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Welcome to The Israeli Startup Review, a curated newsletter where I share insights from thought leaders, news, and opportunities around Israel's tech ecosystem. Every other week you’ll receive timely analysis from off-the-beaten-path, perspectives from the ecosystem, and selected opportunities to further engage with Israel, the Startup Nation.

No words for this unspeakable tragedy. The Bibas family’s abduction, with haunting images of the red-haired children, became one of the most heartbreaking symbols of October 7th… and is etched in our memory. Their confirmed deaths mark another devastating chapter in this ongoing conflict.

May their memory be a blessing.

If you're attending SXSW at the beginning of March and want to connect at the festival message me directly.

From Idea to IPO: What VC-Founder Partnerships Look Like in 2025: Join Eyal Bino, Founder Partner of 97212 Ventures in conversation with Micah Rosenbloom General Partner, Founder Collective where they'll discuss early-stage investing and share actionable advice for founders seeking their ideal VC partner. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insider tips and best practices from leading VCs with a proven track record of supporting early-stage startups. Wed, Feb 26th, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EST. Have questions? They’ll answer them live! Register here.

LinkedIn Ghostwriting: My team and I have been helping founders, investors, and executives amplify their voice, share their expertise, and build a highly visible personal brand, in order to generate opportunities online and in person. If becoming recognized as a thought leader in your space is something that you would be interested in exploring further, book a time with me. We’ll discuss your content strategy, and do a complimentary audit on your LinkedIn account. To speak with me click here.

Despite war and tension, Israeli high-tech had a great year: Despite so many factors working against it.

Israeli AI cybersecurity startup valued at $1.1 billion after major funding round: Cyber continues to shine.

Israeli startups make global plans after key role in war: There will be a day after.

Israel’s economy grew 1% in 2024, exceeding estimates, but high-tech exports plunged 36.8%: We are not out of the woods yet.

The man behind the hostage deal breakthrough: He is helping bring ALL of them home.

Tamir Goodman is unstoppable.

New report on the Israeli startup ecosystem and the tech workforce by Dealigence, Poalim Tech and Greenfield Partners.

Thank you to Avi Lewis for this exhaustive (and updated) list: Startups + tech companies all actively hiring in Israel:

- Wiz (TLV)- Fireblocks (TLV)- monday.com (TLV)- Apple (Herzliya/Haifa/JLM)- Via (TLV / JLM)- Reeco (TLV)- Cato Networks (TLV)- Gett (TLV)- Rise (TLV)- BioCatch (TLV)- Autofleet (TLV)- DriveNets (Ra'anana)- PassportCard (Netanya)- Loox (Ramat Gan)- Cytactic (TLV)- Nagish (TLV)- Artlist (TLV)- WSC Sports (Ramat Gan)- Claroty (TLV)- SpoTower (TLV)- NeuReality (TLV / Cesearea)- Cyera (TLV)- Personetics (TLV)- Varonis (Herzliya)- Lendbuzz (TLV)- 365Scores (TLV)- Akamai Technologies (TLV)- Armis (TLV)- Canditech (TLV)- GYTPOL (TLV)- Scopio Labs (TLV)- Prompt Security (TLV)- Solargik (JLM)- 2bcloud (TLV)- Resident (TLV)- Komodor (TLV)- Deepchecks (TLV)- Imagry | Autonomous Driving (Haifa)- Cross River Israel ???? ???? ????? (JLM)- Dynamic Yield by Mastercard (Ramat Gan)

NEW YEAR, NEW JOB: After a turbulent couple of years, the Israeli jobs market finally looks like it's starting to recover. They recently reached a 12-month high of 1,500 open positions on the Secret Tel Aviv Jobs Board with lots of awesome new jobs in Sales, Marketing, Account Management, Operations, and Product. Check out the Jobs Board for all the latest jobs, and sign up to their weekly Jobs Emails and Jobs WhatsApp Groups to get notified when a new job opens.

Third Thursday Tech Schmooze | February: Join them for their February Third Thursday Schmooze! Mix and mingle with other Jews at NYC's leading tech companies, VC Firms and startups. Date: Thursday, Feb. 20th. 7:00 PM. Venue: Revealed upon RSVP (In The City, New York). Register here.

Fireside Chat with Ra'anan Cohen: Navigating the Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster: Join them for an inspiring evening with Ra'anan Cohen, a veteran in the Israeli Startup Nation. Delve into his journey from overcoming imposter syndrome to founding a company that thrived and went public. In this candid fireside chat, Ra'anan will share valuable lessons learned from his experiences, including the challenges and triumphs of building a startup from the ground up. Feb 24, 9:00?AM?(MST). Ashtrom Port (LYFE Towers), David Ben Gurion Rd 1, Bnei Brak. Register here.

