“Le compte à rebours a commencé, affirme Israel Hayom. Dans un an environ, c’est un pays tout entier qui retiendra son souffle, et l’imagination de millions d’Israéliens prendra son envol.” Le voyage dans l’espace vers la Station spatiale internationale n’est pas le fait d’un individu isolé, écrit Kfir Damari, l’un des fondateurs de SpaceIL, l’entreprise qui a conçu la première sonde israélienne à destination de la Lune, en 2019, “c’est une mission nationale, une source d’inspiration pour les Israéliens”. “Des frontières seront brisées pour parvenir à des destinées nouvelles”, écrit-il.
Le quotidien Ha’Aretz signale qu’Eytan Stibbe va autofinancer son séjour de tout juste 200 heures dans l’espace pour la somme de 100 millions de shekels, soit environ 25 millions d’euros. Il fait partie d’un premier groupe de quatre astronautes privés de la société Axiom Space qui décollera pour la Station spatiale internationale. Ce vol, explique encore Ha’Aretz, marque une étape de la nouvelle stratégie de la Nasa, l’agence spatiale américaine : le transfert des activités spatiales proches de la Terre à des intérêts privés. Les journaux indiquent encore que Stibbe était un proche ami d’Ilan Ramon, le premier astronaute israélien, dont la courte carrière spatiale a pris fin de manière tragique avec l’explosion en 2003 de la navette spatiale Columbia. (Courrier International)
Stibbe has had many businesses over the years, he was indeed one of the establishers of LR, a company which implemented projects and established infrastructures in developing countries. The projects included setting up air and naval defence systems (which were developed by the Israeli defence technology companies Rafael and Elbit), operating cellular and satellite communications systems, setting up agricultural development projects, establishing youth villages and more. Stibbe’s primary role at LR was developing a funding apparatus for international projects in cooperation with international development banks and institutions.
Though, in 2011, he left LR and sold his share of the company (33%). In 2010, Stibbe established Vital Capital, the company invests in enterprises whose goal is to improve the economic, personal and social wellbeing of low- and middle-income communities. The fund’s investment strategy is to invest in companies whose intention is to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a competitive financial return. The companies must also firmly adhere to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, based on the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. Through these initiatives, millions of people have received essential services such as clean drinking water, electricity and healthcare services for the very first time. During its 10 years of operation, Vital Capital has won international acclaim as an opinion leader and a pioneer in the field of impact investment. As a trailblazer in this field, Stibbe is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) headquartered in Geneva.
