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Hi, my name is Dima, and I’m a tech entrepreneur who relocated to Israel a few years ago. For the past 1.5 years, I’ve been building my startup, PitchBob: an AI co-pilot for entrepreneurs.
Recently, I gave an interview for a podcast where I shared my experience of developing a startup after relocating to Israel. I decided to summarize some of the key recommendations in this article. I hope it will be useful for those starting their own ventures in Israel, as well as for the Israel Innovation Authority, to help enhance the ecosystem by reducing entry barriers and engaging new immigrants.
In this article, I’d like to highlight the opportunities Israel’s startup nation offers to new repatriates and local first-time entrepreneurs.
I’ll also touch on the challenges newcomers face when navigating the ecosystem. I hope this serves as a helpful guide for others and provides food for thought for those aiming to improve integration and support for talented repatriate entrepreneurs.
Disclaimer: All opinions are based solely on my personal experiences and should not be considered exhaustive or universally applicable.
If I had to describe Israel’s innovation ecosystem, I’d compare it to Narnia — a magical world everyone’s heard about, some have visited, but few truly understand how to find the secret door. Another fitting metaphor might be a suitcase without a handle: a highly valuable asset with hidden potential, but figuring out how to access it without a handle is a challenge. Over the past 1.5 years, I’ve been searching for Narnia’s door and trying to add a handle to the suitcase. Below, I share the results of my journey.
Knowing about these opportunities earlier would have been invaluable, and I hope this information helps other entrepreneurs. All the resources mentioned below are either completely free or even provide financial support, making them exceptionally valuable.
1. ICON
In my opinion, ICON is the single most valuable community I’ve encountered. It offers unparalleled access to high-level expertise. I first learned about it from a book, but this is something every new repatriate building a tech business in Israel should be handed on day one. ICON has connected us with top-tier corporate managers and VCs in the U.S. through two mentorship sessions, providing invaluable guidance.
2. International Delegations
We were fortunate to participate in three international programs and delegations:
• France: VivaTech conference and Israel delegation
• Austria: Global Incubators Network (GIN), twice — once for a short spring program and later for an extended fall program
• Brazil: Scale in Brazil program
These programs, which I stumbled upon by chance, opened doors for business development in Europe and Brazil. Each delegation boosted our network, partnerships, and business growth.
3. Israel Trade Missions
Another hidden gem I discovered is Israel Trade Missions. These offices in countries worldwide provide local contacts, partnerships, sales support, and more. You can submit up to five requests per month through the official website. This resource has been a game-changer for us, and I’m incredibly grateful for the assistance we’ve received.
4. Corporate Startup Support Programs
We’ve participated in various corporate programs, including those by Google, Nvidia, Microsoft, IBM, and AWS. Among these, Microsoft for Startups stands out for its tangible value, offering perks like waived Stripe fees, free LinkedIn access, and OpenAI tokens. I hope corporate competition will drive even greater benefits for early-stage startups in the future.
5. Accelerators and Early-Stage VCs
While we’ve bootstrapped for as long as possible, we’re preparing for our first funding round. Conversations with accelerators and VCs, many of which approached us, have been encouraging. Some of my recommendations include:
• Fusion VC: Fast scoring, quick feedback, and a personal approach
• Techstars Tel Aviv: The largest early-stage accelerator, providing access to a global network
• NFX: One of my favorite funds, recently launching a new Israel-focused early-stage fund
The Downsides: Challenges and Barriers
Despite the advantages, Israel’s innovation ecosystem is far from perfect. Many professionals, who by their role should respond to messages on LinkedIn, simply ignore them. Outreach success rates in Israel are noticeably lower than on the global stage. Ghosting and a lack of follow-through are common, reflecting gaps in business culture around accountability and professionalism.
State programs designed to support and integrate repatriates often lack value and require complete restructuring. For newcomers without deep local connections, military service backgrounds, Hebrew fluency, or deep-tech startups, the ecosystem can feel closed off and unwelcoming. Organizations like MATI Holon exemplify programs that seem to lack meaningful impact.
A Message to Fellow Entrepreneurs and Innovation Ecosystem Players
It’s crucial to approach Israel’s ecosystem with realistic expectations, understanding its barriers and opportunities. While challenges exist, the ecosystem is resilient, healthy, and more crisis-resistant than most. Instead of blaming the ecosystem, focus on leveraging its unique strengths.
Can this ecosystem become even better? Could it gain a boost from the latest wave of repatriates, just as it did from the wave of the 1990s? If so, what tools and changes are needed to maximize the success of talented repatriates with entrepreneurial ambitions?
I firmly believe that repatriates have tremendous innovation potential. However, without the right support, integration, and acceleration tools, much of this potential risks being lost — or realized elsewhere. Let’s work together to ensure Israel continues to be a global leader in innovation, welcoming and empowering all those who join its ranks.
