In this special episode, we speak with Professor Haim Zvi Dotan.

Prof Dotan embodies the intersection of innovation, artistry, and forward-thinking design.

He’s an internationally renowned architect, poet, educator, and futurist.

He’s the visionary mind behind the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge- the world’s first, longest, and highest glass-bottom bridge - a stunning architectural marvel that has become an iconic landmark in China and a symbol of bold innovation worldwide.

He’s been recognized for his groundbreaking contributions, earning numerous honors, including the title of “Honorary Citizen of Zhangjiajie” and the prestigious iNNOVEX Global Leader of Innovation Award.

Beyond his architectural accomplishments, he’s a dedicated educator, sharing his expertise as a professor at leading institutions like Fudan University, the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, and the DeTao Masters Academy.

And above all of this, he’s truly a special spirit.

We discuss:

• The concept of time and the journey of life

• Prof. Dotan’s belief that every person is a genius if they connect to their inner soul and DNA

• The role of education in connecting students to their inner wisdom and the importance of passion and curiosity in achieving success.

• How creativity is linked to being fully aware of the now

• The concept of being a "startup nation" and how everyone has a unique mission and passion that they should follow

• The importance of following one's passion and not being afraid to explore different paths in life

• Prof. Dotan’s passion for being a bridge between people and how this has shaped his career and life

• The importance of being oneself and not trying to fit into societal expectations or the expectations of others.

• And much more!

This episode is dedicated to Miri Perlman, a 25-year-old student of Professor Dotan who passed away unexpectedly. Shortly before her passing, Miri attended Professor Dotan’s workshop, “Green Cities and Smart Building” at HIT. During the workshop, she drew a portrait of Professor Dotan, and he captured a photo of her while drawing. Tragically, this photo turned out to be the last picture taken of her alive.

In many ways, this episode is a reminder of how fragile life truly is, and how important it is to truly try to tap into the best version of ourselves and do the best with what we have because we only have one life.

We hope you listen to this unique episode.

In this episode, we speak with Idan Waller

Idan is the founder of the 10M club, one of the most coveted business consulting companies in Israel for SMBs. Through the club Idan has changed lives, helping 10x the paychecks of thousands of entrepreneurs.

He’s a die-hard digital entrepreneur, growing up working with the best business minds, marketers and copywriters in the US and Israel. He’s also a leading local Israeli podcast host.

His latest metamorphosis was breaking into tech, where he and his brother founded Bluethrone - a startup that acquires product market fit consumer apps from indie developers and small studios, and then grows them into iconic companies.

We discuss:

• Mediocracy as a driver for growth

• How Idan discovered entrepreneurship and his writing abilities

• The power of “away motivation”

• The value of aggressive goals and facing fears when building a business

• Managing scaling teams through systems and processes

• What it’s like working with family

• The importance of having experienced investors who understand the realities of running a profitable business

• And much more

Enjoy your listen

In this episode we speak with someone who has truly climbed his way to the top, starting from humble beginnings and pushing forward with determination.

Oshri Deri, began his career at just 14 years old, working as a dishwasher. From there, he transitioned into hospitality, moving from service roles to high-level management.

Oshri has managed some of Israel’s most prestigious hotels, and then went on to spearhead Brown Hotels’ European expansion, particularly in Greece.

Nowadays he’s a real estate entrepreneur, leading million-dollar deals across Israel and Greece.

We discuss:

• The importance of optimism, resilience, and the human element in leadership

• The challenges faced in the hospitality sector

• How crisis can lead to transformative leadership experiences.

• The power of constructive feedback as an engine for growth

• The value of adapting to new challenges and continuously evolving as a leader

• The impact of social media and changing industry dynamics

• And more!

Enjoy your listen

In this episode, we speak with Shmuel Mizrachi Ginat. He’s an entrepreneur and venture capital investor with deep experience in business development, capital raising, investments, and M&As.

Shmuel has helped raise close to 100 million USD for over 80 startups and has personally invested in 17 Israeli startups. He’s the founder of Crowdinnio, a holding company with ventures in P2P lending, secondary markets, crowdfunding, and more.

He also founded EvE, an investment banking firm specializing in M&As, guiding startups through capital growth and regulatory challenges.

We discuss:

• the challenges of investing in early-stage startups and the importance of diversifying investments

• how Shmuel’s belief that his generation onwards will live at least till 100 impacts his investment strategy

• the importance of chemistry between co-founders and the need for a strong team to support each other

• growing a network while being an outsider in a new market

• And much more!

We hope you enjoy your listen!

In this episode we speak with Roy Avidor. Roy is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cymbio, a game-changing retail tech startup.

Cymbio is a marketplace and dropship automation platform that helps brands like New Balance, Lacoste, Steve Madden, and many more scale their digital sales effortlessly.

With over 15 years of experience in retail, wholesale, and eCommerce, Roy knows the industry inside and out.

He's also a shareholder and board member at I.A IL and owns and runs the multi-brand retail chain "Originals." He’s previously served as a Senior Economic Advisor to Israel's Minister of Industry and Trade and is a member of YPO - the global leadership community of extraordinary CEOs.

