Entrepreneurial

September 14, 2009 - 1:48 PM by Jessica · 2 Comments
Filed under: Business, General, Holidays, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness 

Bike_Ad_small (2)I often think that Israelis, and Israeli immigrants in particular — those of us that have made their lives here — are an enterprising lot. I’m not just talking about the high-tech heroes and business brains that have put Israel on the global village map, but the many individuals who open their own businesses, becoming independent contractors who want to control their own professional destiny and bank account.

Sure, part of it has to do with earning some more shekels, as many professions in this land are not well paid and are nowhere near the U.S. scale, even in these economically trying times. But no matter the reason, the results are often very creative.

Take my friend, Moshe, for example. He just launched Midnight Cycling Through Jerusalem, three-four hour tours, starting at midnight, through the streets and alleyways of Jerusalem. He’s done a few of them so far, isn’t so certain about the prices — but can tell you that he’s getting more than a few phone calls for his Hol Hamoed Sukkot rides. You can also rent bikes and helmets through Moshe, if needed.

He’s far from the only one. Just off the top of my head, I’m thinking about JewButt by Beverly, the Dinah Project by another Beverly and not exactly a business but a wiki, SiddurWiki.com, by friend Brian.

There’ll be more to come, but if you want to take a midnight bike ride around Jerusalem, contact Moshe, tour guide and teacher.

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Hope for Israeli Startups

December 25, 2008 - 11:36 PM by DavidS · 3 Comments
Filed under: Business, General, Medical Breakthroughs, Technology, design 

Tivo, Skype, Java, and other technologies that we now wonder how we did without – all of them were first displayed and demonstrated at the world’s premier hi-tech show, DEMO. Being able to present at DEMO is a prestigious accomplishment, and in order to get in, you’ve got to have something special.

demo

This year, there are ten slots for Israeli companies at DEMO ‘09, and the lucky companies chosen to present this year – out of 300 applicants! – will be announced this Monday in Tel Aviv (yours truly has been invited to check it out). Those going on to the show (this year being held in Palm Springs, March 1-3) are practically guaranteed a shot at the big time (over the past four years, DEMO presenters have raised well over $2.5 billion dollars after the show). Previous Israeli entrants have included, among others, G.ho.st, which gives users a “personal computer” of their own from any terminal in the world, with it’s own operating system and software, and Vringo, which pioneered the business of video ringtones. Attending the show are dozens of computer businesses pros and journalists, as well as angels and VC’s.

Click to see video about DEMO \'09

Speaking of money: Is there any out there for startups anymore? Haven’t all the investors been scared off, after losing their shirts on the stock market and almost every other investment vehicle? Some have, sure. But in recent conversations with a whole raft of entrepreneurs, I’m hearing that there is money out there – and that because of the crisis, they may even have an easier time getting some. With stocks now considered suspect, investors are looking for places to put their money – and startups with good ideas and a good model are more attractive than ever, because they’re seen as a better bet than speculative stocks right now. Of course, that could just be the “happy face” talk they’re putting on to impress me (or reassure themselves) – but there’s a definite logic there. Besides, there’s this company, which just a couple of months ago netted $19 million in VC money. Not a bad take during a recession – or a boom, for that matter!

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What Becomes of Ex-Presidents

December 20, 2008 - 10:11 PM by DavidS · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Business, General, Israeliness, Life, Politics 

The may not much like soon to be former President George Bush in the U.S. – or in Iraq – and now that he’s leaving office, he may have a future in Israel – with his name emblazoned in lights on a business!

Most people will remember that Bush received a very high approval rating among Israelis when he came here at the beginning of 2008. Now, with Bush ready to leave office, Israeli commentators will be coming out with articles like this one looking back with nostalgia at the positive relationship between Israel and Bush.

Tough on the outside but sweet on the inside, Israelis are actually very sentimental – and have a good business sense, as well. So the chances of some ingenious Israeli adopting the name “Bush” for their business are good (maybe for a gardening service?). Admittedly, “Coffee Annan,” named after former UN Secretary Kofi Annan, was too obvious not to do something with. But other than having eaten it, Bill Clinton had little if anything to do with pizza – but that didn’t stop this Jerusalem entrepreneur from using the ex-president’s name to promote his slices. And chances are business will improve dramatically now that Hillary is going to be Secretary of State!

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TechAviv hits the web

November 30, 2008 - 11:48 PM by Harry · 1 Comment
Filed under: Technology 

TechAvivEarlier this month, TechAviv launched a new blog described as “1,000 Israeli entrepreneurs and investors that come together off and online to showcase, discuss and help fellow Israeli startups succeed.” Founded by Yaron Samid in the summer of 2007, Tech Aviv has built, first offline, a network of Israeli entrepreneurs located in Silicon Valley, New York City and of course in Israel. TechAviv came on my radar just a couple of days ago but has obviously been on the radar of every Israeli startup that I’ve ever heard of – evident in their list of Israeli startups and investors.

I’ve always been impressed by how unified and supportive the startup scene is here. It’s something I first noticed when working for a myriad of startups during the dotcom boom of the late nineties (none of which exist today!). Now with the advent of blogs and social networking this support system has become even more organized and successful. This past Wednesday, TechAviv hosted a meetup of several Israel-based startups at the IDC in Herzliya. Three startups, Devunity, Contrust and Waze all presented and showed off their websites and services. Next week I’m going to start a feature here called Israel 2.0 where I will focus and write about a different Israeli startup. Other big things are coming very soon on this blog, so stay tuned.

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