LeumiTech CEO: "In a world where uncertainty is certain, the Israeli entrepreneur has a distinct advantage"

“Being an entrepreneur in 2025 means moving forward while the ground beneath you is constantly shifting. If we look at the past few years, uncertainty has taken on a whole new dimension, and we feel it in almost every area of our personal and business lives,” said Maya Eisen Zafrir, CEO of LeumiTech, opening the Dream Team event at the Mind the Tech London 2025 conference by Calcalist and Bank Leumi.

According to Eisen Zafrir, “Entrepreneurs and investors around the world are dealing with three main types of uncertainty. The first is uncertainty around funding sources. After a decade of near-zero interest rates, money is now more expensive. Uncertainty about interest rate trends and macroeconomic forecasts makes raising long-term financing increasingly difficult. Then there is globalization: we see geopolitical tensions on every front and every continent. Trump’s new tariff plan is shaking up the rules of global trade, and all of this makes global expansion a real challenge.

“Furthermore, with all the incredible advances AI is bringing to the world, it is clearly reshaping the way our industry operates. It allows entrepreneurs to achieve more with fewer resources, creating more solo ventures than ever before. Investors are readjusting their analytical tools, redefining criteria and KPIs. And so, as we see this bubble inflating before our eyes, we have no choice but to be part of it, and to navigate our way through this uncertainty.”

“And for us Israelis, we always take it one step further,” she added. “In the past two years, uncertainty has become an integral part of our daily lives. In fact, growing out of uncertainty has become part of the secret of Israeli high-tech. And when you talk about that secret, it’s natural to draw inspiration from a leader. Winston Churchill said that kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. At LeumiTech we see this firsthand. Working with thousands of startups and funds in Israel, we witness the incredible skills that Israeli entrepreneurs have developed.”

“Israeli startups are not only showing resilience in the face of uncertainty, they are demonstrating anti-fragility: not just withstanding pressure, but actually growing from it. They excel in turning headwinds into opportunity. And that brings me to the reason why we are here, on this important stage in London,” said Eisen Zafrir.

“Israel and European countries have long-standing ties, diplomatic, commercial, and security-related,” she continued. “But in high-tech, where Israel has a distinct advantage, the potential is still far from fully realized. To understand how much potential there is, just look at the numbers: in the first half of 2025, startups in Israel raised over $5 billion. This is healthy growth compared to 2024, and a significant jump from 2023. Israel continues to lead the world in unicorns per capita and startups per capita. And yet, according to IVC data, only about 10% of the capital invested in Israeli startups this quarter came from Europe and the UK.

“This is exactly why it is more important than ever to stand here and showcase the power of Israeli entrepreneurs and the technologies they develop, the best solutions to global problems. This is why it is so important to highlight the unique ecosystem of Israeli high-tech. For global investors, and especially for British investors, Israel is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss.”

According to Eisen Zafrir, “Israeli entrepreneurs bring a unique combination: not just innovation and breakthroughs, but innovation with an unparalleled ability to navigate uncertainty, adapt quickly, and go global from day one. Remember the kite? These are exactly the qualities the world is looking for, and that’s exactly what you’ll see from our Dream Team. They’re not just presenting their startups, each and every one of them is showcasing the unique promise of Israeli high-tech. And this is your moment to soar high with the kite, and beyond.”