Dmitry Bergelson

Graduates from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology have a significantly higher likelihood of founding a US-based unicorn company compared to graduates from other universities. It's fascinating to note that Technion alumni are 25 times more likely to achieve this feat. Following the Technion, Tsinghua University, Reichman University, INSEAD, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Tel Aviv University all share the next spot with a likelihood of 11.3. While this number is notably lower than the Technion's, it still indicates a considerably higher chance of founding a unicorn compared to graduates from universities not listed. This data underscores the strength of Technion in fostering entrepreneurial talent and its impressive track record in producing successful startup founders, particularly in the US market. I graduated for the Technion (D.Sc.) in 1993.

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Is it shopping season for Israeli technology? The recent surge in M&A activity in Israel is the most significant sign of hope and optimism I’ve seen since October 7th. It demonstrates the potential of Israeli tech and the faith placed in it by top global companies. When technology leaders choose to further expand into Israel and acquire local teams, you know financial outlooks are positive. In cybersecurity - often the poster-child of Israeli tech - we’ve seen five acquisitions in quick succession totaling more than $1Bn. Flow Security by CrowdStrike (~$200M), Avalor Security, a Zscaler Company ($350M), Gem Security (acquired by Wiz) ($350M), Silk Security by Armis ($150M) and Entitle by BeyondTrust (~150M). All are led by exceptional individuals, well done! Perhaps more telling is the emerging AI industry. Last week NVIDIA announced its acquisition of two companies for a combined value of $1Bn. Congratulations RunAI ($700M) and Deci AI ($300M). Mainstream media is so focused on the voices of a racist minority calling for boycotts and divestments that they fail to capture actual news. Antisemites might yell the loudest, but the actions of multinational corporations speak louder than words. I am optimistic about the future. Are you?

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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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As we face the pressing challenges of climate change, the convergence of climate tech and sustainable mobility presents a remarkable opportunity. From electric vehicles and smart grids to renewable energy and carbon capture technologies, the synergies between climate tech and mobility are transforming industries and communities. Next Gear Ventures' investments in these areas help accelerate the transition into a low-carbon economy and foster a resilient, eco-friendly infrastructure.🌱🚴‍♂️🔋 #ClimateTech #Sustainability #Mobility #GreenInvestment #CleanEnergy #SustainableTransport #Innovation #EcoFriendly #UrbanMobility

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Very interesting report of Israel's AI ecosystem by F2 Venture Capital, Google Cloud and Deloitte. 🔍 On a high level: - The AI startup ecosystem in Israel is booming, with over 2,150 active AI companies, representing ~30% of the local tech sector. - Startups leveraging AI attracted over 60% of all capital raised in 2023. - The country ranks 3rd globally in private AI investment, demonstrating its strong position in the global AI market. 💡 Key takeaways from the report: - Vertical AI is a stronghold. It attracts the largest share of private funding, with Life Sciences, Healthcare and Fintech (banking, financial services and insuretech) leading the charge. Israel's deep domain expertise in these sectors positions it as a potential global leader. - Autonomous Enterprise (Horizontal AI) shows promise. Cybersecurity is a particular strength, capturing 56% of the segment's funding However, the development of multi-modal, end-to-end solutions and AI agents presents further opportunities for cross-industry applications. - AI & Data Ops is a key area for growth. Israel's strong talent pool and focus on enhancing existing infrastructure make it well-suited to address the growing demand for cloud-based AI Ops platforms and efficient data management solutions. There are also plenty of challenges: securing and nurturing AI talent, sustaining investment and navigating the global AI landscape/competition. Link to the report in the first comment 🔗

