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ExploreGateway to Health Tech Advisors: Meet the Experts
Health Tech
Israel is a global powerhouse in health tech, with over 1,600 companies and $5 billion in investments made over the last two years. A critical driver behind this success is the integration of medical professionals—physicians, scientists, and researchers—into the ecosystem, bridging clinical expertise with cutting-edge innovation. However, despite the tremendous potential of these collaborations, the connection between the medical and technology sectors faces significant challenges.
Addressing the Knowledge Gap
A closer look at the Israeli health tech landscape highlights a critical knowledge gap. A survey of health tech companies reveals that while 90% employ people with medical backgrounds, more than half struggle to recruit adequately skilled personnel. At the same time, another survey of medical students and physicians shows that 70% are interested in working in health tech, but over 50% report having minimal or no familiarity with the technology sector, and nearly 80% lack knowledge of the health tech industry specifically.
This disconnect not only limits the growth of the health tech sector but also risks leaving valuable expertise untapped. Without structured pathways to bridge this gap, promising opportunities for collaboration and innovation could be lost.
Introducing Gateway to Health Tech
To address this challenge, Startup Nation Central, in collaboration with its human capital arm Scale-Up Velocity, developed the Gateway to Health Tech program. Designed to equip medical professionals with the tools, knowledge, and insights they need to transition into the health tech sector, the program combines academic learning with practical industry exposure. Participants engage with seasoned advisors, gain familiarity with the technologies shaping the field, and build a foundation to navigate this fast-evolving sector.
The program reflects Startup Nation Central’s commitment to nurturing collaborations that elevate the health tech ecosystem and position Israel as a leader in global medical innovation.
Advisors Who Drive Change
The Gateway to Health Tech advisors embody the intersection of healthcare and innovation. They bring decades of experience with the knowledge gap from a wide range of backgrounds and are deeply committed to fostering the next generation of health tech leaders. By approaching this challenge from various perspectives, Gateway to Health Tech delivers a holistic educational experience for all participants.
Healthcare Advisors
Prof. Gal Markel is a medical oncologist and immuno-oncology expert who serves as the Director of the Davidoff Comprehensive Cancer Center and Deputy Director General of Rabin Medical Center. A Full Professor of Immunology at Tel Aviv University, he holds both an MD and a PhD from Hebrew University and an MBA from IDC. His expertise lies in tumor immune resistance and the development of novel immunotherapies.
“The Gateway to Health Tech program is a crucial bridge between medical expertise and technological innovation. By addressing the knowledge gap and fostering collaboration, it equips healthcare professionals with the tools and insights needed to engage with the health tech sector effectively. With the guidance of seasoned advisors and exposure to cutting-edge technologies, participants are empowered to advance their careers and contribute to meaningful advancements in patient care. Thanks to the dedication and expertise of our advisors, clinicians and innovators are working together to create impactful solutions for global healthcare challenges.”
– Gal Markel
Dr. Yona Vaisbuch, an ear and skull base surgeon, is the Deputy Director of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. He is also the founder and director of Biodesign Israel, a national health tech innovation training program inspired by Stanford Biodesign.
Prof. Karen B. Avraham is the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University and holds the Drs. Sarah and Felix Dumont Chair for Research of Hearing Disorders. She leads the Laboratory of Neural and Sensory Genomics and is affiliated with the Sagol School of Neuroscience and the Safra Center for Bioinformatics.
Dr. Keren Shahar-Nissan, a pediatrician specializing in emergency medicine, completed her medical degree at Hebrew University and her fellowship at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. She has also participated in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) fellowship programs in Toronto, Canada.
Innovation Advisors
Avi Veidman, CEO and Co-Founder of Nucleai, brings a unique background from his two decades in Israeli intelligence forces, where he led AI-based image analysis efforts. At Nucleai, he applies his expertise to transform precision medicine through AI-powered pathology.
Dr. Maya Leventer-Roberts, a physician at Google, leads clinical operations at the company’s Tel Aviv site. With a degree in physics from Wesleyan University and a medical degree from Yale, she straddles the intersection of healthcare and advanced technology.
“I absolutely believe programs like this are essential. You can’t throw technology at healthcare problems and expect solutions. It’s about fostering collaboration and mutual understanding—creating a shared vocabulary so clinicians and technologists can engage effectively. Gateway to Health Tech is not just about education; it’s a dialogue, an exchange of insights that ultimately leads to innovations clinicians can truly integrate into their practices. That’s how you enhance expertise and empower impactful change.”
– Dr. Maya Leventer-Roberts
Mati Gill, CEO of AION Labs, has extensive experience in health tech and public policy. Prior to his role at AION Labs, he held senior positions at Teva Pharmaceuticals and served as Chief of Staff to Israel’s Minister of Public Security.
“The biotech and health tech industries thrive when they integrate the expertise of clinicians—those who directly treat patients and understand the nuances of care,” says Gill. “By fostering collaboration between healthcare professionals and industry experts, we create pathways to deliver new hope and effective treatments for diseases that lack solutions today.”
– Matti Gill
Prof. Varda Shalev, Managing Partner at Team8 Health and co-founder of Alike.Health, brings a unique perspective as both a practicing physician and a digital health entrepreneur.
“The combination of seeing patients, being in a startup, and managing things is an anti-burnout pill. It’s good for the physician, for the startup, and for the system. Engaged physicians ensure that solutions are practical and impactful, creating a win-win-win for everyone involved.”
– Prof. Varda Shalev
Building the Future of Health Tech
The Gateway to Health Tech program is more than just a training initiative, it is a catalyst for systemic change in how clinicians and technologists collaborate. By bridging gaps in knowledge and fostering meaningful connections, the program ensures that Israel’s health tech ecosystem remains robust, innovative, and globally competitive.
This program embodies what we call “impatient innovation,” a bold and determined approach to tackling today’s challenges with urgency and purpose – check out our 2024 wrap up video to learn more!