Joshua Richton

2024 is a year of resilience and hope 💎+🦸‍♂️ When CFOs close the books of 2023, they know it’s time to reflect on the challenges we faced and the strides we made. This year has presented significant hurdles, both globally and at home in Israel. Recent events have reminded us of the need for peace and justice, and we remain hopeful and committed to advocating for the safe return of captives. 🙏 The team has shown incredible resilience, go Silentium Ltd. (✨️🚗🌲)! By pushing through adversity to achieve stable growth and innovation. We’ve expanded our reach into new markets, all while maintaining our focus on ethical practices and community engagement. Looking ahead, we’re dedicated to furthering our initiatives in sustainability and digital transformation. Our goal extends beyond business success, aiming to contribute positively to a global environment characterized by peace and sustainability. 🌲 As we move forward, we’ll continue to guide our financial strategies with integrity and prudence, always working towards a future where peace and prosperity are within reach for all. Here’s to a year defined by resilience and hope🤝. #Leadership #Finance #GlobalBusiness #Innovation #Sustainability #Hope #Justice #StandWithIsrael #ANC #Silentium

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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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"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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YL Ventures is thrilled to partner again with Seattle-based Eran Barak having led the $11 million #seed round of his new #startup MIND! YL Ventures also seeded Eran's last #venture Hexadite, which was acquired by Microsoft. Together with cofounders Itai Schwartz and Hod Bin Noon, and CRO Tyson Hempel (former CRO of exited YL Ventures portfolio company Medigate), Eran is launching today the first-ever platform to put Data Loss Prevention (#DLP) on autopilot! Other investors in the round included #cybersecurity luminaries from CrowdStrike, Adobe, ADT and FireEye, Inc. MIND is a new breed of DLP that leverages #AI and smart #automation to instantly and comprehensively identify, detect, and prevent #data leaks. With the capacity to monitor billions of data events 24/7 in #realtime, MIND is a DLP solution completely reimagined for today's complexity, already ripping & replacing painful legacy solutions at enterprises across America. Read more here: https://mind.io/ And in Reuters: https://lnkd.in/gRhBEkbV

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If you are in Israel these days AND in the Agritech business, please join me at this networking event in Ofakim next week: https://lnkd.in/eS9YJggC The AgroTech Accelerator is a non-profit project lead by the impactful Or Movement, Sarona Ventures, Hamitbach and the Israeli Innovation Authority. Their space is amazing - and the mission so important: empowering Israeli innovation in agro, water, climate, and biomaterials. OR Movement תנועת אורIsrael Innovation AuthoritySarona Ventures

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Amazing: 3 of the top 10 global M&A exits in Q2’24 were Israeli startups, totaling $2.2B and 31% of the total value. Israeli tech is a superpower, offering outstanding, once-in-a-generation investment opportunities driven by its geopolitical situation. Want to hear more? Join the webinar we're hosting today: Venture Insights with Tomer Nitzan, Head of BDO Israel-US Desk. Registration link in the first comment. Link to the CB Insights State of AI report for Q2 2024 in the second comment.

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10 Exciting Israeli Startups you may not have heard about BUT, you should be following: 1. WINN.AI - Salestech 2. Onebeat - Retail tech company 3. MazeBolt - Cyber Security 4. Cynomi - Cyber Security 5. Canditech - HR Tech 6. Percepto - Autonomous Drones - Drone tech 7. HiBob - HR Tech 8. Mesh Payments - Fintech 9. XTEND - Drone tech 10. Connecteam - HR Tech #startupnation

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WhatsApp Business and ChatGPT: A Dynamic Duo Transforming Customer Communication! 🌟 I'm thrilled to share an insightful new blog post from Commbox that delves into the revolutionary integration of WhatsApp Business and ChatGPT. This dynamic duo will transform customer service across industries, offering unparalleled efficiency and personalisation. In today's digital-first world, businesses must leverage cutting-edge technology to meet the high expectations of modern consumers. The integration of WhatsApp Business with ChatGPT is not just a technological upgrade; it's a paradigm shift in how we engage and support our customers. From healthcare to retail and education to municipal services, this powerful combination enhances customer interactions like never before. Explore the future implications of AI in customer communications and learn how to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Take advantage of this must-read post that uncovers the potential of AI-driven customer service! Read the full blog 🔗https://bit.ly/3wVntfb #CustomerService #AI #WhatsAppBusiness #ChatGPT #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #CustomerExperience #FutureOfWork #Commbox CommBox

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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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Yuval Regev and his BI & Analytics team at Atera, the world’s first AI-powered IT management platform, lifted a core business KPI by 34% using the Loops Feature Impact Model. We are so proud and delighted to work with this leading analytics team. Initially, the naive effect (before/after) of a recent feature release appeared to have a positive outcome. However, with Loops they not only discovered that the causal effect was negative, they were empowered to make a series of iterative changes to maximize the KPI. You can read their case study to learn more about the process Yuval and team applied in making this significant impact on growth at Atera. #productledgrowth #causalml #causality https://lnkd.in/euc2JQDU

