What's Your Number?

The discussion dives into Israel's economy, juggling the war's aftermath and an election year's uncertainty. Rising Crembo prices signal inflation, while a strong shekel threatens tech exports. The housing market is under pressure with rising rents and a lack of budget, complicating reforms. Political populism takes center stage, with risky spending proposals and stalled privatizations. Meanwhile, the taxi market could see changes with Uber entering, but illegal operations remain a concern. The hosts wrap up by examining who really benefits in this election-driven landscape.

Ariel Karlinsky, a PhD student at Hebrew University and researcher on Israeli public finance, reveals the surprising dynamics of Israel's three economies—one prosperous, two resembling the developing world. He discusses how welfare policies have created significant fiscal imbalances and what this means for the future. Ariel analyzes the employment challenges among the Haredi population and highlights necessary reforms in taxation and education. The conversation dives into whether Israel can change incentivization to ensure a sustainable economic future.

Daniel Schreiber, co-founder and CEO of Lemonade and chairman of the Mosaic Institute for AI Policy, dives deep into the societal impacts of AI. He discusses how AI could disrupt labor markets but also create economic surplus. With a focus on proactive policies, he argues that society deserves a share of the AI-generated wealth to prevent inequality. Schreiber envisions a future where AI enables creative pursuits while stressing the moral obligation to address basic needs first, especially in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Michael Eisenberg, a venture capitalist known for his work on Israel's economic strategy, discusses the bold vision for Israel's future. He argues that Israel can double its GDP within a decade by modernizing bureaucracy and leveraging AI to cut costs. Eisenberg emphasizes the need for a cultural shift away from mediocrity and urges the Jewish diaspora to engage in building Israel's economy. He also highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and quick actions to secure Israel's place in the global AI and semiconductor landscape.

Natti Ginor, Head of Israel Investment Banking at Jefferies and organizer of the Tech Trek event, shares insights into Israel's economy. He reveals that 2025 private tech fundraising has outpaced previous years, reaching over $13 billion. M&A activity hit $15 billion, showcasing a vibrant market. The discussion explores Israel's dominance in cyber tech, the challenges in biotech, and how political uncertainty impacts markets. With positive shifts in the TASE and a strong shekel, Natti emphasizes the need for continuous investor engagement.

Find us on:📺 YouTube📸 Instagram💼 LinkedIn𝕏 Michal on X𝕏 Yonatan on X📩 Write to us here📈Our WYNDEX update for today:The WYNDEX is back in the green for a second week in a row, up 3.29%, to be exact. That puts it ahead of both the S&P and NASDAQ (0.69 and 1.39%, respectively). Monday.com made a 9.09% jump back up after December 4th Guggenheim report with a Strong BUY ($250 target price). In the red is ZIM, which shed ~2% with a takeover bid by German Giant Hapag Lloyd competing with the Unger/management buyout offer which seems to lowball the market perception. Two cyber companies, Varonis and Sentinel One, were also down.🎯Our Big Shorts for today:German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Israel this week. The European leader met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials, and also spoke about that temporary & partial arms embargo on Israel, which Germany lifted last month once the ceasefire was in effect. We unpack the visit from this key partner.Eurovision decision: A decision has been made to allow Israel to stay in the 2026 competition. But several countries (including Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands) subsequently said they would boycott the competition as a result. What does this mean for Israeli isolation vs. integration as we move forward, and beyond the Eurovision itself?🔎And our Long Play today is focused on Israel’s 2026 budget, which was passed by the cabinet just a few days ago. We’ll go over what you need to know - what’s in, what’s out, what’s controversial, etc. And what the next steps are for the budget. 📅 New episodes drop every WednesdayWhat’s Your Number? is hosted from Tel Aviv and Silicon Valley by Yonatan Adiri — Israeli entrepreneur and former advisor to President Shimon Peres — and Michal Lev-Ram, Israeli-born Silicon Valley-based tech journalist and contributing editor at Fortune. Together, they unpack the headlines, trends, and data driving Israel’s  economy and its future. ⚖️ LEGAL DISCLAIMERThis podcast offers general business and economic information and is not a comprehensive summary for investment decisions. It does not recommend or solicit any investment strategy or security. 🎧 CREDITS:Hosts - YONATAN ADIRI and MICHAL LEV-RAMExecutive Producer - ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDYSound and Video editing - MARTIN HUERGOMusic - MIDNIGHT GENERATION

Seth Siegel, a renowned water-policy expert and author of 'Let There Be Water,' dives into the critical water issues affecting the Middle East. He explains Iran's water crisis, linking it to agricultural mismanagement and political choices. Seth highlights how past cooperation with Israel could have improved water systems. He also shares Israel's multifaceted approach to water management, including desalination. Innovations like drones and solar-covered canals are discussed as future solutions, emphasizing collaboration as key to overcoming challenges.

Join Joy Sisisky, CEO of the Jewish Community Federation of the Bay Area, as she discusses the surge in philanthropy after recent events, rallying $25 million for emergency support. Sean Maguire from Sequoia Capital shares insights on Israeli startup resilience and how recent geopolitical tensions have influenced investment trends. The panel delves into the shifts in donor behavior, the impact of antisemitism on giving, and the promising future of Israeli tech, highlighting new partnerships and opportunities for growth in emerging markets.

Yevgeny Dibrov, co-founder and CEO of Armis, discusses the explosive growth of device vulnerabilities that inspired his cybersecurity company. He shares insights on raising $435 million in pre-IPO funding and why many Israeli cyber firms struggle to go public. Yevgeny reflects on his journey from Ukraine to Israel and stresses the importance of talent retention. He also highlights AI's role in enhancing R&D and warns against the proliferation of small tactical cyber startups, urging for more ambitious ideas in the sector.

The discussion kicks off with a notable defense deal between India and Israel worth $3.75 billion, highlighting strategic partnerships. As market jitters surface, hosts delve into the AI bubble's vulnerabilities, exploring its potential wobble. They review Goldman Sachs' optimistic outlook on Israel's labor recovery amid the current AI landscape and discuss the tech sector's resilience. Energy constraints emerge as a key issue for AI scalability, fueling local backlash and concerns about community impacts. They assess Israel's strengths as an agile player in the AI ecosystem.