Hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors and senior executives gathered in Tel Aviv this week for the annual innovation conference of the Seedbiz Group and the Israel Entrepreneurship Community (IEC), where speakers stressed the importance of networking, artificial intelligence and resilience in Israel’s high-tech sector.
The event was held at the Tel Aviv offices of the law firm Pearl Cohen and opened by Dov Moran, managing partner at Grove Ventures and one of the pioneers of Israel’s high-tech industry.
“The example of Seedbiz is amazing in my eyes,” Moran said. “What Nitsan Peleg and Daniel Kugler built together, a community with such strength, is truly impressive. But in my view, it is also very smart professionally and commercially. I’m telling you clearly — a good product without networking and without the ability to connect with people will not succeed.”
Seedbiz Group, which organized the conference, operates on two tracks. Its Israel Entrepreneurship Community connects thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and industry executives through conferences, podcasts and professional forums. In parallel, its business arm supports startups and companies in capital raising, business development and expansion into international markets, with a focus on early stages where many ventures fail.
Organizers said the combination of a strong community alongside hands-on professional services positions Seedbiz as a distinctive player in Israel’s high-tech ecosystem. Networking and real-time business connections were evident throughout the event, they added.
Attorney Hili Rashkovan, a partner at Pearl Cohen who specializes in technology transactions, offered practical advice to entrepreneurs on legal strategy alongside business growth.
Ziv Elul, a partner at BGV IL VC, a U.S.-based fund that has invested in more than 30 Israeli companies, said that since Oct. 7, he has viewed investment in Israeli firms as more than a financial decision.
“In the world after October 7, I view investments in Israeli companies almost as a mission,” Elul said. “If there is an opportunity to show appreciation to Israeli entities, I am there with full force. I’m glad to see that there are enough players internationally who understand the strength that exists here.”
The conference also featured a panel titled “PR and Content Worlds 2026,” moderated by digital entrepreneur and business development expert Alex Liahovich, which addressed media strategy and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on visibility and reputation management.
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PR and Content Worlds 2026 panel (from left): Alex Liahovich, Sharon Shalmon Esman, Jonathan Mishal and Ram Amedi
(Photo: Sagiv Ben Simon)
Participants included ynet Global CEO Sharon Shalmon Esman, BIST founder and CEO Ram Amedi and SmartBrand founder and CEO Jonathan Mishal. The discussion focused on emerging tools and platforms and on how companies can strengthen both personal and corporate brands through media exposure, podcasts and social media, while building trust with clients and the broader public.
The evening concluded with remarks by Yizhar Shay, a former minister of science and technology, founder of the initiative “Next October” and a partner at Disruptive AI.
Shay expressed optimism about the continued growth of Israel’s technology sector but warned that “companies that do not integrate AI into their product will simply discover that they are no longer relevant.”
At the same time, Shay — who lost his son Yaron, a fighter in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit, during the battle to defend Kerem Shalom on Oct. 7 — spoke about the memorial initiative he established in his son’s memory.
“Next October connects Israeli technology companies with families of those who fell or were murdered on October 7,” Shay said. “Each company ‘adopts’ a fallen individual and dedicates its activity to their memory. This initiative was born out of our personal loss and pain, but its purpose is to do good for Israeli society as a whole.”