In the past decade, as I’ve traveled around the world and interacted with investors and large companies, I’ve always felt a sense of greatness. I never felt like a foreigner, but rather someone special, like a unicorn, who knows how to create something out of nothing and is applauded by everyone. However, relationships are truly tested during times of crisis. Over the past year, I’ve imagined myself walking through a dark corridor and suddenly encountering an abyss,” said Tomer Bar-Zeev, co-founder of ironSource and current president of Unity, a gaming giant. Bar-Zeev currently resides in Silicon Valley and serves as the president of a US-based company headquartered in San Francisco.
Speaking at the Globes Israel Business Conference during a panel discussion led by Facebook Israel’s general manager, Adi Soffer Teeni, Bar-Zeev expressed his concerns about the negative sentiment prevailing in the places he frequents. The panel included other senior Israeli tech figures who are partners in Brothers and Sisters for Israel Civil Emergency HQ, an organization formed prior to October 7th to lead the high-tech protest against judicial reform.
Bar-Zeev emphasized that this is not only a war but also a political challenge that needs to be investigated further. He pointed out that most international public companies have minority groups with official representation, who receive budgets from management to promote their agendas. However, Israel and Judaism are not considered minorities in these companies. Bar-Zeev stated, “We have never felt like a minority in the past, but there comes a point where public companies have to decide who they support and which narrative they promote, both internally and externally. This ultimately affects Silicon Valley, a place known for its progressiveness.”
Soffer Teeni acknowledged the current crisis Israel is facing, including a wave of antisemitism worldwide. She stressed the importance of the high-tech industry as a critical path for the country to overcome these challenges. She highlighted that 54% of Israeli exports, 18% of GDP, and 12% of employees in the economy are associated with the high-tech industry. Additionally, she emphasized that 34% of income tax comes from the tech industry, underscoring its significance for Israel’s economic resilience.
Gigi Levy-Weiss, a serial investor and founding partner of NFX, expressed his concern about the low number of new startups founded in Israel. He attributed this decline to the ongoing war and the preceding political crisis. Levy-Weiss compared the situation to the US, where the number of new tech companies is steadily rising.
Shlomo Dovrat, founder and general partner of Viola Ventures, highlighted the impact of the current crisis on Israel’s economy. He drew parallels between the current situation and the early 2000s, when Israel faced a large crisis due to personal insecurity and lack of trust in the country. Dovrat emphasized that the economy cannot be rehabilitated without restoring personal security and trust in the state.
The panel also discussed the efforts made by tech companies to assist residents of the Gaza border during the war. Micah Kaufman, CEO of Fiverr, talked about the support provided by tech companies through Brothers and Sisters for Israel Civil Emergency HQ. He mentioned the establishment of a digital distress button called “Already Coming,” which connected citizens in need with the army and played a crucial role in rescuing hundreds of people.
The discussion concluded with the acknowledgment that the Israeli tech industry has shown its maturity and commitment to national missions. The panelists agreed that high-tech is here to stay and plays a vital role in the country’s future. They expressed the desire to see a more united and efficient state infrastructure that brings people together rather than dividing them.
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