Israeli Startups NYC

03/15/2022

So I recently reactivated my LinkedIn account after a couple of years going under the radar, and I just got this beautiful message from a volunteer who helped me with a few Israeli Startups NYC events.

There's nothing more fulfilling than knowing you made a positive impact on someone's life!


And so I wanted to ask you for 2 things:

1. Reach out to someone who made a positive impact on your life. Let them know you cherish them, and how significant they were (and still are) to the person you are today.
A lot of times, we have no idea what other people are going through, and these little reminders are often all one needed to hear.

2. If Israeli Startups NYC or myself had any positive impact on you, your life, or your business, please let me know!


Hope you have an awesome day and we'll be in touch soon!

Lior Vaknin

04/19/2018

Calcalist's 2018 List of 50 Most Promising Israeli Startups

https://m.calcalistech.com/Article.aspx?guid=3736364

Happy Independence day Israel 🇮🇱

Long known as a hotbed for innovative quick-to-sell startups, Israel is now home to over 200 growth stage companies

12/12/2017

Israeli Startup in New York who's targeting Israelis in New York? Yup, you read it right - Homeis הומיז ישראלים בניו יורק

http://www.businessinsider.com/aols-former-head-of-video-has-raised-money-to-build-a-facebook-plus-yelp-plus-tinder-for-immigrants-2017-12

AOL's former head of video has raised money to build a social app for immigrants. The explosion in foreign-born population presents a major opportunity.

09/23/2017

07/29/2017

07/04/2017

What 4th Of July Mean To Israelis

Like and share if you agree!

Happy Independence Day America 🇺🇸🇮🇱

If you would ask the average Israeli, even the one living in America, what Independence Day means to him besides Macy’s Parade, Fireworks and BBQs in the Hamptons, he would probably tell you “not much”. And to be honest, I would have answered the same about a month ago…

It’s not because Israelis are selfish, ungrateful or whatever prejudice reason you can come up with, the reason is one – lack of education!

Before I started my journey to promote Israel in all 50 states, I didn’t know much about the American history. It’s not something you learn in high schools in Israel, there’s no organize field trips to the US and no public discussion about the relations between Jewish people, Israel and the United States.

Just now, a month to my journey, I’m starting to appreciate this historical connection and see America in a different light.

Only after walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, learning about people such as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, I started to understand what the Revolutionary War meant for the people living in the thirteen colonies and how similar their fight for freedom was to this of the Jewish people living in Palestine under British mandate pre Israel’s Independence in 1948.

Only after visiting the Touro Synagogue in Newport Rhode Island, founded in 1763 and is the oldest standing synagogue in the US, and hearing of George Washington’s letter to the Jewish Congregation of Newport, promising Jews will be protected and will be able to live freely in the new independent country, I started grasping how strong the connection between American Jews and the United States really is.

This took me a month of personal exploration and true interest in this country’s history to really appreciate it and be proud of what United States represents.

Now imagine the average American kid, who knows nothing about the land of Israel, about the historical connection of the Jewish people to its land, about the prosecution Jewish people have been under for thousands of years until they finally got a state of their own, and you’ll start to understand why our work to better the image of Israel is so challenging.

Proper Education Should Be a Joint Effort Of All Jewish Organizations In America!

Lobbying groups such as AIPAC, need to push not only to protect the military aid for Israel, but also push for mandatory Jewish history in the middle east.

Community-focused groups such as IAC, JCC and the Jewish Federation, need to promote after-school programs on the history of middle east, that are open to the wider public and encourage non-Jewish people to participate.

Tech focused initiatives (yes, such as my journey to promote Israel’s “Startup Nation” in all 50 States), should aim to reach students all across the country and help them learn about job and internship opportunities in Israeli tech companies in all major US cities and explain them how Israeli tech can help improve their quality of life and well being.

It’s a joint effort of all of us and we must focus on education first, prevention second – That’s the way to win the American vote!

On that note, I want to wish you all Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

06/26/2017

https://medium.com//relocating-to-the-us-bay-area-or-new-york-city-2a612311c292

In my previous post, I have discussed why it’s almost always better for an Israeli startup CEO to move to the US as the company matures…

06/12/2017

- Letter from Israeli Startups NYC Founder Lior Vaknin -

Dear community,

Sorry I haven't sent you an update from my journey earlier, the past week and half were quite an experience :)

Before I share with you what I've been through, 2 important updates:

1. Right now I'm in New Haven Connecticut and I want to make the most out of my time in CT before I move on.
I know it's a super short notice and it's summer so lots of people are away, but if you know of any community or group I can speak in front of and share my story - "Israel's Secret Weapon for Fighting BDS - Startup Nation" please let me know!

2. I am planning on hitting Rhode Island and Massachusetts between 6/15-7/1. If you have any connections there, please make sure to introduce me!

As for my journey so far, here are the highlights from the last 10 days:


*The first night I slept with an homeless person at an RV in the parking lot of a Church in Bristol CT.
*On the second day, I was questioned by the police thanks to my middle eastern looks and large backpack.
*A former drug dealer gave me shelter for the first weekend.
*I ended up buying an 82' RV from him.
*I spent a night at a parking lot of the Chabad Yeshiva in New Haven CT.
*The students were intrigued by the guy with the big car, and so I ended up giving my first talk to a group of 16 year old Yeshiva boys in my camper.
*I spent an amazing night at an ultra wealthy Jewish family in New London CT. Only to find out in the morning that my battery died and I had to bring the husband from work to help me jump start the RV.
*I was invited to spend a Shabbat at one of ISNYC community members' house in Stamford CT.
*Last night I slept with my RV at the parking lot of Trader Joe's

No one promised me (or should I say "us") the road would be easy, there won't be any difficulties on the way, or that challenges won't knock on our door day by day.