From Roadmap to Reality: Live PMF Application with Adi Shmorak & JLM Founders: How do you find the right customers? How do you validate that your product truly fits the market? And how do you avoid wasting time and money on the wrong directions? In this workshop, you’ll learn: A clear breakdown of the journey to Product Market Fit. Practical tools to define your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and Value Proposition. A structured method to test assumptions and improve mark. Feb 24, 11:00?AM?–?2:00?PM (EST). Hansen House, 14 Gdalyahu Alon Street, Jerusalem. Register here.

From Idea to IPO: What VC-Founder Partnerships Look Like in 2025: Join Eyal Bino, Founder Partner of 97212 Ventures in conversation with Micah Rosenbloom General Partner, Founder Collective where they'll discuss early-stage investing and share actionable advice for founders seeking their ideal VC partner. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insider tips and best practices from leading VCs with a proven track record of supporting early-stage startups. Wed, Feb 26th, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EST. Have questions? They’ll answer them live! Register here.

The Impact of the War on Israel’s Economy and the Job Market: Join them for an eye-opening talk with Hillel Fuld, one of Israel’s leading tech influencers, as he unpacks how the war has reshaped Israel’s economy and job market. A thriving global tech hub, Israel now faces unprecedented shifts in investment, employment, and innovation. Is it all for the good? Hillel will break down what’s changed, what’s next, and how startups, businesses, and working professionals can adapt to this new reality. Starts on Wednesday, February 26 · 7pm IST. Capella Cocktail Bar, Hagag Tower, HaArba’a 28, South Tower, 14th Floor. Register here.

Arab Voices For Israel: Join them for an unforgettable event with three remarkable speakers sharing their unique perspectives on peace, activism, and diplomacy. Featured speakers: Dalia Ziada – Author, writer and activist Jonathan Nizar Elkhoury – Israeli Lebanese Chrisitan activist and advocate for Israel Fatema Al Harabi – Peace Activist, and Gulf Affairs Director at Sharaka. Tuesday February 25, 2025 7:30 pm. New York. Location upon registration. Register here.

JFE Founder and Investor Dinner: JFE Network is excited to host their first curated Investor and Founder Dinner experience of 2025, bringing together early stage investors and founders across the following sectors: Healthcare, Fintech, Cyber/Civic Tech, and AI/Deeptech.?Founders and investors will have an opportunity to meet each other at curated dinner tables segmented by industry and sector focus. The first hour will be a networking reception followed by a sit down dinner. Wednesday, February 26th, 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM PST. Register to See Address. San Francisco, California. Register here.

Yissum Webinar: From Crisis to Cure: Novel Approaches to Developing Drugs Against Depression and PTSD: Join them on March 4, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST (7:00 PM Israel time) for a webinar hosted by Yissum and American Friends of the Hebrew University. This presentation features Professor Gali Umschweif, a distinguished researcher at the Hebrew University and a leader in neuropharmacology and mental health research. Mar 4, 2025 12:00 PM?EST. Register here.

FinTech-Aviv Annual Summit 2025: Join them for the most prominent Fintech event of the year on Thursday, March 6, at Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange Conference Center! FinTech-Aviv Annual Summit brings together Startups, Investors and Corporates, seeking quality content, networking, and ground breaking FinTech innovations! Thursday, March 6, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM IST. Tel Aviv Stock Exchange - conference center. 2 Ahuzat Bayit St, Tel Aviv · Tel Aviv-Yafo. Register here.

JFE Spring Startup and Tech Mixer LA: JFE Network is excited to bring their community together for a Spring Networking Mixer! Join us on March 6th, from 6:30-9:00 PM at a premier events space in Santa Monica, just steps away from the ocean, for an evening of networking and connection. Thursday, March 6 · 6:30 - 9pm PST. Main St Santa Monica, CA. Register here.

PURIM IN COLOR at MARQUEE NYC: PURIM IN COLOR 2025 at MARQUEE NY. Party with them on Thursday, March 13th at Marquee - NYC's Most Famous Nightclub. Early Bird Tickets Available for a very limited time. Sounds by Gorj, Akhy & Charel. NYCs Hottest Club - First event here for the YJP Community in over 5 years! 900+ People Expected. NYC's Best YJP Crowd. Open Format, Israeli, Top 40, Hip Hop & House. March 13 · 10:30pm EDT. Marquee New York, 289 10th Avenue New York. Tickets here.

PURIM BALL at SONY HALL: Join them and celebrate Purim Ball at one of NYC’s largest nightclubs Sony Hall. Tickets and tables will be completely sold out for this event do not wait to purchase tickets. Costumes are recommended but are not enforced. EARLY ARRIVAL IS HIGHLY SUGGESTED! DOORS WILL OPEN AT 11PM. March 15 · 11pm EDT. Sony Hall, 235 West 46th Street New York. Tickets here.

Elevate your LinkedIn profile and establish yourself as a thought leader with the help of Jonathan 'Yoni' Frenkel, a LinkedIn ghostwriter, content strategist, and the founder of YKC Media. To schedule a complimentary consultation with Yoni, click here.