Gil Shai

From Crisis to Opportunities The New Role of VCs in Supporting Israeli Startups 9 months into the war that started on October 7th, We still have no clues about when this war will end. Despite these challenging times, Israeli Tech has shown tremendous resiliency in 2024, and our Startup Nation is alive and kicking - According to Q1 reports, overall investments and the number of deals involving Israeli startups have seen an uptick in 2024. Much of that can be related to an extra effort that Israeli VCs are making to ensure that their portfolio companies will not only survive this period but also grow. During a panel discussion that we had last month with 5 VC executives, all panelists agreed that VCs had to step up to support startups in new ways.   Here are some highlights from that discussion: 🔹 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀: Taking a more active part in creating deal flow for portfolio companies. Using the partners and global network to help startups find new customers and partners. 🔹 𝗖𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: Helping portfolio companies to become leaner, spend less, and work more efficiently. 🔹 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: With many people called up for reserve duty, VCs help by connecting startups to MBA students who offer free help. 🔹 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: Providing office space, experts' assistance, and mentors. 🔹 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽: Actively helping startups apply for government grants and programs. 🔹 𝗚𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹: Assisting in setting up operations outside of Israel 🔹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵: Recognizing the stress of the situation, VCs are funding support services for startup teams. These efforts show how VCs are adapting to help startups during a tough time. It's not just about money anymore – it's about working together to keep Israeli innovation going strong. This new way of supporting startups might change how VCs and startups work together in the future, even after the current crisis. Ayelet Tako Tal Ben-Moshe Anna Leizerovici ( Ekstein ) Inbal Perlman Yaara Kassner Gilad Liptz Tomer Jakov Shani Netzer

41

4 תגובות

Episode #7: Effectivate - Cognitive training app for older adults. Don’t miss this 90 second video about one of the hottest new startups in Israel; and FOLLOW us so you don’t miss another episode! In this video, Gerson Panitch interviews Shai Granot. #whatsnextinisraeltech

37

9 תגובות

In this episode, we speak with Shmuel Mizrachi Ginat. He’s an entrepreneur and venture capital investor with deep experience in business development, capital raising, investments, and M&As. Shmuel has helped raise close to 100 million USD for over 80 startups and has personally invested in 17 Israeli startups. He’s the founder of Crowdinnio, a holding company with ventures in P2P lending, secondary markets, crowdfunding, and more. He also founded EvE, an investment banking firm specializing in M&As, guiding startups through capital growth and regulatory challenges. We discuss: - The challenges of investing in early-stage startups and the importance of diversifying investments - How Shmuel’s belief that his generation onwards will live at least till 100 impacts his investment strategy  - The importance of chemistry between co-founders and the need for a strong team to support each other - Growing a network while being an outsider in a new market - And much more! We hope you enjoy your listen! Listen on your default podcast app: https://lnkd.in/dKKvEnSF We’re excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט – Israel’s leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa. If you’re not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene. Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves. You’re also welcome to follow Ronen and Noa on Linkedin: Ronen Menipaz Noa Eshed🎗️ And if we may ask for a favor – please leave us a review on your native podcast app. #reallifesuperpowers #entrepreneurship #podcast #leadership

9

🚨 24-hour countdown! 🚨 Tomorrow, we're pulling back the curtain on how Israeli startups can ace #SOC2 compliance without breaking a sweat. And it’s all happening in Hebrew! Ready to see how Scytale can transform your compliance game? Join us for a live demo with Matan Ephron, our compliance solutions consultant, who’ll walk you through: • The must-know secrets of SOC 2 compliance for Israeli companies • A foolproof roadmap to SOC 2 compliance • A live tour of our platform that automates the SOC 2 process  • Expert tips on how we handle your audit-readiness from start to finish Don’t miss this chance to get ahead of the game. Set your alarms and get ready to level up your compliance game with us. 🚀 See you tomorrow! Register here: eu1.hubs.ly/H0cm8sn0