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What makes our $300M Series D funding milestone so special? Hear from our team what excites them most about this next chapter, and spoiler alert: it’s not just about better coffee in the office (though we’ll take it)!☕ Yotam Segev, Tamar Bar-Ilan, DJ K., Jason Clark, Lamont Orange, Russ Slaten, Jenna Quigley, and Shiran Bareli share their thoughts about the future of Cyera below! Our CEO said it best "this round gives us the resources to keep doing what we do best: empowering organizations to take control of their data." Read what's next for Cyera here: https://lnkd.in/gV7Kn4D7

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We just launched our latest innovation - Parkomat's PowerUp is an effective solution for electricity outages in times of emergency 💪 In a world increasingly reliant on technology, power disruptions can bring life to a standstill. Led by Parkomat's Co-Founder & COO Eyal Hefetz, our team created a reliable way to ensure essential services remain uninterrupted, even during a power outage with a cutting-edge automatic backup power system. "PowerUp is designed for residential and commercial buildings, guaranteeing undisturbed and seamless operation of building elevators, public areas lighting, and critical systems, as well as critical power points inside apartments such as medical devices, outlets in safe rooms, charging points, and refrigerators providing peace of mind for uncertain times throughout the building. This is our answer to the growing demand we're experiencing from Israeli property developers and owners seeking to increase their property value, architects prioritizing resident safety, or property managers aiming for operational resilience. PowerUp provides them with a game-changing solution." Read the full story:  En - https://lnkd.in/evhX7yZP  He - https://lnkd.in/eAairu9Z    #BackupPower #EnergySecurity #SmartBuildings Parkomat Parking Solutions | פרקומט פתרונות חניה

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I was happy to share my thoughts on what 2025 has in store for Israeli tech and venture, published on Calcalist כלכליסט today. If I could summarise 2024 in one word, it would indeed be "Resilience". And for the record, despite the headline, I do believe that the new administration in the US is generally good news for tech and venture, including Israeli startups. I've also mentioned 3 investments we made which are still in stealth... Link to the article in the first comment 👇

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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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Please watch this video if you cherish life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The POTUS seems to have been hijacked not only by dementia, but also by Islamism, which is sweeping the free world like wildfire. As if 9/11 wasn’t enough. As if Oct 7 wasn’t enough. As if hijacking higher education and our economies in the free world wasn’t enough. It’s time for civil people to take back control and defeat Islamism. The only party that offers a way out right now are the Republicans as seen in this video, along with the Israelis who are fighting this evil while sacrificing their brightest in the process. Please consider making a donation to the speakers in this video, to Israeli soldiers at the IDF, and most importantly - speak up! Sitting quietly on the sidelines as the foundations of the civil world are shaken by Islamism (take 2, after WW2... Islamism is the ideology that inspired German National Socialism, and the one that denies it ever happened while disseminating Mein Kampf in Islamist school systems) is the worst we all could do. If you’re a Muslim that fled Islamism to live in democracies like the U.S. or Israel, you especially are indebted to uphold the values of life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. If you consider yourself a liberal, if you’re gay - you especially are indebted to uphold the values of life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness - you saw what it’s like under German National Socialism - which is today’s Progressivism, brainwashed by Islamism. Let’s fight and reject this horrific evil of Islamism together. There is no other way.

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Silicon Valley has its "wartime CEO" model for tough times. But in Israel, it's the real deal. Gigi Levy-Weiss asked a dozen Wartime CEOs of multi-billion-dollar companies in Israel to share their experiences for the benefit of startup founders everywhere. The result: "The Wartime CEO: 9 Leadership Principles for Strong Startups" (https://lnkd.in/gzBNEEvd) Leadership forged in fire... 🙏 to these Israel CEOs for participating: Avishai Abrahami Oz Alon Chen Amit Oriel Bachar Tomer Bar-Zeev Liron Damri Shimon Elkabetz Zeev Farbman Eynat Guez Shlomo Kramer Yoni Assia War doesn't make leaders. It reveals those who were leaders all along. That's why it's our aim that every startup founder/CEO can use the mental models of The Wartime CEO to become even stronger leaders -- in good times and in bad -- without going through actual war to learn it.

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I spoke with Calcalist כלכליסט last week about how the combination of high candidate volumes and diminished in-house recruiting resources are creating tough conditions for candidates. Companies are feeling overwhelmed by the quantity of applicants, so they're either not posting roles publicly or only speaking to a tiny portion of candidates, usually the ones who get an extra push from someone in their network. This is especially difficult for groups that tend to have weaker networks in the tech ecosystem - juniors, olim, racial/ethnic/religious minority groups, candidates looking to make a career change or enter hi-tech from other industries, etc. Network-based hiring has some benefits for companies, but can also reinforce existing inequalities around access to opportunities. HR and Talent teams need to think about how to balance resource limitations against the desire to continue to build diverse, inclusive teams.