We discuss:

- Co-Founder relationship and initial bootstrapping

- The importance of working with investors who act as partners

- The potential conflict between personal and professional relationships

- The power of trust and communication

- The significance of listening to customers and adapting to their feedback

- Balancing stability and growth

- The sense of responsibility and urgency that comes with leading a startup

- And much more

We hope you enjoy your listen.

In this episode, we speak with Aviad Harell - the Managing Partner at Team8, a global VC with deep domain expertise that builds and invests in companies specializing in enterprise technologies, cyber, AI, and fintech.

He’s a seasoned angel investor and adviser to numerous startups, VCs, and executives.

Before joining Team8, he co-founded Sisense, a powerhouse in the business intelligence space. Under his leadership, Sisense thrived, achieving $150 million in annual revenue and growing to over 800 employees.

He's seen the highs and lows of the startup world, and his journey is full of valuable lessons.

We discuss:

• Aviad’s journey, including the early days of Sisense, working long hours and enjoying the "joy of creation" without much direction or success.

• The shift in expectations for new startups, from building a product to generating revenue quickly.

• Difficulties the Sisense team faced in raising institutional funding due to lack of professionalism in pitching and business model.

• Insights on company growth, funding, and pitching

• A professional CEOs' impact on startup growth

• What Aviad looks for in founding teams

• Where grit plays in

• And much more

Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with a special guest—Prof. Ehud Menipaz. Not only is he an international academic leader and a leading figure in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation, but he also happens to be Ronen’s father, which adds a special dimension to this conversation.

Prof. Menipaz's career spans several impressive roles: a former senior partner at Ernst & Young International, a Professor Emeritus at Ben Gurion University, and an esteemed author and lecturer.

His expertise stretches across aeronautical, mechanical, and industrial engineering, all the way to business administration. He's significantly influenced academic and professional communities worldwide, serving on prestigious forums under the leadership of global leaders like U.S. Presidents and even Russia’s Putin.

He chairs the Board of Governors at The National Association of Engineers, Architects, and Academics in the Technological Sciences and has played a pivotal role in advancing science literacy globally.

He's also deeply involved in fostering young entrepreneurs through initiatives like Junior Achievement-Young Entrepreneurs Israel.

We discuss:

- Entrepreneurship research and its impact on local economies

- Gender inequality in tech and entrepreneurship, with insights on innovation in academia

- Innovating in academia through an entrepreneurial mindset and tapping into relevant issues

- The importance of tenacity and focus

- How to maintain Jewish identity and pride in the face of global anti-Semitism

- The potential of a small group of people with diverse skills to contribute to the world's future

- And much more

We hope you enjoy your listen

In this episode, we speak with Omri Hurwitz. He's a tech marketer and media strategist. His clients are some of the leading companies, billionaires, and tech startups He is also an investor and owns several media publications in the United States. And yet he’s only 28 years old.

We discuss:

• Media ownership, investing, and transparency the ease of regulations in the US compared to Israel.

• How Omri found solace in writing during difficult times, and his unique approach and self-belief that led to eventual success, despite initial rejection from gatekeepers.

• The importance of seeking feedback but not becoming obsessed with it.

• The importance of speed in promotion - getting a product or company in a position of trust and influence as quickly as possible.

• How podcast interviews with successful investors ended up with Omri becoming an investor.

• Decisiveness and aggressiveness in entrepreneurship.

• How Omri manifests desires through writing (including gratitude for what has not yet happened!)

• The law of attraction, manifestation and asking the universe for opportunities.

• A tactic of asking for something bigger after a rejection, to increase the chances of success.

• And much more!

Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we interview Sagive Greenspan, a professional with two decades of experience navigating the complexities of the telecom and financial sectors.

Sagive has tackled numerous executive roles, managed large-scale projects, and led teams in both development and client engagement. He’s also experienced in business development and running large delivery organizations.

Beyond the roles and responsibilities, Sagive has been key in integrating acquired companies into vast organizations, directing teams of over 2000 people.

We discuss:

• Managing complexities in business, including global expansion, acquisitions, and team management during reserve duty

• Managing large-scale operations and teams, with emphasis on culture and strategy alignment.

• Company culture, management, and acquisition

• Leadership qualities, creativity, and career paths

• Stress management, and personal growth

• ..and much more

Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by Donna Griffit, a world-renowned corporate storyteller, pitch alchemist, and best-selling author of “Sticking to my Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups”.

Her ability to create, edit, and deliver powerful presentations, pitches, and messages has earned her a reputation as one of the most sought-after storytellers in the business world.

For over two decades, Donna has been working extensively on a global scale, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and investors across more than 30 countries.

Her unique approach has led to outstanding results, with her clients collectively raising over $1.5 billion through her guidance.

We discuss:

• Storytelling for startups and personal growth

• Donna’s journey and what the Japanese word “ikigai” has to do with it

• The importance of empathy in storytelling

The correlation between fear and excitement

• The power of clear communication in business

• The mistake of being too factual and straight to the point

• Practical tips on how to improve storytelling

• The role of credibility, likability, and momentum

• Optimism and perception in challenging times

• And more!

Enjoy your listen!