📰 BizPortal Publication: Good news for high-tech entrepreneurs: The High-Tech Association has launched the Israeli Startup Forum.

According to BizPortal, The Israeli High-Tech Association of the Manufacturers’ Association launched the “Israeli Startups Forum” today, aimed at providing professional support and solutions for young entrepreneurs and startups. This initiative arises amidst economic and security instability, offering guidance to early-stage companies.

The launch event, hosted at Herzog Fox & Neeman’s offices in Tel Aviv, featured an investors’ panel discussing challenges and opportunities for young startups. Panelists included Gili Elkin, co-founder of ICI Fund; Yael Greenbaum-Cohen, partner at aMoon; Hanan Brand, VP and Head of Startup Division at the Israel Innovation Authority; Rinat Berman, CEO of Fundit; and Ziv Elul, entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of Pery.

Highlights from the panel:

• Hanan Brand emphasized optimism despite challenges, noting continued confidence from venture funds and the resilience of Israeli entrepreneurship.
• Gili Elkin shared insights into fundraising difficulties exacerbated by global economic issues. She stressed the importance of strong chemistry between founders and investors and highlighted that her fund prioritizes the people behind the startups, especially in early-stage investments.
• Yael Greenbaum-Cohen compared the founder-investor relationship to a marriage, emphasizing trust and transparency. She advised startups to diligently research potential investors and create compelling, well-structured presentations.
• Rinat Berman noted a shift towards emphasizing profitability and clear growth milestones, as investors increasingly seek not just financial returns but emotional and intellectual value from their contributions.
• Ziv Elul discussed the pitfalls of overvaluations and internal team conflicts, urging founders to focus on maturity, alignment, and building strong, capable teams. He also addressed strategies to navigate geopolitical biases in international fundraising while keeping intellectual property rooted in Israel.

The discussion highlighted both the resilience and adaptability of the Israeli startup ecosystem, with panelists expressing optimism for its continued growth and innovation.