Mind the Tech NY
"Business leaders continue to support Israel—not just out of a sense of obligation, but because it is the right business decision"
Anat Katz, Israel’s economic attaché in the US, was speaking at the closing cocktail event of Mind the Tech NY.
Mind the Tech NY 2025
(Elad Gershgoren and Yaron Sharon)
“The past year was one of Israel’s most difficult—filled with uncertainty, sleepless nights, and unimaginable challenges. And yet, Israelis did not break—we continued to move forward. Startups kept innovating, Israeli companies closed significant deals, and investors continued to believe in our technology,” said Noa Tamir, CEO of Calcalist, at the closing cocktail party of the Calcalist and Bank Leumi Mind the Tech New York conference.
Tamir added, “But even in moments of success, our hearts remain with those kidnapped in Gaza. At Calcalist, we continue to amplify their voices—just as we do for Israeli innovation, business, and democracy—because a strong Israel never gives up on its people. Israel is rebuilding itself. Resilience is in our DNA. And if this year has taught us anything, it is that we can handle anything—except if our skies are closed. Thanks to El Al, Israel has remained connected to the world. El Al has brought soldiers, families, and businesses home.”
Dina Ben Tal Ganancia, CEO of El Al, asked those in attendance to "take a moment to pray for the return of the kidnapped." She continued, “I have one message tonight—Israel is an exceptionally strong country on every level. There is no other country in the world like Israel, and in such a difficult year, we had an airline that never stopped flying. We are proud that, thanks to us, the skies remained open. This is proof of our resilience and determination as a people.”
Ben Tal Ganancia then invited "a special hero who is with us tonight—Eyal Cohen, a reservist who was injured in Gaza and, before the war, was working on his startup in the credit sector," to speak after her. She also encouraged investors in the room to take a closer look at Cohen’s venture.
Cohen shared his personal journey: “Before the war, I invested everything in my startup. Then the war broke out, and like all my friends, I didn’t hesitate—I enlisted. I was seriously injured, underwent ten complex, life-saving surgeries, and was given a second chance at life.” He acknowledged the current difficulties for startups but remained optimistic: “This is a challenging time for startups, but I know we can overcome anything and continue to deliver results.”
Anat Katz, Israel’s economic attaché in the US, emphasized the importance of Israel’s relationship with the US: “Our ties with the US are Israel’s most important strategic asset. We are living in a challenging and turbulent time, both in Israel and globally. High-tech is at the heart of the Israeli economy, and investors, customers, and business leaders continue to support Israel—not just out of a sense of obligation, but because it is the right business decision.”
