Gil Shai

Take a look at this picture. It was taken today at our Salesforce offices in Tel-Aviv. It shows a few dozens of Salesforce Israel employees in one of our regular all-hands meetings. What's so special about that? Well, that picture was taken exactly 36 hours after Iran launched a massive aerial strike against Israel with 100s of UCAVs, ballistic and cruise missiles carrying about 60 tons(!) of explosives. Thanks to the Israeli Air force, the air forces of the US, UK, France, Jordan and others *and* Israeli innovation and engineering talent who developed the most advanced multi-layered air defense systems in the world - luckily that attack ended up with relatively low impact. It was a sleepless night for all us in Israel who got an advanced notice of the attack and basically spent that night bracing for impact. Now take another look at this picture. 36 hours later - People showing up at the office, talking to each other, having a few laughs, having meetings, discussing deadlines, solving business problems, discussing engineering problems, doing demos, having coffee and lunch together, having an all-hands meeting together. 36 hours ago we were bracing for impact of 60 tons of explosives that were about to fall out of the sky. Take another look at this picture - This is how resilience looks like. You can count on us. We deliver. No matter what. https://lnkd.in/eXSvz3xv

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"Don't be afraid to make any mistakes. Don't get in love with your product, get in love with the solution." In a recent episode of Tech Salescraft, Elad Ben-Israel, Co-Founder and CEO of Wing, delves into the challenging yet rewarding path of navigating the startup landscape. With extensive experience in tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, Elad shares his insights on the importance of innovative sales strategies and the evolving role of a CEO in a tech startup. Explore our latest blog for a detailed look at how Elad’s journey and Wing’s approach to building impactful tech solutions highlight the significance of passion, leadership, and community in driving startup success.👇 https://lnkd.in/ez37nbQ7 #StartupStories #TechSalesRecruitment #TechSalescraft #TechSalesBlog

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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

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We all have choices. Israeli entrepreneurs choose to thrive

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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

Today, I came across a concerning trend that made me reflect on the state of our tech ecosystem. Despite the hype and excitement surrounding Israeli startups in recent years, the number of new technological entrepreneurship ventures has been on a steady decline. This downward trajectory persisted even during the explosive growth of 2020 and 2021. It's disheartening to witness the decrease in new early-stage tech companies sprouting into our ecosystem. The challenges we face seem to go beyond temporary economic crises or societal issues. The root causes may lie in how our government and investor communities are approaching sector strategies and regulations. As a part of the Israeli startup nation, it's crucial for us to address these underlying issues to ensure the continued growth and success of our tech industry. Keeping this trend going is not an option for our ecosystem, and it is maybe one of the most important challenges we need to think about in the near future. This graph came from the Israeli Innovation Authority's 2023 annual summary report and IVC data.

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We're excited to introduce Nadav Kaduri, a talented #BI Developer who joined iprosis six months ago. Fresh out of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev with a Computer Science degree, Nadav shares his insights on starting a career in the data field. Why BI Development? Nadav was drawn to this role for its unique blend of technology and data. "It's the perfect mix", he explains. "You get to dive deep into data and work on both backend and frontend development, from building ETL processes and data models to implementing complex dashboards". Tips for Aspiring BI Professionals: 1. Master Data Lifecycle: Start from ETL processes and data modeling, through database structures and SQL querying to data visualization concepts and BI tools. 2. Programming Skills: If you don’t familiar with any kind of programming language – start learning one. It will help you develop custom solutions, optimize workflows, and troubleshoot issues more effectively. 3. Enhance Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal skills are crucial. You’ll need to collaborate with internal teams and external clients to understand their needs, present insights, and ensure BI solutions meet business goals. Nadav's journey at iprosis showcases the exciting opportunities in the BI field. Are you considering a career in Business Intelligence? Share your thoughts or questions below!

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🚨 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

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As a result of the war, the Israeli defense industry and defense-tech companies have been at the forefront. A recent article I wrote for Calcalist כלכליסט explains how we can leverage the significant investments made in defense industries and their outstanding achievements for environmental sustainability and overcoming climate change. Dual-use technology refers to technologies that can be used for both military and civilian purposes, thereby maximizing the advantages of advanced technologies. A drone is a great example of dual-use technology – on one hand, it can be used for military surveillance, and on the other hand, it can also be used to monitor climate-related changes such as methane and other GHG emissions monitoring, weather patterns, etc. In the article, I provided more examples of dual-use technologies, including satellite technologies and green transportation. Defense industries and Israeli defense-tech companies can play a central role in dual-use technology. Investing in dedicated bodies like Capital Nature can provide the necessary network and market access for these technologies. This can revolutionize both sectors and drive progress towards a safer and more sustainable future. #DualUseTechnology #Defensetech #ClimateCrisis

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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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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

