In the heart of the bustling city that never sleeps, the Israeli tech ecosystem showcased its resilience, adaptability, and groundbreaking innovations during the recent "Gateway to Growth" roadshow in New York City from January 16-18.
It was a great few days. The roadshow, attended by over 200 New York investors, VC funds, corporations, and ecosystem leaders, featured esteemed guests and panelists from JPMorgan & Chase, Barclays, Citi Ventures, T-Mobile, Warner Music, Paramount, and more. We had a compelling agenda of 10 events, with talks from industry experts, pitches from Israeli startups, countless 1-1 meetings, encompassing visits to IDB Bank offices, Reuters news agency, Arizent, Evolution Equity Partners. And all the attendees had the honor of participating in the Opening Bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange. This experience was truly unforgettable.
Despite facing challenges amid a complex geopolitical landscape, Israeli startups stood tall, demonstrating their commitment to post-traumatic growth and the power of open innovation. This blog post provides a glimpse into the transformative experience, featuring insights from our team members and some event participants.
Shai Lev, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Classiq, Participating Startup
“It was my pleasure to participate in the Gateway to Growth road show organized by Axis Innovation. The perfect organization of the tour was shadowed only by the interesting and valuable meetings that took place. The mix of startups, companies, and investors added to the tour's success and played to the strengths of the Israeli ecosystem.”
Ori Entis, CEO & Co-Founder at Staircase.ai, Participating Startup
“The Gateway to Growth program stands out as an invaluable experience for any Israeli startup leader. It offers a chance to engage deeply with fellow founders, exchanging ideas and experiences, and to connect with investors and international industry leaders. All this takes place in a close-knit, professional setting in New York City, creating unforgettable moments. The experience left me with lasting friendships, potential business opportunities, and prospective investors.”
Ilya Alper, Vice President - CTO Enterprise Architect at Barclays, shared three key takeaways from his experience at the New York Stock Exchange with Israeli tech startups. First, he lauded the impressive innovation and solutions presented by
these startups, emphasizing their commitment to delivering value. Second, Ilya recognized the exceptional resilience of Israeli tech, especially in navigating challenges amidst a hot conflict. Lastly, he highlighted the power of global collaboration demonstrated by Israeli startups, emphasizing their willingness to engage in partnerships, share expertise, and collectively tackle challenges.
“Excited about the collaborative possibilities and looking forward to seeing the continued impact of Israeli tech on the global stage!”, - mentioned Ilya Alper in his post.
Jason Weiss, COO & Dealflow Manager at Axis Innovation, found inspiration during the roadshow by introducing a term that resonated deeply: "Post-Traumatic Growth" or PTG, introduced by Amir Haramaty, CEO @Aiola, one of the presenting startups. “This is the concept of how people can take a traumatic situation and find a way to grow, give, and not let the past bring you down. After these 3 days in New York with 8 incredible startup entrepreneurs - I’ve seen and felt the true grit, determination, and resiliency of the Israeli startup ecosystem”, - says Jason on his Linkedin page.
“We hope and pray for better days soon, but I am more bullish and confident than ever in Israeli tech and our ability to innovate, solve challenges, and grow to be better than ever before. To see new light from the recent darkness, and to be a true light unto the world”.
Imri Eisner, Partner @DLA Piper
“Congratulations to Axis Innovation for a great event and to all the outstanding companies presenting! Very inspiring morning of Israeli tech”.
Ed Frank, CEO at Axis Innovation, reflected on the success of the "Gateway to Growth" tour, emphasizing the importance of open innovation.
“It was truly a successful and memorable event for all involved!, - says Ed Frank in his Linkedin article. - As an open innovation consultancy, we guide corporations in identifying innovative technology startups, bridging the gap between corporate needs and technological solutions. We are a specialist technology scout, helping investors and corporations identify innovative technology startups from Israel and beyond”.
In conclusion, the Israeli Tech NYC Roadshow 2024 not only showcased the impressive innovations emerging from the Israeli tech ecosystem but also highlighted the industry's resilience, adaptability, and commitment to collaboration on the global stage. The event left an indelible mark, celebrating the spirit of Startup Nation and the power of open innovation to shape a brighter future.