Lia Cromwell

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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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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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.

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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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Want to be part of the Web3 ecosystem? Do you see yourself as one of the next 100 Israeli Web3 startups? At Entrée Capital, we work with founders and invest at every stage to help bring your startup from zero to one. If you're an Israeli building something big, feel free to message me here or on Telegram (@TomerNiv). #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #startups #vc

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The Israeli high-tech sector is strong and will emerge even stronger after the crisis. Institutional investors in Israel must, however, invest more to help the industry. Over the past decade, the high-tech market has proven to be highly profitable, evidenced by numerous mergers and acquisitions. High-tech must be a significant component of investment portfolios. Our role is to revitalize the market. Without the support of institutional investors, it will be challenging to attract foreign investors. Yesterday, I was privileged to speak on the Alternative Investments panel moderated by Roee Bergman from Calcalist כלכליסט at the Future Investments 2024 conference by Calcalist and Migdal Group. I want to extend my gratitude to my fellow panelists: Keren Kalifa, CEO of G City Israel; Amir Hessel, Founding Partner of Arbel Fund; Dr. Navot Bar, CEO of Keystone Reit; and Mor Assia, Co-Founder and Partner at iAngels, for an inspiring discussion. #HighTech #Investment #Israel #InstitutionalInvestors #Innovation

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Fundraising is the number one focus for Israeli #founders. In taking feedback from my recent survey, https://lnkd.in/efvpYYCT, fundraising seems to be what most founders are focused on this quarter. The beginning of 2024 has been much more active on the #VC side, and the market seems to have stabilized. This is good news for many CEOs who have delayed #fundraising to the point where they have more to show… and where the timing feels more “right”. Yet, navigating the world of fundraising for early-stage Israeli startups in today's economic climate is a challenging endeavor. Rounds take longer to close. #Investors look for more data points. Relationship-building between founders and investors is a real thing again. Here are some points to keep in mind as you get ready to raise your next round: Get your story right - Seriously. I see many founders creating complicated decks and diving into unnecessary details. Make it simple... investors are flooded with decks, emails, texts, and phone calls. Getting the story right, and grabbing their attention is a good place to start, no matter the stage of the company. Leverage your network - The importance of a strong network cannot be overstated, especially now. Reach out to your current investors, advisors, and strong connections for advice, warm intros, and potential funding opportunities. Many of them cannot just open doors, but follow-up with their contacts after the connection is made. Backchanneling is one of the most underestimated elements of fundraising. Do your research - Don’t just ask for an intro to fund X, Y, or Z. Which partner in the firm is most interested in your space? How many investments have they made in the past 12 months? Does the fund have fresh capital or is it towards the end of their investment period? These are all important things to know before asking for an intro or meeting with VCs. Resilience is paramount - Fundraising can be a long and difficult process, but resilience and adaptability are key. Keep refining your pitch and keep your eye on the ball. Eventually, a lot of it is about consistency, and not giving up.  Remember, fundraising is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay positive, stay focused, stay connected, and keep your energies high. As we’re deep into Q2, many funds are looking for interesting opportunities and startups to invest in. We, at 97212 Ventures, are extremely active so feel free to reach out if you’re at the pre-seed or seed stage. #venturecapital #startups #nyctech

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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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Roy Rubin and I founded R-Squared Ventures as a natural extension of our experiences as founders, CEOs, and close friends investing together as angel investors. Over two decades, we built deep relationships within the tech and venture communities in Israel and the US. After our personal exits, venture investors and founders invited us to join their cap tables - as advisors, board members, and angel investors. This gave us the chance to engage deeply with early-stage founders, and it quickly became clear: our passion wasn’t just about investing - it was about becoming true partners. Our approach centers on open, honest, founder-to-founder communication, with a no-nonsense attitude and actionable support. Whether it’s pricing, hiring, product, or go-to-market strategies, or the daily challenges founders face, we’ve been in their shoes and are here to help when needed, and preempt challenges whenever possible. We strive to be the most trusted and close partners - offering sound, experienced advice, especially on topics and challenges that founders face and sometimes hesitate to share with boards or lead investors. These relationships, rooted in trust and mutual respect, are extremely impactful, and often evolve beyond business into friendships. After making quite a few personal investments together and seeing our results and deal flow grow, we decided to institutionalize our efforts. In 2021, we launched our first fund, followed by the second in 2022 (and the third on the horizon). Backed by over 85 exceptional LPs - industry executives, investors, and founders who extend their networks, experience, and support to our portfolio companies - we’re committed to standing by founders and the tech ecosystems, continuing this journey for years to come.