8

לכל מי שמחפש קשר ישיר לחברות ביטוח - האקסלרטור המקוצר והאיכותי הזה בשבילכם (והפעם נפתח ללא תשלום! ) Kobi Bendelak For those who thought of turning to the world of insurance but have not yet done so -* Join our 7th cohort - *Insurtech Israel Bootcamp* I'm excited to announce the launch of another special acceleration cohort of our joint business partnership. This time , our focus will be on supporting on startups that are considering entering or have recently begun to enter the insurance world. Our aim is to provide intensive support, equipping with the necessary tools, knowledge, and connections to thrive in the insurance industry both locally and globally. Here's a brief overview of the schedule: 10/03 - Opening of registration for the program 16/05 - End of registration 03/06 - Selection Day (physical event in Israel with virtual participation for partners abroad) 16/06 - The cohort starting day 18/07 - Graduates event - On TLV' s seashore Startups, therefore it is recommended that you register for the program (*the program is free of charge but requires an investment of time and involvement*) which will open up to you many contacts in the world, a lot of knowledge about the world of insurance and speed up the activity significantly yours in this complex world. Our past experience shows that the program has greatly helped the mature startups To register, please use this link - https://lnkd.in/eVVtqYdJ Key Highlights of Our Program: Our program boasts an impressive lineup of partners, including from the insurance space , *AIG, IAG from Australia , Lloyd's of London, AON, Sompo insurance from Japan, AF group & Broker Tech Ventures from USA, Migdal insurance & Direct Insurance from Israel , and from the technology and business space Dell Technologies, Sapiens, Microsoft, Milliman, Deloitte, ReSource Pro, Bolttech, and more*. These collaborations provide an unmatched platform for your growth.

6

1 תגובה

Episode #25: AgriPass- Weeding the way. Don’t miss this 120 second video about one of the hottest new startups in Israel; and FOLLOW us so you don’t miss another episode! In this video, Gerson Panitch interviews Guy Raz. #whatsnextinisraeltech

33

7 תגובות

Last week Bria was ranked #20 of the most promising startups in Israel, kudos to the team! It is a long journey to build a startup. At 8 years old, I fell in love with mathematics, and at that point, I knew that's what I'd get my PhD in. That passion not only shaped my academic path but also ignited my interest in visual technologies and AI, which led me to pursue a PhD in computer vision. During my studies, I began to realise just how much the future of content would change with AI coming into the mix. Fast-forward to 2020, during COVID and before the Gen AI hype, I combined my understanding of how visuals can be generated with AI and the valuable enterprise experience I gained in my previous role at Trax Retail, to co-establish an AI startup called BRIA. We had one simple goal: To make it easy for any individual and company to generate the exact visuals needed for any use. Our key objective in helping you achieve this is to ensure that we provide you with a transparent, open, and responsible AI platform trained solely on licensed data, no public figures and deep fake, no privacy infringement. And in a world where more than 43% of people don't trust companies to use AI morally, Responsible AI use has never been more important. In building BRIA, we've been able to help businesses all over the world scale their content development process. And what gets me even more excited is that we've been able to partner with different creators to ensure that their creativity is respected, rewarded, and isn't pirated. We trained our own high quality foundation models and built the core tools of Generative AI so everyone can use it. The journey so far has been anything but linear, and I'm eager to continue sharing the innovative features we're developing, discuss the critical importance of Responsible AI, and explore how you can leverage our platform to its fullest potential. Join us as we pave the way for a new era of content creation, where innovation meets integrity.

