'Abraham in Tech' Showcases Israeli, Moroccan and Emirati Innovation at VivaTech Paris

A joint pavilion titled "Abraham in Tech" brought 30 startups from Israel, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates to VivaTech 2026 in Paris, highlighting cross-border technology ties fostered under the Abraham Accords. The initiative, led by ELNET France, assembled 15 Israeli startups, 11 Moroccan firms and four Emirati companies in a single exhibition space to promote networking, business development and partnerships across sectors including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare, energy and green technology.

"We wanted to create a major diplomatic event centered around innovation," said Arié Bensemhoun, who led the initiative. "Abraham in Tech enables companies from different countries to meet, exchange ideas and build partnerships."

The pavilion was positioned as both a commercial showcase and a diplomatic experiment: organisers sought to demonstrate how economic and technological collaboration can strengthen ties between countries that established formal relations through the Abraham Accords. ELNET France, the French branch of the European Leadership Network, spearheaded the project and curated a cross-section of companies aimed at stimulating sustained dialogue and trade.

• Participants: 30 companies — 15 Israeli, 11 Moroccan, 4 Emirati.
• Lead organiser: ELNET France; initiative led by Arié Bensemhoun.
• Notable participant: Neologic, an Israeli company represented by CEO Avi Messica.

For exhibitors, the event was a practical opportunity to expand investor and partner networks. "The event offered an opportunity to connect with potential investors and strategic partners while expanding the company's international network," said Avi Messica of Neologic, underscoring the business-first emphasis of the pavilion.

Organisers and attendees highlighted receptive interactions despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. Maurice Lévy, co-founder of VivaTech, framed the gathering as part of a broader effort to use entrepreneurship as a bridge between nations: "Startups and entrepreneurs can play a meaningful role in building durable relationships between nations and advancing regional connectivity," he said.

Several Israeli entrepreneurs described a positive atmosphere. Sharon Erez-Shai, whose company was founded during the war, said the pavilion felt "welcoming and collaborative." Messica echoed that sentiment, adding he encountered "no hostility because of his Israeli identity" and observed strong interest in cooperation among attendees. The presence of municipal and economic development representatives also signalled official interest in promoting cross-border commerce: Michal Michaeli, director of international economic development for the Tel Aviv Municipality, noted Tel Aviv's continued standing as a global innovation hub and a major destination for entrepreneurs and investors.

Beyond immediate networking, organisers argued the pavilion sends a symbolic message: joint ventures and technological ties can help foster longer-term cooperation between peoples across the region. The exhibition covered multiple domains — from AI and cybersecurity to health and green tech — providing numerous pathways for follow-on deals, pilot projects and exchange programmes among the three countries.

Outlook

Organisers plan to leverage the momentum from VivaTech to sustain links formed at the pavilion, inviting follow-up meetings, investor introductions and bilateral initiatives. If commercial engagement continues to outpace political frictions, participants hope "Abraham in Tech" will evolve into a recurring platform for cross-border R&D, market entry and scalable collaboration across the Mediterranean and Gulf technology ecosystems.