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Today, Koby & I had the privilege of meeting Adv. Hila Rom 🎗, the dynamic Founder & Managing Partner of RUNI Ventures, a venture capital fund affiliated with Reichman University in Israel. Hila is a true powerhouse, blending her extensive experience as an entrepreneur, investor, and business leader to drive innovation and empower the Israeli startup ecosystem. Under her leadership, RUNI Ventures has quickly become a game-changer, providing early-stage funding and resources to extraordinary tech founders. During one of the most challenging years in Israel, Hila and her team managed to build a new fund, partner with top-tier investors and already made 9 (!) investments in groundbreaking startups – a testament to the confidence investors have in Hila’s leadership and in the brilliant founders she backs. RUNI Ventures offers unparalleled support to startups, including access to top talent, expert mentorship, and a global network, all aimed at nurturing the next wave of Israeli innovation. It’s inspiring to see Hila Rom and Reichman University working hand in hand to fortify Israel's visionary innovators building disruptive tech companies 💡✨ If you’re as passionate about supporting visionary founders and driving innovation as we are, RUNI Ventures is definitely a group to watch! As far as we at Sakal Group Family Office are concerned, we've already spotted a few collaborations between our portfolio companies. #Leadership #Innovation #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #ReichmanUniversity #RUNIVentures #WomenInBusiness #Israel

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Thanks CTech by Calcalist and James Spiro for covering the Viola Ventures #FinTech report. Three takeaways: 1. #Fintech has been consistently (close) second only to #cyber in the Israeli ecosystem -- in terms of investments, category leaders creation and exits. Yet, it is getting less attention than its weight and importance. 2. The #Israeli #FinTech ecosystem is #healthy >> early stage top of funnel = constant innovation >> growth rounds = scaling and category leadership >> Israeli FinTechs are becoming global consolidators via buyside M&A. 3. After 10 years of publishing the #Israeli #FinTech #Map, we are introducing a new, interactive and similarly comprehensive version, check it out. Links to the #Fintech report and #Map in the comments. Reach out if you are Fintech builders. Uri Lampert

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In Q3 2024, Israel's tech ecosystem saw a significant surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), driven by high-value transactions despite global and regional challenges. Here's a summary of the key trends and activities: 1. **Increase in M&A Value**: M&A activity in Israel rose by 40% year-over-year, reaching $12 billion in total exits by Q3 2024. This reflects global and domestic confidence in Israel's innovation capabilities, particularly in sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and healthcare【8】【9】. 2. **Notable Transactions**:   - **Blackstone** acquired Priority Software for $800 million, demonstrating the global appeal of Israeli enterprise software.   - **Nvidia** purchased Run:AI for $700 million, highlighting the strategic importance of AI startups.   - **Johnson & Johnson** expanded its healthcare offerings with the $600 million acquisition of V-Wave, a medical device innovator【10】. 3. **Shift in Deal Dynamics**: Although fewer deals were made compared to 2023, the median deal size increased dramatically, showcasing a focus on high-value acquisitions. The median size rose to $300 million, reflecting substantial global investment interest【10】. 4. **Sectoral Highlights**: AI, enterprise software, and health tech led the way in M&A activity, underscoring their growth potential and strategic importance【8】【10】. 5. **Investor Trends**:   - North American firms dominated acquisitions, while domestic Israeli companies also increased their role as acquirers, signaling growing local consolidation.   - European participation remained steady, indicating diverse international interest in Israeli tech【10】. These trends reinforce Israel's status as a global innovation hub, attracting significant investments despite external pressures. For a deeper dive, you can explore detailed insights from F2 Venture Capital, Startup Nation Central, and Crunchbase【8】【9】【10】.

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Join me and IDA Ventures for another insightful session where we will brainstorm with experts and explore the opportunities in the public market in Israel. It's time to seize the moment and invest in attractive pricing. 🌟 #IDAventures #InvestmentOpportunities #PublicMarket #IsraelInvesting 🇮🇱

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ICI Fund was ranked among the Most Active Foreign VC Funds investing in Israel! 🎉🍾 ICI Fund strongly believes in the #Israeli #startup ecosystem and will continue to invest in incredible Israeli #entrepreneurs with #AI solutions that are #securing our #future. In 2024, ICI Fund invested in: 1. Feminai, led by Karny Ilan, MD, Shani Klein and Gal Yanuka; 2. Rangers.ai, led by Ayelet Biger-Levin; 3. Reborn Medical, led by Shir Kashi 4. UrbanMix, led by Sharon Yavo Ayalon and Daphna Levine 5. Stay tuned! In process 💪 ICI Fund is planning to invest in at least two additional companies by the end of 2024. We focus on #preseed stage #investments. If your vision includes transforming a critical industry, securing our future, and improving the world—and you possess the unwavering determination to make it happen—we'd love to connect with you. Let's meet! #BringThemHomeNOW!

