Shahar Polak

Wix just made a huge move. They acquired Base44 for $80 million. This is a game-changer for Israeli tech. Base44 is transforming app development. It allows anyone to create apps using simple language. → No code. → No dev teams. → Just ideas that come to life. Maor Shlomo built Base44 all on his own. He started it after reserve duty in October. In just a few months, he achieved the impossible: → Closed deals with eToro and Similarweb. → Turned a profit fast. → Outgrew every expectation. Now, Base44 joins forces with Wix. This partnership isn’t just about tech. It’s about a shared vision for the future. Wix sees AI as the heart of creation. Base44 will be their new AI engine. Wix President Nir Zohar said it best: ↳ “This wasn’t just about features. It was about DNA.” Even in tough times, innovation shines through. → This is resilience. → This is vision. → This is execution. Kol hakavod to everyone involved. 🔥 Have you used Base44 yet?

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Can the Startup Nation pivot to #DeepTech Nation? We analyzed a proprietary database of 1,250+ Israeli DeepTech researchers and 165+ specialized labs to map the ecosystem's R&D pipeline for the coming years. We aimed to identify the total % of research talent working in each DeepTech cluster. The market consensus is that Israel = Enterprise SaaS & Cyber (yes and Fintech… 😇). The data however, suggests a massive capital allocation opportunity in fields where Israel might be less famous for recently. Cluster 1: Life Sciences & Bio-Convergence ~275 researchers (32% of researchers). Cluster 2: Hardware, Quantum, Nano & Materials ~175 researchers (20% of researchers). Cluster 3: Energy & Climate ~100 researchers (12% of researchers) Cluster 4: "Physical" AI & Cybersecurity ~315 researchers (36% of researchers) Really wondering, especially with everything happening in Software and AI whether we'll start seeing more specialized funds in these fields with the capital and patience to invest from inception to IPO / $1B+ liquidation.

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I recently wrote an article for a leading Israeli tech magazine (in Hebrew), expressing my thoughts about why Information Security professionals tend to ignore the increasing security risks that are introduced by Generative AI tools, even though I consider them among the biggest security threats of our time. Read all about it here: https://lnkd.in/e_Mfuv9U

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𝗜𝘃𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 Israeli startup MyPart has developed an #AI platform that can analyze any piece of music — its structure, style, harmony, and lyrics — and understand the emotion it conveys. The technology is already used by production companies and music publishers to search their catalogs, but the company is now pivoting toward a broader audience. Founded in 2016, Mypart originally set out to connect emerging songwriters with professionals in entertainment, advertising, and media. Over time, it shifted to powering music discovery for labels and producers. This week, the company is unveiling its next move: a new AI tool that selects music for everyday users of apps and platforms - from video editing and presentations to gaming. The promise: music that genuinely matches each user’s personal taste. Singer, producer, and high-tech entrepreneur Ivri Lieder, one of the company’s partners, says the technology closes the gap between personal content and new music. “Think about the videos you make or the photos on your phone - our platform bridges the distance to fresh music in a transparent way. That’s where AI can really elevate the experience,” he explains. CEO and founder Matan Kollenscher adds that the breakthrough lies in combining a deep understanding of songs with the ability to interpret visual content. “People struggle to define the music they want, but it’s easy to share an image or video. If the system can grasp the nuances of that content and suggest the right soundtrack, it empowers anyone - even without musical knowledge - to create content that feels professional.” Read the full story in ynet. Check out the link in the first comment Photo: Wikipedia (Omer Keidar)

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An AI workshop is never really only about AI. It’s about how people think, decide, and work - and how technology can support that, without replacing judgment or responsibility. Today’s session at ZDVF - Beit Halochem Haifa, was exactly that: grounded, practical, and focused on what actually matters. ArtificialGate

