Liran Cohen, 35, was inspired to go into the security and defense sector after losing his mother in a terrorist bombing in Afula in 1994. She was killed by a piece of shrapnel.
"She died a needless death, and that made me realize that I want to go into the defense and security field. When I help one soldier, one family, I feel good about myself. I lost something I wasn't supposed to lose," Cohen says.
After completing degrees in nonscientific areas – humanities and business administration – Cohen began creating products to help protect security forces and civilians. He founded T9 Design and opened a factory in Raanana, where he manufactures tactical textiles for the IDF as well as various other safety technology. Most of his company's products are designed for the military and made available for civilian use after a certain amount of time.
"Today, we're the second-biggest company in the field of tactical operational solutions. Everything is made in Israel. My life story led me to take pride in what I do, with my own two hands."
This past year, Cohen has expanded his horizons and begun working on a way of combatting agricultural terrorism. He came up with anti-theft fake rocks. His company sends teams to sample the ground in a given field, and based on the rocks or fauna they find, build similar rocks, fake trees, or bushes that include hidden cameras and surveillance equipment, as well as motion sensors and alarms.
The security rocks were originally developed for use by the IDF and the Defense Ministry. Each system takes up to 45 days to manufacture. Once in place, the systems can track suspects' cars; groups of vandals who operate at night; and spot invasive animals. The company is now making the technology available to farmers to help them combat agricultural crime.
"The thieves have learned to avoid cameras," Cohen explains. "We created a platform that will provide farmers with a concealed solution to the plague of agricultural crime. The new development will be the farmers' eyes in the field and allow them to set up defenses and concealed surveillance."