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Innovation truly is a state of mind at Bina - Bridge Innovate Nurture Advance and it was an honor to be part of launching the “BinAi” club, focused on empowering Bina's team with advanced Gen AI tools. Huge thanks to everyone involved, Oshrat Horowitz, Sharon Fireman, Reut Mashiach, Hezi Sztainberg, Ph.D.,Orel Yaverbaum and Merav Marom, for their dedication to bringing this vision to life. During our workshops, we explored the transformative power of research and scientific writing Gen AI tools like Elicit, Connected Papers, QuillBot, Bit.ai, and Scite. We also had an interesting discussion about implementing enterprise Gen AI tools like ChatGPT Enterprise and Claude for enterprises, highlighting their potential to supercharge productivity and drive innovation across the board. However, as we discussed, with these advantages come responsibilities: ensuring accuracy, addressing privacy concerns, and balancing AI’s role alongside human creativity and expertise. The team is on a meaningful journey with BinAi, and this is only the start of their potential. It was a pleasure to collaborate with such a dedicated and forward-thinking group. DOCERE #Gen ai #Gen_ai_in_research #Innovation #AI #HealthcareAI #BinAi #Teamwork #Bina #EnterpriseAI #FutureOfWork #llm

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I was recently included in the list of the 1,000 most active angel investors in Israel https://lnkd.in/erPY8utD (I invest in Israel, the US, and Europe) The authors (Joey Faur and Oz Hassine from Flashpoint Venture Capital) gave some great tips on reaching out to angel investors. Since the article is in Hebrew, I am providing the translation below for your convenience. ''When crafting your pitch, keep the message short and focused, and make sure to include several key elements: 1. Opening: Briefly introduce yourself and your startup. 2. Value Proposition: Highlight what sets your startup apart and why it’s an excellent investment opportunity. 3. Achievements: Emphasize significant accomplishments, such as winning competitions or participating in accelerators. 4. Meeting Request: Clearly state your intention to discuss a potential investment. 5. Attachments: Include relevant materials, like an investor pitch deck, but avoid overloading with unnecessary information. 6. It's important to maintain conciseness—a message that’s too long won’t get read. When an angel investor shows interest, you need to be fully prepared for the meeting. Have a deep understanding of all the details related to your idea—financial data, forecasts, key performance indicators, competitors, and anticipated challenges. Your pitch should focus on the investor’s areas of interest and address potential questions even before the angel asks them. Even if you don’t secure an immediate investment, continue to nurture the relationship with the angel investor you met. Regular updates on your startup’s progress can keep the door open for future investment opportunities. Avoid Common Mistakes Now, let’s discuss two common mistakes you should avoid: 1. Failing to Do Research: Research investors before reaching out to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings. 2. Understanding Angel Risks: Acknowledge the risks angels face, such as dilution of equity and later-stage investments. Showing angels that you understand their perspective can increase their trust in your ability to make good use of their money.'' ---- Interested in investing in VCs & startups? let's connect.

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Israeli tech is at a crossroads On the one hand, we see a surge in tech, particularly with AI. On the other hand, we're dealing with a decrease in economic activity and a potential shift in the job market While it's true that the current situation in the country has led to a decrease in economic activity, we must also consider the impact of AI on the job market. Companies may be using the current economic climate as a cover to transition to AI-driven operations, a move that isn't typically popular… The rapid development of AI, such as OpenAI's GPT-3, suggests that we may see a big shift in the job market sooner than anticipated. While this is great for efficiency, it also raises concerns about job security, and the future of jobs Furthermore, the job market, especially in the tech sector, is becoming increasingly competitive There are fewer jobs than there are people looking for work. This issue is particularly pronounced in the Haredi community, where job opportunities are even scarcer. The community faces additional challenges, including bias and a lack of experience. Most training programs today don't offer job experience or placement, leaving individuals to navigate the job market on their own Given these circumstances, #entrepreneurship emerges as a viable path… knowing how to run a business and possessing skills that can't be easily replicated by AI can be a real advantage Along with those challenges, another major question is… is Israel a conducive environment for setting up a business?   The Israeli government's stance towards businesses, particularly #startups, plays a big role in shaping the country's economic landscape. High taxes and stringent regulations can deter entrepreneurs, pushing them to relocate their businesses to countries like the US This trend is worrying… as startups and new businesses are the key drivers of economic growth. A decrease in the number of companies not only reduces job opportunities but also hampers growth The government's role in fostering a supportive environment for businesses cannot be overstated Initiatives to ease regulations, provide tax cuts, and offer support can significantly enhance the business landscape, encouraging entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses in Israel While it's true that thriving businesses may not always equate to more jobs, particularly because of #AI, they do contribute to economic growth. The profits generated by these businesses can be reinvested into the economy, catalyzing further growth The next few years in this country are about striking a balance between embracing tech, entrepreneurship, and ensuring job security, as well as creating an environment conducive for building businesses What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the Comments section below Safra-Tech Calcalist כלכליסט CTech by Calcalist #startupnation #artificialintelligence #israelunderfire