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𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗜. 𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁. Veteran investor Yaakov Weinstein recently made an unpopular prediction: 👉 Toward the end of this decade (around 2028–2029), global markets may face a deep downturn — on a scale not seen since 1929. Not because of a single crash. Not because of one obvious bubble. But because 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁. A few key points behind his view: Equity valuations, especially in the U.S., are already stretched. Sustaining them requires unusually strong and persistent profit growth. AI may boost productivity in the short term, but trillions in investment still haven’t proven they translate into durable profits. Demographics are turning into a headwind: Baby boomers are retiring, consumption slows, healthcare costs rise. Fewer workers means slower growth in pension inflows — a structural issue markets haven’t priced in. Real estate, long the engine of the “wealth effect,” has stalled — in both the U.S. and Israel. Short term? 2026 will likely still be a positive year, though with more modest returns. Governments and central banks will do what they can — mainly through rates and mortgages — to support households. Long term? This isn’t about a minor correction. It’s about 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲. My takeaway: The real question isn’t whether markets can go higher from here — it’s 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝘀. Because when optimism fades, liquidity tightens, and narratives break — Only strategy matters. Short Bio - Yaakov Weinstein Current role: Manages the IBI Total Return hedge fund and serves as an advisor to other funds at the investment house. Previous roles: Chief Investment Officer at Migdal Capital Markets; founder of Afikim Investment House. https://lnkd.in/dKmbVH5n

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It's about time this conversation is going mainstream! Reading what Liad Agmon shared (link in comments), I couldn’t help but think: Does it really take a global crisis for Israeli startups to see what we’ve been seeing — and saying — for over 5 years?! We're lucky to have amazing startup clients who have been working with our offshore teams for years and can speak to the fact that we've truly been walking the talk. What I still don’t fully understand is why so many startups in Israel still see this as a “nice to have” — and resist making the shift to offshore hiring, when the rest of the world has been doing it for years. As highlighted in the article, the advantage for Israeli startups going global is significantly higher compared to other markets — especially given the ongoing war, which directly impacts the local workforce, and the continued depreciation of the dollar. This isn’t just a smart move — it’s a critical lever for growth and scaling, and we’re proud to be part of this movement by supporting some of Israel’s leading startups. Better late than never 🙌 Link in the first comment 👇 #Scaling #GlobalTeams #HR #GlobalHiring #OffshoreTeams #EivaHR #IsraeliTech #Startups

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⚠️Don’t keep reading if you believe innovation only comes from experts. They’re 11. And today, they’ll represent Israel on a global stage, pitching their startup project "TrashGo" at the Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT) entrepreneurship event by Innovation World™, alongside 1,200+ projects from 74 countries. I first mentored Leo’s team during his school’s Hackathon for a Better Future, led by Galit Zamler, where TrashGo won 3rd place. Now, four months later, they’re pitching it to the world. To support their presentation, we created a 90-sec video, leaving time for live Q&A. Our production secrets: 📱Shot on iphone 14, 🎞️ Edited in DaVinci, 🤖 Hyperrealistic trash🐘- ChatGPT by OpenAI, 🎨 Visual FX- Canva Simple tools. Massive impact. In my PR work, I see adults overcomplicate everything. These kids nailed the story (in their second language, no less.) In just 90 seconds, they hit every element: problem, solution, team, impact. Now off to my most important Zoom of the day: the global pitch event. Guilty. I’m that proud mentor🙋‍♀️ Send your cheers in the comments. I’ll make sure the team sees them💚 Meet the next generation of problem solvers↓ #TrashGo #YouthInnovation #AIforGood #ProudMentor #NotTooYoungToLead

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5 Israeli Startups to Watch Ahead As “Startup Nation”, Israel consistently launches more cutting-edge startups per capita than the rest of the world. Here are 5 Israeli startups that are riding the next tech wave.  - Base44, the AI-powered no-code app builder, was launched in 2025 by Maor Shlomo. The startup transforms a text prompt into a fully functional web app or game. Base44 had over 100,000 users and partnerships with Israeli tech leaders like eToro and Similarweb. In 2025, Base44 was acquired in 2025 for $80 million by Wix. - Decart restyles streams, webcam feeds, and gameplay with AI. The startup was founded in 2023. In 2025, Decart raised $100 million in Series B funding at a $3.1 billion valuation. Dean Leitersdorf co-founded the startup in 2023.  - VFR developed a dynamic ad player that powered by real-time user data and places ads where it makes sense. In 2025, VFR secured $10 million at a $150 million valuation. - Styletech is the AI-powered platform that makes a single image runway-ready in seconds. Brands can mix and match looks, models, and campaigns at the click of a button to cut both costs and complexity. - Prompt Security built the firewall to keep generative AI safe and under control in real-time. Founded in 2023 by Itamar Golan and Lior Drihem, it was acquired by SentinelOne. Photo: Prompt Security Source: https://lnkd.in/dXY23bZ7