417

19 תגובות

Episode #8: XOLTAR - AI companion for patients. Don’t miss this 90 second video about one of the hottest new startups in Israel; and FOLLOW us so you don’t miss another episode! In this video, Gerson Panitch interviews Asaf Shiloni. #whatsnextinisraeltech

40

14 תגובות

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

8

I'm back in Israel, after the insightful 58th ICA conference. I found out that Israel can be one of the global leaders of the AI revolution, but in order to do so, we must collaborate with our true friends in the world. Such a collaboration can only happen when we listen carefully to our international partners, and understand that their critique comes from true friendship. I believe that international collaboration is the key to overcoming obstacles, both in AI, and in the current multidimensional crisis that Israel is facing. https://lnkd.in/dEaRPfM3

40

3 תגובות

The future of B2B sales in Israeli startups is set for dramatic transformation by 2025. From AI-driven processes and Digital Sales Twins to the crucial balance between automation and human connection, staying ahead of these trends is essential. At Marketfit, we're here to help startups not just adapt but lead in this evolving landscape. Dive into our latest insights to see how you can future-proof your sales strategy and scale globally while maintaining that personal touch. #B2BSales #SalesInnovation #SalesLeadership #SalesStrategy #IsraeliStartups #VentureCapital Nissim Yves Ohayon

7

BRIA AI has been recognized by CTech by Calcalist as one of the most promising Israeli Startups for 2024, ranking at an impressive #20! 🎉 This past year has been challenging, but our success is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of the Bria team, the unwavering support of our amazing investors, and the trust of our valued data partners. At BRIA AI, we are proud to be at the forefront of responsible generative AI, providing a powerful platform for developers, builders, and content creators to innovate and bring their ideas to life. 🌟 As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission of Responsible and Open Generative AI 🚀 https://lnkd.in/eKDdiCcY #BriaAI #GenerativeAI #IsraeliStartups #ResponsibleAI #StartupSuccess Thanks Entrée Capital, IN Venture, GFT Ventures, Intel Capital, Samsung Next, Atinum Investment, Z Ventures, Mirae Asset Global Investments and J-Ventures Fund for your ongoing support. Intel Ignite that is always there for the Israeli startup ecosystem. Last but not least, to all of our data partners, Getty Images, Alamy, Envato, Deposit Photos, Freepik (apologize not adding the entire list) who share the vision for #responsibleai and create a win-win economy for #visualgenerativrai Israeli startups always deliver 🇮🇱

98

7 תגובות

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

16

1 תגובה

40,000. Let that sink in. Time is the enemy of everything, if you can weather the storm, time, you will find yourself and your company achieving awesome things. We are surviving, and I am excited now that the platform is built to bring in additional members to clean up the css to get it out to the public. I recommend honestly the bootstrap approach until things stabilize or serious funding or revenue are coming in. hire the talent you need to address the problem. half of companies kill themselves out of ego in hiring those who contribute to long term solutions that may exacerbate the short term. food for thought. it's only on supporting each other, rowing together, we weather the storm. #israel #israeliinnovation

6

Israel is a giant playground if you can perceive it as such. One of my adventures in the corridors of Israeli academia (it’s a comedy. They all are) involved an esoteric investigation into a new class of numbers. There was a notion that there is a negative zero and a positive zero, and that it is somehow useful. I came in to the lab, understood what is required, and wrote the code that produces negative and positive zeros, and queries that perform statistical analysis on the outputs, etc, etc, etc. Negative zeros, positive zeros, perhaps useless in any case aside from slippage calculation in zero-ish trade thresholds. In any case, it’s unfeasible, due to Binance fees. https://lnkd.in/dfjKhTND

Want to know what it takes to build a startup in Israel's thriving tech scene? Get ready to be inspired! We sat down with Hanan Brand the powerhouse behind Israel's startup scene. As Vice President and Head of the Startup Division at the Israel Innovation Authority, Hanan is the driving force behind the government's support for hundreds of groundbreaking companies. With over 15 years of experience in venture capital and executive roles, Hanan is a true industry veteran. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights into the Israel Innovation Authority's role in shaping the future. Discover how programs like the Technological Incubator and National Climatech are fueling innovation and tackling global challenges. Watch now and see how Israel is leading the way in technology and sustainability! Hosted by Yoel Israel

12

2 תגובות