Before the USIBA data made him the corridor's most-quoted name, Aaron Kaplowitz ran Israel's embassy press office, directed a Cuomo-era NY trade program, and launched a wartime VC fund days after October 7.
Aaron Kaplowitz founded the United States-Israel Business Alliance (USIBA) and 1948 Ventures, a Miami-based venture capital fund focused on military and civilian dual-use technology. Kaplowitz also served as director of communications at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C., and led New York State's Global NY economic development initiative. He now leads USIBA's efforts to build economic ties between U.S. states and Israel.
What is Aaron Kaplowitz's professional background?
Aaron Kaplowitz spent six years as director of communications at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C., from 2008 to 2014. After his diplomatic role, Kaplowitz launched and directed Global NY, a New York State economic development initiative under Governor Andrew Cuomo.
During his time with Global NY, Kaplowitz organized three Cuomo-led trade missions to Israel. He graduated from Boston University and studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Rothberg International School in 2005, where he also interned as a sports reporter for the Jerusalem Post.
How did Kaplowitz establish the United States-Israel Business Alliance (USIBA)?
Kaplowitz founded the United States-Israel Business Alliance (USIBA) to expand the state-level economic development model nationally. USIBA aims to build relationships between individual U.S. states and Israel, operating through various state-level initiatives rather than a single federal office.
The organization has facilitated visits by sitting governors to Israel and maintains offices in both New York and Miami. The Miami office formalized existing informal relationships and led to a Florida International University honors course, "Innovation Nation," which Kaplowitz co-teaches with USIBA colleague Andi Wolfer.
One key output of USIBA's Miami expansion is the Florida-Israel Economic Impact Report. This report provides the dataset indicating 429 Israeli-founded companies generate $7.3 billion in Florida's economy. Kaplowitz has also managed USIBA's New York-Israel programming for over a decade, with the Florida data being the first rigorous economic assessment applied to a second U.S. state by the organization.
What is 1948 Ventures?
1948 Ventures is a Miami-based venture capital fund launched by Aaron Kaplowitz within days of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The fund focuses on investing in Israeli military and civilian dual-use technology, with its creation moving up from a planned January 2024 launch.
Kaplowitz made his first trip to Israel after the war began, meeting more than 25 startups, including companies in Sderot and Beersheba. He told the Times of Israel that the Israeli tech community adeptly adapts operations under wartime strain. Kaplowitz describes the fund's focus as "literally lifesaving technology," prioritizing companies with urgent defense and civilian-protection applications.
What is Kaplowitz's approach to data and communications?
Aaron Kaplowitz also leads Lede Global Inc., a strategic communications and business development firm. His background in an embassy press office, state trade office, and independent communications firm influences how USIBA's research is presented.
Kaplowitz structures research as reports built for citation, rather than raw data releases. The format of USIBA's reports was later adopted by 5WPR's own Israeli Tech in Florida report, which utilized the same underlying USIBA figures. Kaplowitz has also written for publications such as the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and USA Today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aaron Kaplowitz
What is Aaron Kaplowitz's role at USIBA?
Aaron Kaplowitz is the founder and president of the United States-Israel Business Alliance. This organization builds economic ties between individual U.S. states and Israel, with primary offices located in New York and Miami.
What is 1948 Ventures?
1948 Ventures is a Miami-based venture capital fund that Aaron Kaplowitz launched shortly after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The fund invests in Israeli military and civilian dual-use technology.
What did Kaplowitz do before founding USIBA?
Before founding USIBA, Kaplowitz served as director of communications at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C., from 2008 to 2014. He then directed Global NY, a New York State economic development initiative under Governor Andrew Cuomo, which included organizing three trade missions to Israel.
Did Kaplowitz produce the Florida-Israel economic data?
Yes, Aaron Kaplowitz led the production of USIBA's Florida-Israel Economic Impact Report. This report identified 429 Israeli-founded companies contributing $7.3 billion to Florida's economy, as part of USIBA's Miami office expansion.