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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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Long overdue and in (not so) magical correspondence with geopolitical events - risk rant 2 here we go! I believe that the next big wave of Israeli startups will apply risk-thinking approaches to different risk pools around the world. In my thinking, risk pools can be broken into two categories: 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 These risk pools have been around for decades, even centuries. They’re not hyper-growing anymore, but their growth is steady, and they’re huge in volume. Perhaps for that reason, they are still mostly managed with outdated tools and data practices. Here are two examples:  1. Breeze (Eyal, Noam, Max) is building workflows and models to manage the ~$79B cargo insurance risk pool 2. Assured Allies (Roee, Afik) is helping insurers and families manage their exposure to longevity risk, a pool worth $100Bs annually The opportunity here is often replacing or optimizing existing tools to improve risk management, and bringing risk practices to the 21st century—whether it’s access to new data, modern underwriting, or risk monitoring and visibility. 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 These are newer and smaller compared to classic risk pools, but are growing very quickly. Many don’t yet have the tooling, workflows, structured datasets, or methodologies to manage them properly or scalably. For example, healthcare fraud is a well-established classic risk pool worth over $100B annually. Telehealth fraud, on the other hand, is an example of a modern risk pool: it’s still small at ~$8B, but growing at a 20% rate a year. Unlike healthcare fraud, telehealth fraud lacks the tools, methodologies, or even regulations to effectively govern and manage them. Given how new these risk categories are, the opportunity here is to build tools that stakeholders need to manage these risks effectively. As you can see, I’m quite excited about Israeli companies innovating around risk categories. If you’re a founder looking at ways to revolutionize classic risk categories or shape modern ones, I’d love to hear your thoughts. (In the photo - the young and beautiful Breeze team disrupting a traditional risk category over a company lunch)

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Israeli Sales Management and Customer Support Startup Acquired by the AI Giant Sana Ctrl (acquired by Sana AI), an Israeli startup with an AI-based platform for sales management and customer support, was acquired by Sana, an artificial intelligence company, to expand Sana’s product capabilities and accelerate development. Additionally, Ctrl will contribute another layer of actions that users can perform directly across all their platforms. Ctrl's platform automatically aggregates sales, support, and customer success team workflows related to customer acquisition and management, integrates with existing systems, and adapts to the specific needs of companies and users. Ctrl optimizes workflows using AI, sends updates to CRM fields, and advises sales and support staff on additional steps to take with clients. Ctrl was founded in 2021 by Omri Sagzan and Aviv Nahum. Earlier, Ctrl completed a $9 million seed funding round led by LocalGlobe and Earlybird, with participation from Dig Ventures, Jibe Ventures, and sales managers from Slack, Intercom, Personio, and Databricks. Sana has developed technology that allows organizations to build customized AI tools that serve as organizational assistants for any team or workflow without coding. Sana was established by Joel Halmerck in 2016. Aviv Nahum, co-founder of Ctrl, added, “Our vision and technology align seamlessly with Sana's core operations. By becoming part of the company, we will accelerate the development of AI-based solutions that revolutionize the way people work and make even the most complex tasks intuitive and productive.” Source: https://lnkd.in/gcAwnvuK

