Israeltech

Meet Lital Leshem, the battlefield-tested investor reshaping Israel’s defense tech future.From Gaza to global VC, Lital is now leading a $150M fund investing in unmanned systems, AI, sensors, and satellite comms — and she’s not shy about what’s broken in our defense ecosystem or who’s to blame.🎙️ In this punchy, no-holds-barred sit-down with Yoel Israel, she talks:Why Europe’s defense panic is Israel’s moment to leadWhat went wrong on October 7th - and how we fix itHow she’s turning Iron Dome innovators into global unicorns🔥 Plus: the controversial reason she says world peace could kill her fund...👀 Watch now and sound off:Can a startup save a country? Or is defense tech the only real path to peace?👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more uncensored stories from Israel’s frontier tech leaders.Follow IsraelTech on your fav social media feedX (Twitter): https://x.com/IsraelTechLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/israel-techFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelTech48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israeltech48/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@israeltech48Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fkZX1RJk3kRvsumMNfwZ2Follow Yoel on your fav social media feedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoeltisrael/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/X [Twitter]: https://twitter.com/YoelTIsraelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoeltisraelFollow Lital on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lital-leshem/Follow Protego Ventures on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/protego-ventures/

What if the world’s harshest climates became the next frontier for solving humanity’s biggest challenges?In this episode of IsraelTech, Yoel Israel sits down with Sivan Cohen Shachari, VP of Innovation at The DeserTech & Climate Innovation Center, to explore how Israel’s Negev desert is becoming a global proving ground for climate resilience and sustainable tech.From her early work in educational leadership to shaping policy for desert communities, Sivan is now building a one-of-a-kind ecosystem uniting academia, industry, and impact-driven entrepreneurs to tackle desertification, food insecurity, water scarcity, and more - right from Be'er Sheva.▶️ Topics Covered:- What is Desert Tech and why does it matter?- Why the Negev is a strategic launchpad for climate innovation- How desertification drives global migration - and how tech can help- The surprising role of bird migration, algae farming, and solar-agri dual-use in shaping sustainable ecosystemsWhether you're in tech, policy, or just curious about the future of climate solutions - this is a must-watch.💬 Drop a comment: Should we preserve deserts or green them? Can tech scale fast enough to outpace climate change?👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more uncensored stories from Israel’s frontier tech leaders.Follow IsraelTech on your fav social media feedX (Twitter): https://x.com/IsraelTechLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/israel-techFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelTech48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israeltech48/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@israeltech48Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fkZX1RJk3kRvsumMNfwZ2Follow Yoel on your fav social media feedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoeltisrael/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/X [Twitter]: https://twitter.com/YoelTIsraelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoeltisraelFollow Sivan on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivan-cohen-shachari/Follow The DeserTech & Climate Innovation Center, on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dcic-the-desertech-climate-innovation-center/

Stop choosing. Just do everything you want.In this episode of IsraelTech, host Yoel Israel sits down with the legendary Rona Segev, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at TLV Partners - one of Israel’s most influential VCs backing the country’s most promising deep tech and AI-driven startups.Rona shares her unfiltered thoughts on:🚀 What she really looks for in a first-check investment (hint: it’s not the deck)🧠 Why being “different” matters more than being better👩‍👧‍👦 Her journey from 24-year-old founder and mother of two sets of twins to board member at over a dozen companies (many acquired or IPO’d)🔮 How quantum computing + AI will flip the tech world on its head🧘‍♀️ Work-life balance, ADHD, and the myth of choosing between career and motherhood💡 And why founders should work with friends - and ignore the noiseThis is more than an interview. It’s a masterclass in Israeli chutzpah, grit, and vision from someone who’s shaped the ecosystem for over two decades.👇 Drop a comment: Do you think college degrees are becoming irrelevant in tech? What’s your take on quantum + AI?Follow IsraelTech on your fav social media feedX (Twitter): https://x.com/IsraelTechLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/israel-techFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelTech48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israeltech48/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@israeltech48Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fkZX1RJk3kRvsumMNfwZ2Follow Yoel on your fav social media feedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoeltisrael/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/X [Twitter]: https://twitter.com/YoelTIsraelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoeltisraelFollow Rona on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronasegev/Follow TLV Partners on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tlv-partners/

