War” reflects today’s battlefield reality, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth. Air defense, intelligence, robotics, and maritime systems are rapidly evolving through AI adoption in active conflict. Our portfolio company FlyWorks develops hybrid drones enabling field deployment of AI systems, shifting from civil to defense use. Partnerships with defense primes such as Elbit Systems Israel accelerate integration and access to elite startups. OpImpact backs AI-native, dual-use companies shaping next-generation defense.

Eden Attias was joined by Michael Gale, CEO of Abu Dhabi based Al Liwan Group, for a TV interview on Israel’s Economy Channel 10. We discussed the structural shift in defense toward faster, scalable, and cost-efficient deployment, driven by rising budgets and urgency. Investor models are evolving, with new players focused on regulation, geopolitics, and industrial scale execution. We also addressed AI’s impact on warfare and demanding higher standards of data and model quality.

DefenseTech is way beyond being a niche sector. In 2025, venture funding reached a record $49.1 billion, reflecting a major shift in investor priorities. Defense contracts provide real-world validation, early revenue, and reduced risk, making them powerful growth accelerators. As governments accelerate demand for AI, cyber, autonomous systems, and resilience technologies, sophisticated investors increasingly view defense as a gateway to broader commercial success.