Empowering Israeli Startups to Scale and Succeed: Startups First Initiative 

By Noga Shiloah, Chief Product Officer at Startup Nation Central 

Israel’s tech ecosystem is the backbone of our economy, and at Startup Nation Central we are dedicated to propelling the innovation landscape. 

Our mission is simple but powerful: to support Israeli startups as they transform innovative ideas into global success stories. 

On October 7, this mission became even more urgent, pushing us to reconsider our offerings and products. 

We launched the Startup Nation Central Hub in the face of immediate and critical pain points. As our primary platform for startups to voice their challenges and concerns at the outset of the conflict, this hub became a comprehensive resource center, providing startups with connections to funding and professional support.  

A critical step in this journey was partnering with key ecosystem players to deliver real value. These partnerships were vital, deploying stakeholders who contributed meaningfully to the support of struggling startups. 

Leveraging WARTIME CEO’s Strengths  

To amplify the impact of the Central Hub, we partnered with WARTIME CEO, leveraging their extensive experience and robust investor network to further support startups, while also bringing invaluable insights to address the key challenges faced by companies. 

I vividly recall our initial discussions with Dr. Yael Gruenbaum and Dr. Gal Noyman; their enthusiasm for supporting startups was infectious, and it was clear that this partnership would be immensely valuable.  At the time, I recall that Dr. Yael Gruenbaum, Partner at aMoon and Cofounder of WARTIME CEO, also saw the synergy and value of our shared commitment: “Israel has a vibrant, successful startup culture that we are proud to be a part of. We believe that this collaboration will further advance this ecosystem by best support practices to the WARTIME CEOs.”  

The collaboration fostered a unique community where VCs worked together to support the ecosystem, providing startups with expertise and opportunities to build resilience and grow, even in the toughest circumstances.  

My friend Dr. Gal Noyman, Partner at LionBird and Cofounder of WARTIME CEO, captured this sentiment perfectly: “Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster ride with highs and lows, and sometimes founders just need an objective sounding board. The solidarity that is the foundation of the Israeli spirit lies at the core of this collaboration between investors, mentors, and founders, and we’re excited to see all our partners continue supporting our startup nation.”  

The ‘Startup First’ Initiative 

Building on the insights and experiences from Central Hub and WARTIME CEO, we launched the ‘Startup First’ initiative. This initiative provides continuous and holistic support for startups with three main pillars: 

1. Knowledge Sharing: We offer access to valuable insights, trends, and best practices through workshops, seminars, and online resources, helping startups make informed strategic decisions and stay competitive. 

2. Business Connections: We create networking opportunities with industry leaders, potential clients, and other startups, fostering collaboration and growth through partnerships and joint ventures. 

3. Funding Opportunities: We connect startups with various funding sources, including grants, investments, and other financial support, ensuring they have the resources needed to scale. 

Through these pillars, we equip Israeli startups to overcome challenges and seize opportunities so they can reach their full potential and make a significant impact on the global stage. 

Grant Matching Event  

As part of the Funding Opportunities pillar, we recently partnered with the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) to conduct a ‘Grant Matching Event’. This event was designed to help startups that have secured grants from the IIA and need matching investments.  

Dozens of startups received unique exposure and had 1:1 meetings with 30 angels and early-stage investors. Over 50 meetings were conducted, helping startups bridge the funding gap and leverage the initial support they received. 

The Grant Matching Event exemplifies how our initiatives make a tangible difference. By bringing together startups and investors in a focused setting, we facilitate meaningful connections that can lead to substantial investments and business growth. These events also provide startups with valuable feedback from investors, helping them refine their business models and strategies.  

Through Grant Matching, startups can secure the funding they need to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. This event is just the beginning of many opportunities we are creating for startups. 

Our Vision and Commitment 

Our commitment to Israeli startups’ success is unwavering. By engaging key players in the local innovation ecosystem along with our global partners, we provide significant value to startups in their growth journey. Our vision is to create an environment where startups can thrive, innovate, and become global leaders. 

We are excited about the role that Startup Nation Central will play in shaping the next generation of Israeli startups. We encourage startups to take full advantage of the resources we offer and actively participate in our programs. By doing so, they can benefit from the collective knowledge, experience, and networks that Startup Nation Central and our partners provide. 

Join Us

Visit our website regularly to stay ahead of the curve, update your Finder profile, and become part of our thriving innovation ecosystem today. Together, we can shape the future of innovation in Israel and beyond.