Liad Agmon, Founder of Sunsay: Israel’s IT Market is Losing Its Edge

Renowned entrepreneur, founder of Dynamic Yield, and former partner at Insight Partners Liad Agmon has once again moved to the center of attention within the Israeli tech community. In a recent speech and a series of publications, Agmon voiced a harsh forecast regarding the competitiveness of the Israeli labor market.

The primary cause of the resonance was Agmon’s admission that, within his new startup Sunsay, he is forced to prioritize hiring employees outside of Israel. The entrepreneur argued that the combination of a strong shekel and the ever-growing salary expectations of local specialists makes in-country development economically inefficient. According to him, the cost of an experienced engineer in Israel now stands at approximately $170,000 per year, whereas in Europe (e.g., Portugal), a specialist of a similar level can be hired for $100,000.

Agmon emphasized that while the uniqueness of Israeli talent previously justified any expense, in 2026, amidst the globalization of remote work and the rapid development of AI tools, this price gap is becoming critical. He warned that Israel risks facing a mass exodus of R&D centers to more affordable locations if government policy and the market do not adapt to the new realities of the “post-hype” economy.

Beyond his professional statements, interest in Agmon is fueled by his active social media presence, where he directly criticizes the government’s economic course. His words have sparked a heated reaction: ranging from support by other founders facing budget constraints to sharp criticism from those who view such statements as a blow to the image of the “Startup Nation.” At present, Liad Agmon remains one of the most influential voices in the industry, with forecasts that are closely watched by investors and rank-and-file tech workers alike.

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