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Is your SDR team hitting a wall? 🧱 Scale requires more than just a "toolbox of apps." It requires an integrated strategy that accounts for cultural nuances and high-stress environments. Too many Israeli startups are struggling with: 1️⃣ Disconnected Tech: CRM data that doesn't talk to your cadences. 2️⃣ Operational Fragility: The unique challenges of maintaining outbound momentum in 2026. 3️⃣ Lack of Focus: Asking reps to be "jacks of all trades" and masters of none. The Grizz Consulting Solution starts by auditing your leadership infrastructure, then trains your team on Quality-over-Quantity. Hyper-personalization isn't a "nice-to-have" anymore—it's the only way to break through the noise. Let’s meet and get your sales engine running as efficiently as your R&D. #BusinessDevelopment #GrizzConsulting #InsideSales #TechSales #IsraelHighTech #Leadership

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One of the most common surprises Israeli tech companies face in the U.S.: ** The way you describe your product is not always the way the market understands it. ** Gartner reports that 73% of B2B buyers avoid vendors whose outreach feels irrelevant (Gartner, 2025 Sales Research). Translation: If your positioning misses the mark, you may never even enter the buying conversation. Many strong companies are only one messaging adjustment away from much stronger traction. If you're navigating this phase of global expansion, happy to compare notes. #USmarket #USmarketexpansion #globalbusinessdevelopment #israel #israelhitech #globalmarketing

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AI to AI hiring is here and personal brand just became the moat. In the last year due to me work with GoPerfect I’ve have the pleasure to speak with recruiters across most Israeli startups and many in the US. The growing consensus (and my own view) is that as AI screens AI written resumes, the strongest differentiator won’t be another prompt polished CV. You need to now focus and prioritize your public proof of work. Why this shift? - AI makes paperwork cheap. Degrees, titles, and templated resumes are increasingly poor signals. - What still cuts through: visible output and human story aka your ideas, your craft, your voice. For candidates: your brand is your new GPA. - Ship in public: short posts, blog riffs, demos, dashboards, Looms. - Curate a simple proof hub (Notion/GitHub/Substack) that shows how you think. - Add context: explain why you built something and what changed. - Be someone people want to work with: likable, creative, original, meaning you think beyond the box and show it. - Use AI to accelerate creation, not impersonate you. Authenticity scales while imitation stalls. For recruiters: optimize for signal, not polish. - Ask for artifacts over adjectives. Portfolios, threads, PRDs, code, case write ups. - Score thinking, not theatrics: clarity, rigor, taste, speed, and learning loops. - Let AI triage volume, but let humans hire humans. The AI to AI job market rewards those who show their work in the open. Build a brand that speaks when you’re offline. Trust me, it will open more doors than any AI generated paperwork ever will. Attaching in the comments below a great article on Calcalist כלכליסט that talks about this.

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𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁. Demotivator 12: Management not following through on their promises. When a leader says they will do something: implement a new system, provide a promised resource, review a salary, or even just send a follow-up email, and then fails to deliver, they are not just being disorganized. They are actively tearing up the contract of trust that binds an employee to the organization. If your employees cannot trust your word, they will not follow your leadership. A 2024 Gartner for HR study found that only 46% of employees trust their organization’s leadership. Not because leaders are bad people, but because somewhere along the way, words stopped matching actions. 𝗔 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. #Leadership #Trust #Integrity #QualityCulture #PeopleDevelopment #BusinessExcellence #EmployeeEngagement #Accountability #ContinuousImprovement #SustainableLeadership

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HyGPT 1.0 (10b) is finally out! This has been a journey of 6 months, with 3 intensive months dedicated to training. We are proud to present a model that significantly enhances the capabilities of AI for the Armenian-speaking community. Our new model, HyGPT-10b-it, has shown outstanding performance, even outperforming some larger models on specific tasks. Key Highlights: 1) HyGPT-10b-it has demonstrated top-tier results in Armenian, especially in factual accuracy (TruthfulQA) and mathematical reasoning (GSM8K). 2) We've successfully implemented and validated a modification by separating the embedding and output layers, boosting the model's accuracy. 3) Community Collaboration: This project was made possible with the invaluable assistance of Artak Hovsepian (NCCAIT) in data collection and the computational resources from the Nvidia Inception Program. We believe in the power of open-source and have made HyGPT available for everyone. Dive into our comprehensive tech report to learn more about our methodology and findings: https://lnkd.in/eTXku4Ns You can download the model from Hugging Face here: https://lnkd.in/eXAD6V7Y Want to see it in action? Test HyGPT on Telegram: https://lnkd.in/eY7DEm6Q We are excited to see what the community will build with HyGPT!

