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About
Orna Barbiv is an Israeli high-tech executive and venture capitalist who has served as CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) since 2020. The IIA is a government agency responsible for promoting technological innovation, supporting R&D, and fostering Israel's startup ecosystem. In this role, she oversees funding programs, policy development, and international collaborations to enhance Israel's position as a global innovation hub, with a leadership approach that emphasizes bridging academia, industry, and government to drive economic growth through technology.
Prior to her appointment at the IIA, Barbiv built a robust career in the tech sector. She began at Intel Israel in the 1980s, rising to senior roles including Director of Software Development, where she managed teams developing embedded systems and contributed to Intel's expansion in Israel. In 2005, she transitioned into venture capital as a partner at Gemini Israel Ventures, a leading VC firm, where she invested in over 20 startups with a focus on enterprise software, cybersecurity, and infrastructure technologies. Her investments included successful exits such as ClickTale and Via Transportation, demonstrating her expertise in identifying and nurturing high-potential tech ventures.
Barbiv holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Bar-Ilan University. She is recognized for her contributions to Israel's tech landscape and has spoken on topics including innovation policy and gender diversity in STEM fields, though she maintains a relatively low public profile outside professional circles.