Tel Aviv, Israel – January 23, 2026 — Tel Aviv, 23 January 2026 – A innovative startup based in Tel Aviv has attracted substantial investment to embed advanced financial tools directly into Israel’s flagship Ayalon Highway expansion project. Hackney Investors, a London-based venture capital firm specialising in infrastructure technology, committed $150 million to the company on Thursday, enabling seamless integration of its fintech platform with the ongoing upgrades to Road 20, the nation’s busiest thoroughfare.
The Ayalon Highway, stretching 16 kilometres through central Tel Aviv, stands at 90% completion in its second segment, where engineers are adding an express toll lane to enhance traffic flow. This widening initiative, managed by Ayalon Highways with a budget exceeding $125 million, promises to alleviate longstanding congestion for the one million daily vehicles traversing the route. The startup’s platform introduces dynamic payment systems, real-time toll adjustments, and integrated mobility services, positioning the highway as a model for future smart infrastructure nationwide.
Founded in 2023 by Israeli entrepreneurs Michal Levy and Eitan Cohen, the startup emerged from Tel Aviv’s vibrant tech ecosystem. Its core offering streamlines transactions for drivers via mobile applications, incorporating features like predictive pricing based on traffic patterns and seamless payments for park-and-ride facilities. “This funding marks a pivotal step in transforming how commuters interact with urban highways,” said Levy in an exclusive interview. “By linking our platform to the Ayalon project, we empower users with tools that save time, reduce costs, and promote sustainable travel choices.”
Hackney Investors, known for backing projects that blend finance with public works, views the deal as a cornerstone of its Middle East portfolio. “The Ayalon expansion represents a rare opportunity to scale fintech solutions within a megaproject already delivering tangible benefits,” stated portfolio director Rachel Kensington. The $150 million infusion will fund platform development, pilot testing along the highway’s Glilot bridges – engineered spans up to 740 metres long with piers reaching 23 metres high – and expansion to connect with northern extensions like Shefayim.
This integration builds on proven successes in Israel’s fast lane model, first trialled on Road 1 since 2011. Those lanes maintain minimum speeds of 70 km/h through dynamic tolls, serving buses, ride-sharers, and solo drivers alike. Recent enhancements include five expansive park-and-ride lots, encouraging shifts from private cars to shuttles and public transport. The startup’s tools enhance this by offering personalised incentives, such as discounted tolls for carpoolers or rewards for off-peak travel, fostering greater efficiency.
Community leaders in Tel Aviv hailed the development as a boost for urban mobility. “Residents will experience smoother journeys and smarter financial options, strengthening the city’s role as a global innovation hub,” noted Gadi Yarkoni, head of a local business association. Early trials near the Glilot Junction, where balanced cantilever methods minimised disruptions during construction, demonstrated a 15% uptick in shuttle usage, underscoring the platform’s potential.
Looking ahead, the partnership aligns with broader national efforts, including northward links to Netivei Ayalon and connections to Road 531, set to reduce peak-hour delays across the Gush Dan region. By prioritising user-friendly fintech, the initiative supports economic growth, with projections estimating millions in annual savings from optimised traffic. Construction crews, employing advanced techniques for 11 interchanges and 36 bridges in related projects, continue to advance under tight timelines, now bolstered by digital finance layers.
The investment arrives amid rising demand for intelligent transport systems, as Tel Aviv grapples with population growth while advancing eco-conscious solutions. Features like bicycle path integrations and railway connectivity in new park-and-ride complexes will amplify the platform’s reach, benefiting thousands daily. Shapir Engineering, involved in similar concessions, emphasised the long-term value: “Upgraded assets like these serve generations, with private innovation driving public progress.”
This collaboration exemplifies how Tel Aviv’s startups are pioneering intersections of finance and infrastructure. As the Ayalon project nears full operation, the fintech platform promises to set benchmarks for congestion relief, financial accessibility, and commuter satisfaction, heralding a brighter era for Israel’s road networks.
(Word count: 752)
