Barak Finkelshtein

Mainly on my channel, Focus Point, I explain how and what to do for reaching success. Now it's time for practical cases! Very soon, there will be an interview on the channel with Nadav Shoval, CEO and founder of OpenWeb, our first Israeli unicorn. We invested in this company at an early stage, and today it is a leader in its industry. Nadav talked about his story and views, shared how he managed to achieve such impressive results. I'm sure the OpenWeb case will be useful to many, especially those interested in learning how to set goals and achieve success, even for established players. To not miss out, subscribe to my channel. Link in the comments.

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🎯 With Swiftads, creating interactive ads has never been easier! 🚀 Seamlessly design and submit your ads to Israel's top media, all in one simple system. Elevate your brand’s reach and engagement today with Swiftads! 📈 #Swiftads 

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Former NBA player Omri Casspi has raised $60 million in seed capital to invest in early-stage startups and companies founded by Israeli serial entrepreneurs developing technologies in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. - by Frederic Eger/Sharon Wrobel/TOI - Photo: Then Memphis Grizzlies forward Omri Casspi in action during an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, December 2, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP/Matt Slocum) Swish Ventures is Casspi's second seed venture capital fund after stepping onto the court of tech investments two years ago following his retirement from professional basketball as the first Israeli player to break through in the NBA. The new fund hopes to invest $5 million to $7 million in about 10 startups each. Among Swish’s investors are venture capital fund Sequoia, Israeli and US institutional investors, and more than 25 serial entrepreneurs, including EON founder Ophir Ehrlich, PointFive founder Gal Ben-David, Upwind co-founder Amiram Shachar, Granulate (sold to Intel) co-founder Asaf Ezra, and Armis founders Yevgeny Dibrov and Nadir Izrael. The fund manages a total of $125 million in assets. Casspi said the new fund received $172 million in commitments from investors despite launching during a challenging period in which Israel remains entangled in a multi-front war. He said the new fund received $172 million in commitments from investors — though he decided not to expand the size of the financing round. In November last year, about a month after war broke out with the Hamas terror group, Casspi put his own money in the game to help bring tech billionaire Elon Musk to Israel. During the visit, Musk met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog and toured Gaza border communities ravaged by the Hamas terror group’s devastating onslaught on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Casspi emphasized that the visit shows how the “high-tech sector serves as an ambassador for Israel during these challenging times.” He also partnered with Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta and a board member of some of the largest companies in the US, to expose facts about Hamas’s crimes that she has shared worldwide. Through the industry’s network, they had the privilege of participating in raising significant donations for the rehabilitation of communities in the Gaza perimeter. Investors are showing resilience in the tech ecosystem, despite concerns following the October 7 attack. The amount of capital directed towards Israel is likely higher than ever, with international firms leading 40 seed rounds in 2024. Tal Brody, a former captain of Israel's national basketball team and a senior adviser at Cukierman & Co., is serving as Israel's ambassador of goodwill. The tech ecosystem's response and resilience have been surprising, and the former captain of Israel's national basketball team is following in the footsteps of other athletes.

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🤔 So… what’s on the agenda for Content Israel 2024? Our schedule is packed full of every content-related topic under the Israeli sun! 👉 We’ll be covering how to create compelling content, distribute it effectively, and measure its success. Our speakers will also address challenges like content saturation and maintaining brand integrity, all in the context of a fast-evolving marketing landscape. Take a look at the schedule and tell us: which session are you looking forward to most?? 👉 Everwall and giveaway - post about the event and make your way onto the Everwall for a chance to win 3 grand prizes from our partner ZoecialMedia - Organic Social Media for Tech Brands 🏆🏆🏆 😱 Wait, you haven’t even registered yet? Over 250 people have already signed up and tickets are limited! Now’s the time!! And we have a discount code too. Use code IA25 for 25% off your ticket >> https://contentisrael.com/ #ContentIsrael #ContentMarketing #DigitalMarketing #Marketing