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💡 Did you see who raised funds and is hiring in Israel? 🇮🇱 November was a big month for Israeli startups, with $700 million raised across 17 deals! Notably, Cyera secured a $300M Series D, doubling its valuation to $3B in just seven months.🌟 Here are 6 companies making waves with impressive funding and actively hiring: 🇮🇱 Appcharge (Tel Aviv) Founded by Maor Sason, Roei Barassi, and Shai Bouju, Appcharge raised $26M (Series A) transforming the mobile gaming. Investors include Creandum (Lead), #Supercell, Glilot Capital Partners, #BITKRAFT ventures, Moneta Ventures, and Play Ventures. ❗ Hiring: 9 openings - https://bit.ly/3ZdlmgY 👤Tagging Maor Sason, CEO & Co-founder - leading the charge at Appcharge. 🇮🇱 Eon.io (Tel Aviv) Founded by Ofir Ehrlich, Gonen Stein, and Ron Kimchi, Eon has emerged as a leader in next-generation cloud backup solutions. Eon has raised $70 million in a Series C round led by #BOND. ❗ Hiring: 3 roles in the US - https://bit.ly/3Zwz0NC 👤Tagging Avigail Gal, Head of Talent - driving people growth at EON. 🇮🇱Cyera (Tel Aviv) Founded by Yotam Segev and Tamar Bar-Ilan, Cyera has quickly positioned itself as a leader in cloud data security. With $300M raised in a Series D round, funding was led by Accel and #SapphireVentures, with participation from existing investors Sequoia Capital, #Redpoint, Coatue, and #Georgian. ❗ Hiring: 14 openings in the US and Israel - https://bit.ly/4fRJAEu 👤 Tagging Tyler Lares, People Leader 🇮🇱 TailorMed (Tel Aviv) Founded by Israel (Srulik) Dvorsky and Adam Siton, TailorMed raised $40M through equity and debt funding, led by Windham Capital Partners. TailorMed is breaking financial barriers in healthcare by improving access to essential medications. ❗ Hiring: 9 openings (Israel and US) - https://bit.ly/4igPbG4 👤 Tagging Noa Inbar Hershkovitz, VP People leading TailorMed’s Talent & HR. 🇮🇱 Spines (Tel Aviv) Founded in 2021 by Yehuda Niv, Lev David, Niv Ovdat, and Nir Kenner, Spines is revolutionizing the publishing industry with its AI-driven platform that streamlines book production, distribution, and promotion. Spines closed a $16 million Series A, led by Zeev Ventures, along with existing investors has #Aleph, M-Fund Club, #LionTree, and angel investors like Sharin Fisher ❗ Hiring: 5 openings - https://bit.ly/3B8bpte 👤 Tagging Yehuda Niv, CEO & Co-founder who is leading Spines’ mission. 🇮🇱 CommBox (Tel Aviv) Founded by Yaniv Hakim and Eli Israelov, CommBox raised $15M led by Insight Partners to scale its AI-driven customer engagement platform, trusted by brands like #Toyota and #ClalInsurance. ❗ Hiring: 9 openings - https://bit.ly/3BjN43A 👤 Tagging Lynn Kalman, VP HR & Michal Cohen, TA Manager to learn more about opportunities at CommBox. It’s always great to see significant funding fueling growth in the Israeli market! If you’re considering a career move, check out their open roles to be part of their journey! 🚀 #IsraeliTech #StartupFunding #Hiring #Innovation

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🙋‍♀️ Did you know 20% of social media advertising budgets are wasted on 80% of creatives that fail A/B tests? In an interview with Walla one of the biggest Israeli news platforms, Founder and CEO 🚀Asaf Yanai shares how Alison.ai is turning the old-school ad game on its head by providing deep insights, actionable strategies, and next-gen creative solutions at the click of a button. Trusted by industry giants like Google, Meta, Warner Bros., and LG, Alison has already proven its impact on the advertising world. Now, with a record-breaking $13.3M seed funding round, the company is set to expand even further. 💡 Why Alison? ● No more guesswork: Leverage AI to analyze and refine creative performance in real time. ● Stop wasting money: AI identifies what works, cutting waste on underperforming creatives. ● Trusted innovation: Built on cutting-edge AI technology, with tools for content generation, sentiment analysis, and more. Asaf’s vision: “As it has changed and reshaped many industries, artificial intelligence is also revolutionizing the worlds of advertising and marketing - and Alison is at the forefront of change.” Ready to disrupt the way you advertise? https://lnkd.in/efXj5xYH #AlisonAI #Innovation #AIRevolution #MarTech #AdTech #FutureOfAdvertising

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