Mind the Tech NY
"Wiz's sale to Google will make it easier for Israeli entrepreneurs to engage with American investors"
David Waltcher of the FirstMark VC fund was speaking at the annual Israeli Mapped in NY event, held in collaboration with Valley Bank, Wix, and Meitar.
“After the sale of Wiz to Google, it will be easier than ever for Israeli entrepreneurs to engage with American investors,” said David Waltcher of the FirstMark VC fund at the annual Israeli Mapped in NY event, held in collaboration with Valley Bank, Wix, and Meitar. His statement captured the atmosphere and key message of the event, where more than a hundred Israeli startup founders gathered to learn what interests American investment funds—particularly those based in New York.
Amanda Herson, a partner at the Founder Collective fund, advised Israeli entrepreneurs to refine their presentations, practice pitching to friends in the US, and, most importantly, focus on building a go-to-market strategy from the outset. “You can’t say during a fundraising round, ‘We’ll start talking to customers soon.’ You need to be engaging with customers at least six months before launching the company,” she emphasized. Herson also clarified the fund’s approach to evaluating investments: “We don’t believe in trends. If something is already a trend, it’s too late to invest.”
Thomas Krane of Insight Partners, one of the most active investors in Israel and a backer of Wiz, cautioned Israeli entrepreneurs against focusing too much on valuation. “Many entrepreneurs, particularly in the Israeli ecosystem, treat valuation like a badge of honor: ‘I raised at the highest valuation at the earliest stage.’ But this can be a trap,” Krane said. “You need to take a long-term view and build a strong relationship with your investors so they don’t lose confidence and walk away mid-journey. You also need to consider multiple layers of strategy when planning for an exit.”
The Founders' Meeting is an annual event hosted by Israeli Mapped in NY alongside Valley Bank, the high-tech company Wix, and the Meitar law firm. Representatives from the four organizing entities, who closely track Israeli entrepreneurial activity in New York, discussed recent developments in the Israeli startup ecosystem.
“If in recent years we’ve seen many Israeli companies expanding to New York in the fields of cybersecurity and fintech, now we’re also seeing AI-driven companies applying their technology across various industries,” said Guy Franklin, founder and CEO of Israeli Mapped in NY, at the event’s opening. He also highlighted the significance of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ recent push to position the city as a global AI hub.
Keren Lahad Rachmani, a partner at Meitar New York, echoed Franklin’s optimism: “Israeli startups continue to demonstrate their strength, and we’re seeing a lot of positive activity this year, both in investment rounds and acquisitions.”
Eitan Israeli, VP of Corporate Development at Wix, expanded the discussion to include more mature Israeli tech firms. “In recent years, Israeli public companies—especially those listed on Nasdaq—have demonstrated impressive resilience. They’ve not only maintained strong revenue growth and improved operational efficiency but have also strengthened the position of Israeli growth companies as major employers and innovation leaders.”
However, Ori Kaufman Gafter, Head of International & Tech Banking at Valley Bank, cautioned attendees about the complexities of the current US economic climate. “Economic and regulatory uncertainty, dramatic technological shifts, and changes in the landscape of potential buyers are significantly impacting IPOs and M&A activity. These shifts are rewriting the rules for growth companies, meaning that founders must prepare for a longer and more complex journey.”