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Tel Aviv Startups Shine on TIME's 200 Best Inventions of 2024 List In a remarkable achievement, four innovative Tel Avivian startups have been included to TIME Magazine’s prestigious list of the 200 Best Inventions of 2024. Groundbreaking companies represent Israel’s leadership in the global innovation landscape, with nine Israeli startups in total making the list. The following Tel Aviv-based companies have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to technology and sustainability. They represent Tel Aviv’s vibrant tech ecosystem, where innovative ideas thrive and change the world. As the city continues to push the boundaries of technology and creativity, it’s clear: Tel Aviv ideas are reshaping industries and impacting lives globally, with many of these startups driving innovation in AI, a cornerstone of the city’s tech landscape.    1. BeeHero – In response to the global decline in bee populations, BeeHero’s hive-monitoring technology provides vital insights into bee health and activity, ensuring efficient crop pollination and supporting global agriculture. Their technology addresses environmental stress factors, helping safeguard biodiversity​.    2. UVeye – Revolutionizing vehicle inspections, UVeye uses AI-driven technology to detect mechanical issues and enhance security checks. Their system automates inspections, ensuring faster and more accurate evaluations across industries, from automotive to homeland security​.    3. Aporia – Specializing in AI observability, Aporia offers an advanced platform for monitoring machine learning models. Their technology allows data scientists to track model performance and detect issues early, ensuring more reliable and effective AI applications​    4. D-ID – D-ID brings human-like interactions to digital environments with their generative AI and 3D modeling technology. By creating lifelike digital agents, they enhance customer service experiences, making AI interactions more engaging and personalized​ For further details, visit TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2024​. ABOUT TEL AVIV GLOBAL & TOURISM Tel Aviv Global & Tourism is a municipal company operating under the Tel Aviv-Yafo Mayor's Office. Its mission is to promote the city's international brand, driving economic growth and tourism in a way that benefits local residents and businesses. Established as part of the Mayor’s vision, the company collaborates with various municipal departments and cultural organizations to enhance the city's global presence and appeal. Media contact: Dolev Juli Head of International Press Tel Aviv Global & Tourism Mayor's Office, Tel Aviv-Yafo

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There is something very special about monday.com, ironSource, Yotpo, Lemonade, Fiverr, Playtika, and the other B2B startups that were founded in the early 2000s. They built the playbook that the current Israeli startup ecosystem stands on. I would love to interview these founders: Eran Zinman & Roy Mann CEO monday.com Tomer Tagrin. CEO Yotpo Tomer Bar-Zeev CEO ironSource Micha Kaufman ceo Fiverr Daniel Schreiber CEO Lemonade Or any founders that built from the early 2000s and still building. If someone can make an intro or ask them directly to come on the Founder StorieZ Podcast I would greatly appreciate it 🙏

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You chance to launch a product during an event from Scalehub! Maximize awareness in tech community Get real feedback from other founders and experienced executives

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🚀 Meet the Founders of Elit AI: The Visionaries Leading the Future of AI Innovation 🚀 We are thrilled to introduce the dynamic team behind Elit AI! Each founder brings a unique set of skills and expertise, combining their diverse backgrounds to drive our mission forward. Let’s get to know them: 1. Lim Kean Hoe - CEO: An experienced entrepreneur in the recond car industry and former Business Unit Director at a leading Pharma MNC, Kean Hoe is the strategic mind steering Elit AI towards groundbreaking success. 🌟 2. Steve Yoong - COO: A marketing funnel expert and former Business Manager at a Pharma MNC, Steve’s deep understanding of business strategy and marketing is instrumental in scaling our operations and reaching new heights. 📈 3. David Hooi - Commercial Lead: A seasoned content creator and AI trainer, David is our commercial lead, leveraging his experience as a former Sales Director in Pharma to build impactful content and sales strategies. 🎯 4. Alvin Lim - CTO: An Electrical and Electronics engineer by training, Alvin is the tech genius behind our AI innovations, ensuring that our technology is cutting-edge and future-ready. 🧠 5. Alex Lim - Business Development: A born entrepreneur who founded three businesses by the age of 25, Alex brings a strong background in tech sales and marketing, driving our business development efforts with passion and creativity. 🌐 Together, these leaders are paving the way for a new era of AI solutions. Stay tuned as we continue to innovate and redefine the future of business! 🌟 #ElitAI #AIInnovation #MeetTheFounders #Leadership #FutureReady