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Moving to the US could be a startup's best move    Relocation to the US significantly increases the chances for international startups to become unicorns, according to our research.    For example, 44 Israeli VC-backed startups that moved to the US reached unicorn status. By contrast, only 3 unicorns in a comparable US-based sample were based in Israel. This suggests that Israeli startups relocating to the US are about 15 times more likely to achieve unicorn status.    We observed similar trends for other countries:  – India-founded startups relocating to the US are 6 times more likely to become unicorns (12 vs 2).  – UK-founded companies see an 8.5 times greater chance of achieving unicorn status after moving to the US (17 vs 2).    These numbers indicate that the US offers unique advantages for high-potential startups from around the globe, particularly from countries like Israel, India, and the UK.    Thank you to the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Venture Capital Initiative for support.    Note: all unicorns in our sample must be US-based at the time of their first unicorn round. 

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Exciting moment for us at Edventure.il! Our Co-Founder, Or Gibly, sat down with Danny Roup on ערוץ 10- ערוץ הכלכלה Economy Show to share our journey and vision. At Edventure.il, we believe every student deserves a personalized path to success. By combining artificial intelligence with differentiated teaching tools, we empower teachers in the classroom and enable students to learn in the way that best fits their unique style. Our mission is clear: - Deliver AI-driven tools tailored to each student’s learning journey - Support teachers with innovative solutions for differentiated instruction - Maximize every student’s potential, regardless of background We’ve come a long way, and the road ahead is even more exciting. 🚀 This interview is another step in spreading our message - that the future of education is personalized, equitable, and powered by AI. Watch the full interview here 👇 https://lnkd.in/d9HJaccR #EdTech #ArtificialIntelligence #PersonalizedLearning #FutureOfEducation #AIinEducation #DifferentiatedInstruction #StudentSuccess #EdventureIL #EducationInnovation #LearningTransformation #TeachersOfTomorrow

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𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 8 𝒊𝒔 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏’𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚. A good moment to talk not about statistics, but about impact. Around the world, millions of people benefit from technologies created and led by Israeli women entrepreneurs and innovators. Their work improves healthcare, supports clean energy, helps people all around the World live better lives, and expands opportunities for the next generation of engineers. Here are just a few examples: 🔹 𝐃𝐫. 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐤𝐲, 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 https://lnkd.in/dz43jcJT Her AI systems analyze medical data to predict diseases earlier and help doctors make better decisions. Earlier diagnosis means more effective treatment and better quality of life for patients. 🔹 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 (𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐲) 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥, 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬.𝐀𝐈 https://serenus.ai Her company uses AI to prioritize patients waiting for medical procedures and match them with the right care faster. Hospitals save time. Patients receive treatment sooner. 🔹 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐢 𝐆𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐬, 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢.𝐀𝐈 https://sensi.ai Sensi uses AI to support caregivers and monitor the wellbeing of elderly people living at home. Technology that helps families protect those who need care the most. 🔹 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐂𝐨-𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐜𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 https://lnkd.in/d6wHYN65 Her company generates renewable electricity from ocean waves. A step toward cleaner energy and a more sustainable planet. 🔹 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐤, 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬 https://she-codes.org Through education and community she helps thousands of women enter the tech profession. This means more talent, more ideas, and more innovation for the global economy. These leaders are not just building startups. They are helping solve some of the most important challenges of our time. Better healthcare. Cleaner energy. Longer and healthier lives. More inclusive innovation. Technology changes the world. But people who build it change lives. March 8 is a good day to recognize the women innovators who are shaping that future and to wish them every success on the way they chose for themselves. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆! #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInTech #Innovation #HealthTech #AI #ClimateTech #IsraelTech

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