Is Israel Missing the AI Train - Or Secretly Building the Future?We sat down with Inna Tokarev Sela, founder and CEO of illumex.ai, in the heart of Tel Aviv to talk about why most enterprise decisions still aren’t based on data - and how that’s finally about to change.From building her career at SAP and Sisense to launching illumex and pioneering the “Generative Semantic Fabric,” Inna shares what no one else is saying about enterprise AI adoption, governance, and what the West (including Israel) must do to stay in the AI game.We get into:~ Why the AI gold rush is missing the point~ The surprising statistic Fortune 500 execs don’t want you to hear~ Whether solo founders can outplay founding teams~ What it’ll take for Israel to close the gap on Gen AI🔥 Inna doesn’t hold back - and neither do we.👇 Drop a comment: Should Israel go all in on foundational AI models - or focus on becoming the world’s best in applied AI?🔔 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inside looks at the world’s most dynamic tech ecosystem!Follow IsraelTech on your fav social media feedX (Twitter): https://x.com/IsraelTechLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/israel-techFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelTech48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israeltech48/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@israeltech48Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fkZX1RJk3kRvsumMNfwZ2Follow Yoel on your fav social media feedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoeltisrael/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/X [Twitter]: https://twitter.com/YoelTIsraelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoeltisraelFollow Inna on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/innatokarev/Follow illume on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/illumexai/

🇮🇱 Legacy, Leadership & the Future of Israeli Innovation | Chemi Peres on IsraelTechWhat does it mean to carry the Peres name in today’s Israel - and what does the future of defense, venture capital, and peacebuilding look like through the eyes of someone shaping all three?In this rare sit-down, Chemi Peres - Managing Partner & Co-Founder of Pitango Venture Capital, Chairman of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, and son of Israeli visionary Shimon Peres - opens up like never before.We talk about:- His journey from IAF pilot to VC powerhouse- The untold story of Israel’s canceled Lavi fighter jet project and U.S. pressure behind it- How failures (and getting fired) drove him to build Israel's largest VC firm- The rise of dual-use defense tech and Israel’s advantage in AI and innovation- The vision behind the Peres Center’s Institute for the FutureWhy the next frontier is going from unicorns 🦄 to giraffes 🦒 - yes, trillion-dollar companies!And he doesn’t shy away from controversy - from legacy to geopolitics to the tech future of war and peace.👉 Watch, comment, and join the conversation: Is Israel ready to lead the future of global tech - again?- - - 📍 Filmed at Pitango HQ🎙 Hosted by Yoel Israel🔔 Subscribe for more insider stories from Israel’s tech elite

ISRAELI TECH’S SECRET WEAPON: TOO BOLD FOR BUSINESS OR BUILT TO WIN?In this hard-hitting conversation, we sit down with Jason Wolf, Co Founder & Managing Partner at Iron Nation, to talk about what really makes Israeli startups unstoppable - and why the global investment world is sleeping on some of the best deals out there.💰 The $20M fund that kept Israeli startups alive after October 7💡 Why Israeli chutzpah is a business superpower (or is it a liability?)📉 The shocking truth about what industries are being underfunded🌍 How Iron Nation is reshaping global investment in Israeli innovationJason isn’t just another investor - he’s a leader with a mission. From his time as a special forces officer to working with at-risk youth and now driving innovation in Israeli tech, he’s always focused on making a positive impact. With years of experience scaling startups and leading through challenges, Jason is passionate about turning bold visions into actionable strategies that deliver both financial and social impact. And now, he’s betting big on the future of Israeli tech.🔥 What’s YOUR take? Is Israeli chutzpah an advantage or a turnoff in business? Sound off in the comments!🔔 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inside looks at the world’s most dynamic tech ecosystem!Follow IsraelTech on your fav social media feedX (Twitter): https://x.com/IsraelTechLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/israel-techFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelTech48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israeltech48/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@israeltech48Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fkZX1RJk3kRvsumMNfwZ2Follow Yoel on your fav social media feedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoeltisrael/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/X [Twitter]: https://twitter.com/YoelTIsraelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoeltisraelFollow Jason on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsnwlf/Follow Iron Nation on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ironnation/

Hillel Fuld, a startup scaling expert named by Forbes as a pioneer of Israel's tech transformation, delivers a candid perspective on the current state of Israeli startups. He identifies common pitfalls that founders face and emphasizes the need for strategic evolution beyond mere innovation. Hillel also highlights the potential of artificial intelligence as Israel’s next frontier and discusses the resilience of the tech ecosystem, providing insights into how startups can thrive in a competitive landscape.