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The latest report by RISE Israel (formerly SNPI) highlights Israel's commanding position in the #AI realm, spotlighting the pivotal role of innovative companies within its ecosystem. Here are some of the key points from the report: With approximately 2,300 active AI companies, comprising a quarter of the local high-tech sector, Israel demonstrates AI's significant footprint across diverse industries, particularly in software-based sectors. According to the report, AI companies are most prevalent in the software sector, where they represent a substantial proportion of all high-tech entities. Moreover, the report unveils the indispensable contribution of multinational corporations' R&D centers to Israel's AI landscape. As of April 2024, over 100 multinational corporations are engaged in AI R&D activities in Israel. For instance, Google's Israeli R&D center focuses on AI tools and technologies addressing climate, health, and education challenges, supported by a $25 million five-year plan aimed at integrating highly skilled human capital from underrepresented populations. NVIDIA's Israeli R&D center plays a crucial role in developing communication chips and supercomputers, exemplified by the completion of the first phase of the Israel-1 supercomputer. Entrepreneurship around AI technologies is also flourishing in the Israeli ecosystem. While AI currently constitutes a quarter of all active companies, its share increases to over a third in firms established in the past five years. Notably, nearly half of the startups founded in 2023 leverage AI technologies. Founders of AI companies often boast strong academic high-tech training, with 47% having such backgrounds compared to 39% in other high-tech companies, with #GenAI companies witnessing the highest proportion at over 60%. This underscores both the high demand for technical talent and the imperative to foster entrepreneurship, particularly among those with academic training. This vibrant and diverse AI ecosystem in Israel is bolstered by robust financial, human, entrepreneurial, and intellectual capital. Despite Israel's recognition for its intellectual capital in AI research and development, there's room for progress in implementing AI across various sectors of the economy. Concerning public sentiment in Israel toward AI, optimism, especially in sectors like education and transportation, outweighs nervousness, though concerns about AI's impact on employment persist. Regarding women representation among founders, while it's higher in artificial intelligence companies compared to other high-tech companies, similar to the rest of the world, we still have a way to go there, accounting for only 13% of founders. It's imperative to ensure women have a seat at the table in AI initiatives. In conclusion, Israel's commitment to AI innovation remains unwavering. Bottom line, told you that Israel will deliver #nomatterwhat, didn't we? Read the full report here:

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East Vs West About a year ago, the Israel Advanced Technology Industries (IATI) in collaboration with Deloitte Israel published the most comprehensive report on the contribution of the high-tech sector to the Israeli economy and society. The report aimed to identify and assess the contribution of high-tech to the Israeli economy, considering both quantitative and qualitative contributions. The report evaluates the impact of the sector on the Israeli economy in several dimensions: direct and indirect economic contribution to Israel’s economy, contribution to national resilience, improvement of labor productivity in Israel, and more. Due to space constraints, I will not delve into all parts of the report but will present the main figures: - 240 billion NIS - the direct contribution of the high-tech industry to GDP in 2021 (about 16% of GDP). - Between 2017-2021, 45% of GDP growth in Israel was derived from the high-tech sector. - 50-60 billion NIS - state revenues from high-tech industry taxation - about 65% of specific taxation. - 34% of income tax is attributed to high-tech workers. - 310-360 billion NIS - the total contribution of high-tech to GDP, including derivative contributions. - 67 billion USD - high-tech exports, about 54% of total exports from Israel. The contribution of the Israeli high-tech sector to the broader world is immense. Israel leads in the most innovative technological developments that benefit everyone globally, both in everyday use and in cost savings and energy efficiency. Israel’s location is in the Middle East, surrounded by enemies who seek its destruction. To deal with Middle Eastern enemies which embrace completely opposite values, it is necessary to fight them in a language and values they understand, otherwise, we will not survive here. The West must understand this as it faces increasing Muslim terrorism itself. Israel is making every effort to bridge this gap, and the developed West must stand by its side because they are on the same side, and time is of the essence.

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In episode #10, we sit down with Shmuel (Shmulik) Ben-Tovim to discuss the fintech ecosystem in Israel. Shmuel is an Executive Director of Fintech.IL Innovation Community, and he is a key figure in Israel's fintech ecosystem. He has over two decades of leadership experience in the financial technology sector. Thank you, Shmuel. YouTube - https://lnkd.in/dqsEmmwk The rest are in the comments below ⬇ Afek Shusterman AlgoSpace #podcast #fintech #israel #ecosystem #innovation #technology #finance

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