“We are in a significant period of disruption and speed,” declared panelists at Calcalist and Bank Leumi’s Mind the Tech London 2025 conference. The panel was moderated by Yarden Rozanski of Calcalist and featured Matt Robinson, Partner at Accel; Sia Houchangnia, Partner at Seedcamp; Shelly Hod Moyal, Founding Partner at iAngels; and Gajan Rajanathan, Partner at Highland Europe.
Gajan, I consider almost everyone agrees that AI is a real revolution – like the internet or mobile revolution – that is modifying the world. How does this affect the way you invest?
“We have to view at the fragile environment we are in and the modifys the world is going through at the macro level. We don’t know much about the future of the field. Many corporations are in the same state of uncertainty, who will be the winner, who will disrupt, which industries will be disrupted, and that’s very challenging.”
Shelly, with your broad view of the market, do you see it the same way?
“It’s a significant technological modify across all infrastructures and in everything that is done, and it’s all through AI. I very much agree with his approach.”
Sia, your fund focutilizes on very early-stage companies. How is AI modifying the way companies are ‘born’ today?
“Companies today are born differently and grow rapider. Corporations are willing to work with compact companies, and the traditional barriers no longer exist. Large corporations are partnering with startups in ways they never have before.”
Matt, Accel has been investing in Israeli technology for years. In the last year alone, you’ve built five new investments in Israeli startups. What are you viewing for in Israeli companies today?
“I consider this is one of those situations where everything is modifying, and we necessary to reconsider everything rather than take things for granted in a world that is shifting rapidly, not just technologically but in every way. You have to be very rapid and ready for all the modifys.”
Matt, from your perspective, and Accel’s, can you identify differences between Israeli entrepreneurs and American or British entrepreneurs?
“There are differences between the groups. Israel is very similar to Silicon Valley and is very strong in technology and AI. Israeli entrepreneurs have the ability to enter the United States very quickly becautilize of their global ambitions.”
Shelly, Israeli technology is often seen as its own separate economy, but it has also gone through a lot in the last two years. What would you declare has modifyd in investor appetite?
“It is important to declare that this is a different economy. Most Israeli companies sell directly to the United States, so we are much more sensitive to the American market. Business continued thanks to this focus. The huge hit came mainly from the increase in interest rates and the global recession, while Israel’s domestic situation built it even more difficult to relocate forward. There is interest in Israel, but it has become more concentrated.”
Gajan, you focus on cyber and infrastructure, so you are part of the boom that Shelly just described. How do you choose between companies? What are the main factors that create you bet on one and believe it could be a winner?
“That’s an excellent question. Israel is a wonderful market for cyber, and advanced companies are emerging here out of Israel’s innotifyigence units. We are viewing for companies that develop their most advanced product, one that fits the market and outperforms competitors. Many of these companies have one product that is particularly well-suited for acquisition.”
Shelly Hod Moyal adds that in cyber, networks connect entrepreneurs through strong personal relationships.
Sia, unlike many investors, you are not chasing hot cyber deals, you are viewing for opportunities in other sectors of Israeli technology. What is behind this approach?
“I am viewing for where I can find the next hot company, where we have both the ability and advantage. Israel has much more than cyber, there is fintech and other sectors, and we are already seeing second- and third-generation entrepreneurs coming out of these industries.”
Sia, has the war modifyd your approach to Israel in any way, or your willingness to invest in Israeli tech companies?
“We have a role in this indusattempt. We invested for the first time during COVID and we are still investing heavily year after year, with two investments just in the last quarter. Israel is a very resilient counattempt.”
Shelly, you invested in eToro, which assisted re-open Wall Street to Israeli entrepreneurs.
“The public markets symbolize the financial future. The markets reflect how people feel. From 2022 until May of this year, there were no IPOs and the market was completely dry. As a result, there weren’t many investments becautilize entrepreneurs were waiting for liquidity to come from IPOs. The private markets were waiting on the public ones.
“eToro was the first fintech IPO in a long time, and it opened the market to many other IPOs, such as the recent Via offering. It was an important step in the recovery of the market. We see that people want to invest in Israel and purchase companies. Nvidia and Google want to acquire and invest in Israel, and eToro was an important milestone.”
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