Israeli Founders: Want to Crack the U.S. Market? This VC Thinks You’re Doing It Wrong. 💥Israel’s startup founders are among the best in the world, but when it comes to scaling in the U.S., the playbook isn’t always clear. Lia Cromwell, Partner at UpWest, sits down with IsraelTech to reveal what most Israeli entrepreneurs get wrong about breaking into the U.S. market - and how to fix it.🎤 In this no-filter interview, we talk about:✅ Why relocating to the U.S. is non-negotiable for Israeli startups (and what happens if you don’t)✅ The biggest cultural missteps Israeli founders make when pitching to American VCs & customers✅ The secret to winning top-tier U.S. clients (Hint: It’s not just about the tech)✅ How Israelis actually handle failure better than AmericansUpWest has backed 100+ Israeli startups that have raised over $3B in follow-on funding—this is a rare inside look at what it really takes to succeed.🚀 What’s YOUR take? Should Israeli founders be required to relocate to the U.S. to succeed? Drop a comment below and let’s debate! ⬇️"Follow IsraelTech on your fav social media feedX (Twitter): https://x.com/IsraelTechLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/israel-techFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelTech48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israeltech48/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@israeltech48Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fkZX1RJk3kRvsumMNfwZ2Follow Yoel on your fav social media feedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoeltisrael/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/X [Twitter]: https://twitter.com/YoelTIsraelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoeltisraelFollow Lia on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liacromwell/Follow UpWest on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upwest-vc/

From Microsoft to Magenta VC: Ran Levitzky’s Journey in Israeli Tech 🇮🇱💡What does it take to spot and invest in the next wave of Israeli unicorns? Ran Levitzky, Co-Founder & General Partner at Magenta Venture Partners, has spent years shaping the Israeli tech ecosystem from every angle—software engineering at Microsoft, product leadership at Google & EA, and venture capital at Viola Ventures before launching Magenta.In this exclusive IsraelTech sit-down, Ran breaks down:💡 The Israeli-Japanese VC collaboration behind Magenta and why it’s different🚀 How Israeli startups turn crisis into opportunity🧠 Why AI innovation isn’t coming from the IDF like cybersecurity did—and how to fix it📈 The biggest investment trends in Industry 4.0, Fintech, and Enterprise SaaSIs Israel missing its chance to lead in AI? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🔔 Subscribe for more exclusive insights from Israel’s top tech leaders!Follow IsraelTech on your fav social media feedX (Twitter): https://x.com/IsraelTechLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/israel-techFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelTech48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israeltech48/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@israeltech48Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fkZX1RJk3kRvsumMNfwZ2Follow Yoel on your fav social media feedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoeltisrael/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/X [Twitter]: https://twitter.com/YoelTIsraelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoeltisraelFollow Ran on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranlevitzky/Follow Magenta Venture Partners on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/magentavp/

Wildfires are getting worse. Can Israeli tech stop them before they spread?In this explosive sit-down, we talk with Gadi Benjamini, Co-Founder & CEO of FireDome, a startup that’s taking an Iron Dome-style approach to wildfire defense. With AI-powered fire suppression systems, FireDome detects, contains, and stops fires before they destroy homes and lives.🔥 Why does this matter?California’s latest wildfires have already burned 16,000 buildings and caused $250 billion in damages. Insurance companies are pulling out. Communities are left defenseless. FireDome offers a game-changing solution—but will the world adopt it fast enough?👀 In this interview, we cover:🚒 The terrifying reality of California’s wildfires🧠 How FireDome predicts and suppresses fires using AI💡 What’s missing in wildfire defense today (and why it’s costing lives)🇮🇱 Why Israeli tech is leading the way in climate resilience💬 Could FireDome be the Iron Dome for wildfires? Drop a comment below and let us know what you think!📢 Watch Now & Subscribe to IsraelTech for more exclusive insights into the world of Israeli innovation.Hosted by Yoel Israel.Follow IsraelTech on your fav social media feedX (Twitter): https://x.com/IsraelTechLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/israel-techFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelTech48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israeltech48/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@israeltech48Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fkZX1RJk3kRvsumMNfwZ2Follow Yoel on your fav social media feedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoeltisrael/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/X [Twitter]: https://twitter.com/YoelTIsraelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoeltisraelFollow Gadi on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gadi-benjamini-a5544520a/Follow FireDome on your fav social media feedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firedomereclaimtomorrow/