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🚀 We're One of Dun’s 100 Top 20 Startups to Work For – Again! 🎉 For the second year in a row, Jit has been recognized as one of the top startups to work for in Israel! But this isn’t just an award – it’s proof of what we’re building here: a team-driven culture that’s all about innovation, collaboration, and growth. 💡 At Jit, we don’t just solve challenges; we redefine them. We celebrate every win, support each other through the tough moments, and have a blast along the way. With a team-first mindset, we’ve created a home where ideas flourish, careers thrive, and impact is made every single day. 🌟 Looking to grow, make a difference, and love where you work? We’re hiring! Check out our open positions in the first comment – your next adventure starts here. 👇 Shai Horovitz Aviram Shmueli Daniel Koch Ilanit Nitzan Gilad Barzilay Michal Lipschitz Rob DiNuzzo Chris Reeves

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I’m humbled to be recognized as a Champion by RUNI Ventures, alongside an inspiring group of fellow RUNI alumni who made their mark in the tech world, founding & leading exceptional tech companies! In case you haven’t heard, Reichman University launched RUNI Ventures, a pre-seed VC focused on supporting early-stage founders. It’s an awesome, founders-first platform designed to fuel growth and connection with exclusive resources. Tomer Salvi, Gilad Kapelushnik, and I founded Segoma before this amazing initiative came to fruition, but if you're looking for a Founders-First VC that fosters growth, connection, and exclusive resources, you should definitely check them out! Here’s to championing big ideas, bold moves, and a brighter future! #IamAChampion Hila Rom 🎗 Tomer Golan Romi Oppenheim Yossi Maaravi

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We all have choices. Israeli entrepreneurs choose to thrive

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A big thank you to Kerry Leigh Miller and IDA Ventures for inviting me to participate in a panel discussion on Israeli tech during SF TECH WEEK by a16z We discussed the venture landscape in Israel, and covered a lot, so I wanted to share some key takeaways… One of the main topics we discussed was the unique attributes of Israeli founders. Their resilience, coupled with world-class technical expertise and a commercially-minded approach, makes investing in Israeli #entrepreneurs compelling for many #investors We also discussed the importance of team-building during the startup journey. Israeli founders, with their often strong and charismatic personalities and deep understanding of their markets, excel at this. They can translate complex technical innovations into practical, market-ready solutions Our conversation also highlighted the impact of Israeli universities on tech, as a recent study showed that Tel Aviv University ranks second on the universities’ unicorn founder list… so lots of incredible potential from this region During times of conflict, the resilience of Israeli entrepreneurs has become even more pronounced, but we also have to acknowledge the country’s current challenges Overall, the panel was a reminder of the strength and potential of the Israeli startup scene, so I'm excited to see what the future holds, even during this challenging time for the country Thank you to my fellow panelists and participants, and all those who attended… looking forward to participating in future panels on the topic of Israeli tech! Sonia Petecka Omer Fein Marla Sofer Edo Perry Oded Hermoni Foreign Trade Administration - Ministry of Economy & Industry Knomee Elements World J-Ventures Fund #sftechweek #startupnation #venturecapital

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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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Interesting new report by Startup Nation Central on the Israeli tech ecosystem at war, one year on. Israeli startups raised $7.8 Billion since October 7. One point that got my attention is this survey answer from 230 companies and 49 VC investors on the level of confidence in the Israeli tech ecosystem's ability to deliver amidst challenging external circumstances. 72% of investors and 56% of companies are confident or very confident. That being said, 49% of Israeli tech companies reported investment cancelations due to the war and only 31% expressed confidence that they will be able to raise money next year. "Despite what you read in the news, Israel continues to draw investors seeking bold, determined solutions to global challenges. With attractive valuations and immense growth potential, the Israeli tech ecosystem remains resilient—no matter the circumstances." Link to the report in the first comment. 👇

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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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2023 was a tough year for Israeli startups. After a few slow quarters, the Israeli startup ecosystem is starting to show signs of recovery and stability. According to the latest tech review for Q1 2024 (by LeumiTech and IVC Data and Insights): - Israeli startups raised $1.74 billion in Q1 2024, just 1% below Q1 2023 - Q1 2024 had more seed rounds than each of the 3 previous quarters in 2023 - Cyber dominated in M&A and large rounds Link to the my post (and the report) in the first comment 👇

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Over this past year, we’ve learned anew the strength that we have as a nation. And if you’ve read recent headlines regarding funding rounds and exits of Israeli startups, you will see a clear demonstration of resilience in action. According to a recent report by Startup Nation Central, the Israel tech ecosystem has recently completed: - 220 private investment rounds - An estimated $3.1 billion raised - $3.7 billion in M&A transactions - 20 new venture capital funds were established, raising $1.7 billion And it’s not just internal optimism. A recent poll conducted by the global accounting company Ernst & Young showed that about 60% of multinational companies expressed confidence in the Israeli tech industry. Some might say that what happens in Israel is simply miraculous. I say that it’s because of the resilience, grit, determination, creativity, innovation and perseverance of our people. And Google Cloud Israel is proud to support our hi-tech community, from early stage to enterprise and everyone in the middle. 76 years and counting… Israeli tech continues to deliver No Matter What. https://lnkd.in/dbpvwcuW. #GoogleCloud #CloudForIsrael #StartupNation #Resilience #NoMatterWhat

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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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