For Elliott Broidy, the morning of September 11, 2001, began like any other. But by the end of that fateful day, the course of his life had shifted irrevocably.
“I remember watching the towers fall and feeling this overwhelming sense of helplessness,” Broidy recalls. “That feeling of vulnerability was profoundly frightening. I knew I had to do something – something meaningful that could help protect people.”
Photo Caption: Elliott Broidy
Broidy is a serial entrepreneur who has founded, invested in, and, in some cases, managed as CEO, more than 160 companies, mostly focused on defense, national security, or law enforcement.
Those weren’t Broidy’s original interests. But 9/11 was the catalyst for a new sense of urgency and purpose.
“I started researching, reading everything I could about counterterrorism, defense strategies, and technological gaps,” Broidy explains. “I wanted to be part of the solution.”
Broidy’s commitment to national security extended beyond the borders of the United States. At the time of the 9/11 attacks, another country was at the forefront of his thoughts – Israel, which was enduring the Second Intifada, a brutal wave of terrorist attacks that claimed thousands of lives. During the Second Intifada, buses, cafes, nightclubs, and even a Passover Seder became targets of suicide bombings and mass violence.
“Israel has always faced an existential threat,” Broidy says. “It has not known one day of peace in its entire existence. I saw the parallels between what happened in the United States on 9/11 and what Israel – our close ally – was dealing with on a near-daily basis. The idea of developing technology that could help save lives in both countries – that resonated deeply with me.”
In 2003, Broidy realized that, because of the violence and instability brought about the Second Intifada, Israel was facing a substantial reduction in foreign direct investment. In response, he founded Markstone Capital Partners, LLC, an $800 million fund invested almost exclusively in non-high-tech companies in Israel. Broidy wanted to demonstrate his commitment to the Israeli people and show that mass murderers should not be allowed to dictate the lives and futures of the country.
He vividly remembers a trip to Tel Aviv in 2005, where he met with victims of terrorist attacks and their families. “Hearing their stories made it even more personal. It’s one thing to read about these tragedies, but to sit across from someone who lost their loved one in a suicide bombing – it’s something you don’t forget,” he reflects.
For Broidy, the drive to innovate is fueled by these human connections. “Technology is important, but at the end of the day, it’s about protecting lives and preserving freedom. That’s the real mission.”
In the years that followed, Broidy founded and scaled several companies specializing in defense and law enforcement technology, from advanced surveillance systems to AI-driven threat detection platforms.
Broidy’s support for Israel, especially in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks of October 7th, also has inspired his dedication to combating antisemitism and to donating to more than 100 Jewish organizations and think tanks that focus on counterterrorism.
Today, his companies continue to push the envelope, developing solutions that enhance the safety and security of allied nations. “I’m proud of what we’ve built, but there’s always more to do. As long as threats evolve, so must our technology and our commitment to staying ahead.”
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the defense space, Broidy’s answer is simple: “Find your ‘why’ and let it guide you. For me, it was 9/11. For others, it might be something else. But if you’re driven by a genuine purpose, the work will always matter.”