What we must remember though, is that even when circumstances are not in our control, the way we choose to deal with them and the effect we let them have on us, is!

When people ask me "what made you go for it?", I feel it would be a lie to say only promoting Israel. Although it's a huge part of it, there's more to it than just a catchy slogan!

In the paratroopers, we say "Aharai", which means "follow me", to lead by example.

How can I then, speak about innovation, entrepreneurship, the out of the box thinking Israelis have, and preach "Startup Nation", from the safe harbors of New York and the comfort living I found myself.

In my journey, I don't want to just spark the minds of people I meet with, I want to touch their hearts as well.

Show them it's OK to not know what tomorrow brings!

It's OK to take your own route and have society think you're stupid/crazy/reckless!

It's OK to be different!

IT'S OK!

The world isn't short of people who follow the herd.

The world we live in, is thanks to those who chose differently, those who paved their own way!

And even though Israelis carry this character trait very proudly, we all have in us a special talent/gift that for which we came to the world.

My hopes, that in this journey of mine, I will be able to help as many people as possible to learn about the beautiful things Israel is bringing to the world, and remind them of the beautiful things they have to share with it as well.
Truly Yours,
Lior

P.S -

To support my journey "Promoting Israel In All 50 States" - https://www.gofundme.com/3t6z3s8

05/30/2017

We want to thank you all for coming to this Spring Mixer!

Special thanks to Noa Fort and Kosha Dillz for amazing performance!

Also big thank you to our sponsors Social Drink & Food and The Green Room 42!

05/30/2017

05/11/2017

Kosha Dillz, one of the coolest people in the music industry (and by far the coolest Jewish Rapper out there), will be performing live at ISNYC Spring Mixer 2017!

After live shows at SXSW, Sundance Music Festival, Coachella and many of the world's best stages, Kosha Dillz (born Rami Matan Even-Esh), the NJ born, Indie rapper , will hit one of his last stops in his OY VEY! tour - Israeli Startups NYC Spring Mixer 2017!

Tickets Are limited - Get Yours Now!

http://isnycspringmixer2017.splashthat.com/fbevent

05/03/2017

Hi all,

We're moving the date of the mixer, AGAIN!

We know, it suck, and we're not that thrilled about it either.
But this coming Sunday the weather is going to be in the 50°s, cloudy with potential rain. And as much as we want to see you all, we're not looking to do an ISNYC Spring Mixer 2017 when the rooftop is closed!

This is supposed to be a fun and energetic event, full of great vibes and lots of 🌞

Besides, we're a true believer that everything is happening for the best, and the new date (Wednesday 5/24), will allow the parents among you to attend as well without ruining your family weekend plans :)

Here is The New Date of The Event -

When - Wednesday, May 24th 6pm - 10pm

Where - Green fig, Yotel Terrace, 570 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036

To Get Your Tickets Today - https://isnycspringmixer2017.splashthat.com

Looking forward seeing you all and wish you an amazing rest of the week!

05/02/2017

If you're looking to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut and not sure where to go, I recommend checking the party at the MARQUEE.

It's the largest Israeli Independence day party outside of Israel, and it's organized by some of the best groups in town!

Tonight, 11pm at Marquee - https://israelindependence2017.eventbrite.com/?aff=isnyc

03/13/2017

Good morning Startup Nation! 😎

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/13/intel-to-buy-mobileye-for-14-billion-to-15-billion-israeli-media-report.html

Intel has agreed to buy Israeli technology firm Mobileye for $14 billion to $15 billion dollars, according to TheMarker, one of Israel's leading financial newspapers.

03/08/2017

Here is the HQ video from our How to Raise Venture Capital Event (ICYMI)!

00:00-03:33 - Opening remarks by Israeli Startups NYC Founder & President - Lior Vaknin
03:33-05:25 - Sponsor presentation Jacob Sapochnick from San Diego Immigration Lawyer, Jacob J. Sapochnick
05:25-07:50 - Sponsor presentation Tal Hacohen from Orrick
07:50-09:40- Sponsor presentation Boris Bronshteyn from Hasbara Fellowships
09:40-18:20 - Guest Startup Pitch - Ken Zamkow from SportsGuru
18:20- 1:27:35 - How to Raise Venture Capital Panel discussion - Panelists: Jessica Peltz Zatulove (kbs+ Ventures), Aaron Dubin (Innovation Endeavors), David Teten (ff Venture Capital) and Lluís Pedragosa (Marker LLC). Moderator - Lior Vaknin (Israeli Startups NYC)

03/07/2017

We want to thank you all for coming to our How to Raise Venture Capital event!

Special thanks to our awesome panelists David Teten (ff Venture Capital) Aaron Dubin (Innovation Endeavors) Jessica Peltz Zatulove (kbs+ Ventures) and Lluís Pedragosa (Marker LLC)

And of course our sponsors: Orrick San Diego Immigration Lawyer, Jacob J. Sapochnick Hasbara Fellowships Uplift and WeWork

Photo credit: Idost_nyc