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Amazing news for Israel, but maybe not so great news for the Israeli tech scene? Ilya Sutskever Raises $1 Billion for his New AI Venture! Bottom Line: Ilia Sutskever, one of OpenAI’s co-founders, has raised $1 billion for his new company, which aims to develop Super-Intelligence—an AI that can outperform human cognitive tasks with much (much) greater intelligence and efficiency. Just three months after announcing his new venture—Safe SuperIntelligence (which I wrote about previously) — it was revealed just a few days ago that Sutskever, a former Israeli and one of the brightest minds in the industry, has secured $1 billion at a $5 billion valuation. The funding round, of course, includes some of the most renowned investors in the world (Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and others). Sutskever founded the venture alongside @Daniel Levy, who worked with him at OpenAI, and investor @Daniel Gross. Pay attention to the word *Safe* in the company's name—it’s a core part of the mission these entrepreneurs have set for themselves. Sutskever says the company is laser-focused on one goal: creating the "holy grail" of AI research—Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—which would be capable of performing any cognitive process humans can, including language processing, voice recognition, vision, understanding context, decision-making, and more. You can check out their minimalist website for more about their mission. Great news for Israel: The development center will be based both in Israel and Palo Alto. Slightly less great news for the local tech scene: A well-funded company is about to recruit top researchers, scientists, and developers locally.  Bigger picture — this is a big wow for all of us here in Israel. Israeli researchers - new job opportunities will soon be posted! #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AGI #SuperIntelligence #IsraelTech

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Steve Jobs' Legacy vs. Apple Today: Would He Agree? As Apple faces allegations of sending employee donations to organizations with ties to the Israeli army and illegal settlements, one must ask: Would Steve Jobs, the visionary who revolutionized technology, stand by Apple's current actions? A recent report revealed that Apple fully covers wages for employees who go to serve in the Israeli military, directly supporting the atrocities taking place in Gaza. These donations reportedly fund military activities and illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, despite Apple's stated commitment to human rights. With accusations of human rights violations, including torture and extrajudicial killings against Palestinians, Apple’s actions stand in stark contrast to the values Jobs championed. Would Jobs have allowed his company to perpetuate such horrors, or would he have used his platform for justice and compassion? It's time to reflect: How did we go from innovation and humanity to enabling genocide? #Apple #SteveJobs #CorporateAccountability #HumanRights #BoycottApple #WarCrimes #FreePalestine #EndApartheid https://lnkd.in/gBj-Wnbm __________________      ____________________    __________________ ENTITY (noun): A force or organization so devoid of humanity that it systematically commits atrocities and hides behind shallow justifications, a symbol of destruction, violence, and pure evil that must be eradicated from the human collective. DO NOT ask me again if I condemned October 7th!!! #BlockTheEmbassies United Nations International Criminal Court International Court of Justice (ICJ) INTERPOL United Nations Office at Geneva World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

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Tel-aviv has improved its position among the top startup ecosystems worldwide according to Startup Genome's 2024 report (https://lnkd.in/dN3aUa_h). What a powerful evidence of Israeli startup and innovation environment's resilience and the unshaken trust of the global investor community. The Israeli high-tech sector remains to be the engine of the nation’s economy, accounting for 18% of GDP, 48% of exports, and 11% of workforce. At Tachles VC we are proud we can back the next generation of cyber, cloud and infrastructure AI Israeli-born start-ups. Karel Tušek, Sivan Kanev, Boris Chovnik, Robin Bienfait

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Over the past decade, I have reviewed over 1,000 cv's in search for the best team members to join our team. I see a lot of people in Israel in need of jobs these days so sharing some tips from my experience as a manager and Organizational Psychologist that I hope can be helpful. If you have any questions or additional insights, please feel free to comment below or pm me. I divided the job-seeking journey into 4 stages: 1. Self-reflection 2. CV building 3. Networking 4. “Dating” your future boss In this post I will cover some pointers for the first 3 stages. Next post will cover pointers for the last stage. *Self-reflection* 1. Self-reflection and understanding what you are good at and what you are passionate about. 2. Who are you - Need to be able to answer this in 2-3 lines at the top of the CV. Are you a manager and looking to be in a leadership role or more of a hands-on executive? Is your focus marketing/sales/coding/project management? Pro tip: Ask your friends to be honest with you and share the value they see you bring. It will crystalize your own view as well. *CV and LinkedIn profile* 1. CV building - how does your future boss know you are great at what you do? What success and impact did you have that you can articulate with numbers? 2. The design is great. But the most important is the content. Make sure clear description in the header what you do and keep it short, with bullet points and a 1-pager. Make sure no mistakes. If there is even 1 typo, it is a no-go. 3. Passion talks. Years ago I hired a young man with very little experience because he came with great passion and told me how he taught himself code at age 11. See how you can find that story that highlights your greatness. *Networking* 1. Networking and asking friends for an intro or to put in a good word. Identify 10 people you will have coffee with to brainstorm your career. Some will give you great advice. Others will give you a good lead. 2. Don't only think about networking with those who can give you the job today but rather with those who know people that can help you. 3. The best way to build trust is to show your work in action. I once hired someone because he reached out and explained to me in a loom video why one of my client websites stinked and how that can be fixed. He didn't tell me what he does but showed me. What tips have you found as a manager that you would give future employees?