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In today’s fast-paced and uncertain environment, accessing top tech talent often means expanding internationally. At COMMIT Offshore, with 200+ team members across four global centers, I’ve found that thriving in global hiring depends on two main factors: 🔑 Cultural Compatibility: Embracing cultural diversity is key. For instance, Israel’s direct style can differ greatly from the more reserved approach of Ukrainian, Armenian professionals. 🤝 Emphasis on Soft Skills: Technical expertise is critical, but it’s the adaptability, communication, and teamwork skills that truly bind a team. Identifying and understanding personality types can transform team dynamics: 🔍 The Analyst – Detail-oriented, thorough, and structured. Perfect for roles that need data-driven decisions and precision. ✅ The Task-Oriented – Mission-focused, efficient, and punctual. Ideal for tasks with tight deadlines and clear objectives. 🎤 The Promoter – Charismatic and engaging, they light up the room. Great fit for Sales and Marketing! 🤝 The Supporter – Calm, empathetic, and reliable. Perfect for roles in care-giving and customer support. Creating successful international teams goes beyond recruitment—it's about building a shared culture that resonates globally. Read the full article 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dXVPZ4nd #GlobalTalent #RemoteTeams #TechHiring #ITOutstaffing #ITSolutions #OutstaffSolutions #ITOutsourcing #StaffAugmentation #TeamAugmentation

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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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I'm excited to share my latest article published in The Jerusalem Post: "Why This Is the Most Critical and Opportune Time to Invest in Israeli AI Tech." In these challenging times, I believe that investing in AI technology is not just an economic opportunity but more importantly, a crucial step toward strengthening Israel's resilience and future. I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts about this article. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eGgVknzg #business #innovation #technology #startups #AI #VC

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🎤 Building Products, demystified. Had a great chat with Lior Atias and Shira Weinberg Harel at Executive Summary - תקציר מנהלים on all things Product. We discussed the synergy between company and product strategies, building Product Led organizations, and the essential talent and skills for the various stages of a company's lifecycle. 🎧 Check is out here

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According to a new report co-produced by Google Israel and RISE Israel (formerly SNPI), there are more than 2,300 AI startups active in Israel today. That number accounts for roughly one quarter of all the technology companies in the country. It is well known that Israel has the highest number of startups per capita in the world, but we must continue to capitalize on the AI moment if we want to hold onto the technology crown. In fact, the report notes that AI startups in Israel are not launching at the pace of previous startup eras. At our Google Cloud Summit Tel Aviv last week, we saw a lot of excitement and innovation around AI. With that in mind, I authored a Google Cloud blog highlighting 5 of Google Cloud Israel’s top AI customers here in Israel that show that Israel is still a leader in new tech. These companies are leading in almost every sector of AI, including healthtech, security, databases, and content creation. I invite you to read the blog and learn more about them: CytoReason, founded by David H. and Prof. Shai Shen-Orr, a tech company transforming biopharma’s decision-making from trial and error to data-driven using an AI Platform of computational disease models. Fairtility, founded by Eran Eshed and Assaf Ben-Meir, is reimagining IVF for the modern fertility clinic with a suite of AI software tools. Hour One, founded by Oren Aharon and Lior Hakim, revolutionizes content creation for businesses by centralizing all workflows in one AI-powered platform Lightricks, founded by Zeev Farbman, Nir Pochter, Yaron Inger and Amit Goldstein, is transforming storytelling with products that integrate AI and video production. Wiz, founded by Assaf Rappaport, Ami Luttwak, Yinon C. and Roy R., recently launched support for Google Cloud Vertex AI. Now, Wiz customers can build, train, and deploy ML models at scale while ensuring they are effectively monitoring and managing the security risks associated with managing AI/ML models. I am personally more motivated than ever and believe even more strongly that Israel will deliver No Matter What. https://lnkd.in/d25ueAyw #Google #GoogleCloud #CloudForIsrael #NoMatterWhat #StartupNation #GoogleCloudSummit

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I had the honor of being interviewed by Globes about the recent groundbreaking advancements from OpenAI and Google. It's fascinating to witness the rapid pace of innovation and how these giants are pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI. Key takeaways from the interview: OpenAI's GPT 4o Launch: OpenAI introduced GPT 4o, a model that’s twice as fast and half the cost of its predecessor. With 100 million active weekly users, the goal is to make AI models even more accessible and integrated into daily life. Exciting features like video calls with ChatGPT are on the horizon! Google's Gemini Upgrade: At Google’s annual developer conference, they showcased enhancements to their AI model, Gemini, which can now handle more data and produce even more sophisticated outputs. Google also emphasized the integration of AI in their search engine and the development of advanced personal assistants. The Future of AI: Both companies are striving towards creating intelligent personal assistants that can handle a myriad of tasks seamlessly. This includes recognizing emotions in voice and eventually through video. In the interview, I mentioned: "Until now, integrating individual text segments into models was a manual process. The future model aims to provide continuous and comprehensive responses, seeing everything you see. However, it's unclear when this will become a reality." Challenging Business Models: It's intriguing to see how these companies might be disrupting their own business models. OpenAI’s move to offer GPT-4 for free aims to build a vast user base, which could convert to premium users in the future. For Google, integrating AI into search might reduce ad revenue but is essential for maintaining relevance. NVIDIA’s Crucial Role: Both OpenAI and Google acknowledge NVIDIA’s pivotal contribution with their advanced GPUs, which are essential for these AI advancements. This collaboration underscores NVIDIA's importance in the AI ecosystem. The AI landscape is incredibly dynamic, and it's a privilege to be part of this revolution. Looking forward to seeing how these technologies evolve and shape our future! Link: https://lnkd.in/dn_hFv5K

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Check out my conversation with Aviv Frenkel on his podcast

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