Israeli VC on Sand Hill road

Next Phase Wireless Delegation

Today is the last day of a 4-day tour of an Israeli wireless company delegation.   The tour was organized jointly by the CICC, Counsulate General of Israel and the Israel Mobile Association.  8 Israeli start-ups participated in the tour which travelled to Seattle and Silicon Valley.  The companies met with executives from Microsoft, IBM, T-Mobile, Motorola, Yahoo, Intel, British Telecom and others, as well as the with Service Provider Investment Forum - SPIF.  For the full program click here.

The main event was a showcase, which attracted over 100 representatives from industry  and the financial community (VC's). Companies had an opportunity to present and schedule 1-on-1 meetings with the most relevant of participants.  Kudo's to Shuly Galili, Tsach Segal and Eyal Reshef for puting it together - it's taken many months of hard work.

Israeli start-ups please take notice --- these events can be very worthwhile, save you time in the organizing and get you contacts into the right places.

Link to the CICC website for info on upcoming events - the next one on April 5th discusses Technology M&A and then on May 10th, with Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen as part of the CEO Forum.

The Bar Mitzvah years

2006 is a double Bar Mitzvah year for me (no, I don't have twins): Gemini Israel Funds turned 13 in January, and this coming June will be the 13th birthday of my oldest son Jonathan.  Gemini's Bar Mitzvah pretty much came and went unnoticed; no preparation required, no parties, no fanfare.  Our team just emerged that much more "mature" and experienced.  My son's Bar Mitzvah is quite a different story.  Last evening we met with the Rabbi in preparation for the big event. There is a lot to learn: blessings, Haftorah , Maftir and other things relating to the actual Bar Mitzvah.  In addition, Jonathan has opted to lead his family on a tour of the Western Wall Tunnels, which requires additional studying  (check out the Bar Mitzvah section of thekotel.org).  Quite the project for a 13 year old... great practice for the years to follow.

 

Presenting to US VC's

Early in the life of an Israeli start-up, they travel abroad to gather feedback from the market, as well as from the Silicon Valley venture community.  Yesterday, a Gemini seed company - PrimeSense - embarked on their maiden voyage down Sand Hill road.  I joined their 4th VC presentation that day!  That's when it dawned on me, that a non-Israeli company (e.g. a Sunnyvale-based one), would not attempt 4 in a day, but would rather spread them out.  Perhaps 1 every other day, learning from each meeting, modifying the presentation a bit, and giving enough time to recover from what they deem interogation.  The guys at PrimeSense did a terrific job.... but were certainly relieved when that day was over.

In essence, it's just a small example of an issue our Israeli start-ups have to deal with.... I wish they were all as easy to overcome.

About PrimeSense

Prime Sense revolutionizes the way digital devices "see" the world.
Humans rely on their senses to perceive and interact with the world. Prime Sense focuses on the first sense, vision, by giving digital devices a 3D perception of reality.

My first time

I suppose, there's a first time for everything.... and it's high time to get this blog started.  I'll start by saying what it is I'll be blogging about:

• Issues facing Israeli startups
• Raising 3 boys (ages 2,8 and 12)
• Professional women
• Digital Photography

I suppose that will keep me busy for awhile..... stay tuned.