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#Israel's #investment landscape in Q1 2024 is growing compared to Q3. Despite the current challenges in Israel, #startups are proving again to be #resilient as they continue to raise money and grow. Israel's decrease in investments is in par with that of the US in 2023. Read more about Israel's investment landscape and about ICI Fund's portfolio companies in ICI Fund's May newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dBnXWYcK #Startupnation will always stay #resilient, #nomatterwhat.

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Is the Israeli business community truly ready for high-achieving Haredi professionals to take leadership roles in the tech ecosystem? We are, as Safra-Tech’s mission is to integrate Haredi professionals into the tech ecosystem, with a focus on #entrepreneurship and #startups We're not merely asking how we can slot Haredi workers into low-level roles… we're asking a far more ambitious question: How can we make Haredi society a key stakeholder in the tech ecosystem? It’s not about individual Haredi employees entering the tech world… it’s about a shift in Israeli society’s perspective, becoming key influencers and decision-makers, and having the ability to progress, to secure better jobs, and to make a real impact This is a wake-up call, not just for Haredi society, but also for the wider Israeli business community. As an example, the current #VC scene (which drives tech) in Israel is centralized, steeped in a Tel Aviv culture that brings with it its own mindset and politics To effect real change, we need to alter the landscape itself Aside from giving it lip service, does Israeli society truly want integration? Is the business sector ready for Haredi professionals to become C-level executives, managers, and policy influencers? If the answer is no, then we need to ask ourselves why… Why are we content with Haredi employees occupying low-level roles, but not decision-making positions? To catalyze progress, we need outside investors who understand the need for change, who are willing to provide the financial backing necessary to make this vision a reality. This cannot be left to the same players who have dominated the scene so far. They are too dependent on the status quo, and too concerned with their own well-being… Let's work to make Haredi society an integral part of the tech ecosystem at all levels If you’re interested in joining us in reshaping the tech ecosystem, reach out to me directly to learn more! #startupnation #venturecapital #thoughtleadership

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These are the 15 Israeli growth stage startups that have grown fastest in the past 6 months. All these companies are in the 151 to 500 employee category. The data is based on headcount data that we collect at Aption and is one data point that feeds our company insights and #EquityPooling clustering models Unsurprisingly a lot of cyber, dev ops and deep tech names here #1 daily.dev at 491% growth 🚀 🚀 #2 Port IO at 220% 🚀 #3 Particula at 120% 🔥 #4 Exodigo at 97% #5 Tailor Brands at 60% #6 Cyera at 55% #7 Hello Heart at 51% #8 Anyword at 50% #9 Candex at 39% #10 Pinecone at 39% #11 Paragon at 36% #12 Silverfort at 33% #13 Jones Software at 30% #14 Fullpath at 29% #15 Atera at 27%

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Emotions are running high as we are just seven days away from Content Israel 2024, the largest digital and content marketing conference in Israel happening on 3rd July. 😀 We are proud to be one of the partners for this incredible event as they're bringing together the top content marketing gurus in Israel to reveal their tried-and-true strategies for: - Elevating your brand's unique voice - Crafting content that strikes a chord with your audience - Driving real, measurable results It's not just a simple checklist - it's an art form! These experts will discuss all the finer details of leveraging your brand, optimizing your content, and mastering the art of storytelling. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from these industry leaders. 👏 Join us at Content Israel by purchasing your tickets from www.contentisrael.com and use the promo code IM25 to receive a 25% discount. 😉 #contentisrael  #Conference2024 #marketing #ContentIsrael2024 #Conference  #ContentMarketing #DigitalMarketing

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IVC Data and Insights report on the Israeli venture market for Q1-Q3 2024 reveals: - $7.4 billion invested in Israeli startups, surpassing the entire 2023 total of $6.9 billion. - $13 billion generated from exits, a 26% increase from 2023's $10.4 billion. - 23% surge in foreign investments year-over-year. - 67% of capital sourced from global investors, with 33% from Israeli funds. - $2.7 billion secured by early-stage startups, the second-highest figure in Israeli startup ecosystem history (after 2022's record). These figures demonstrate investors' confidence in the long-term sustainability of the Israeli startup ecosystem. Trust received, challenge accepted. We're building the future, brick by brick.

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