Tel Aviv is one of the best places on the planet to build a tech startup, but most of the early-stage entrepreneurs we speak to aren't aware of the local tech resources that are available to help them.
With applications for the Tel Aviv Founder Institute now open, we're excited to release the Tel Aviv Startup Resource Guide, which is currently in Draft v1 below! It was developed by the Tel Aviv Founder Institute and local leaders: Johnathan Aloni (Biz Dev & Legal Manager, A.L. Venture Capital Limited Partnership), Nadav Kaidar (CEO, Enablers Digital Marketing), Roy Sivan (Roy Sivan, Simitu)
This is just a draft, and while we spent many hours on this research, more input is needed. Please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document to help us complete the list. There are definitely omissions on this current version.
Are you looking to build a startup in Tel Aviv? Then apply to the Tel Aviv Founder Institute today!
Text version included below, for ease of searching:
Startup Stages
There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.
1. Idea Stage
This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.
Inspire
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Tel Aviv Startup Media: Centralized local information, listings, and news. (i.e. startup blogs/ publications/ lists/ FB groups/ newsletters)
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Tel Aviv Inspirational Startup Events: Open, inclusive, beginner tech events that often focus on ideation. (i.e. Startup Weekend, idea fairs, and inspirational meetups)
Educate
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Best Practices Startup Events: Beginner knowledge-sharing events. (i.e. beginner events that serve to educate more than inspire, like 1 Million Cups, Startup Grind, Startup Founder 101, etc).
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Training & Feedback: Skill & Idea development events and bootcamps for entrepreneurs. (Ex. bootcamps and comprehensive training programs, like Founder Institute, General Assembly, Lean Startup Machine, code camps, etc)
Validate
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Team Formation: Events and Resources for finding co-founders and early teams in Tel Aviv. (i.e. events or other resources that facilitate early-stage recruitment and cofounder matching)
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Tel Aviv Product Workshops: Hackathons & resources to help build your first product. (i.e. hackathons and other builder-focused events and resources)
2. Launch Stage
In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.
Start
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Establish: Startup law firms & banks that specialize in helping new companies
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Workspace: Co-working and flexible workspaces (note: “official” office space goes in 3.1.a. Infrastructure)
Develop
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Formalize: Accounting, CPAs, development, and HR resources for early-stage startups.
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Prepare for Seed: Startup incubators and advanced mentorship. (i.e. advanced knowledge sharing, later stage events and resources for startup teams)
Launch
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Tel Aviv Seed Accelerators: Seed funding mentor programs (Techstars-style programs that provide funding)
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Pitch & Demo Days: Showcases for Tel Aviv startups to present to investors (i.e. demo days for companies seeking seed investment)
3. Growth Stage
Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.
Recognition
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Tel Aviv Investor Networking: Events and groups that connect professional investors (venture capitalists and angel investors) with founders.
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Major Tech Media: Mainstream business press and tech media. (i.e. major local or regional publications that frequently champion local businesses)
Funding
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Tel Aviv Angel Investors and Micro-VCs: A list of early and seed-stage investors
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Tel Aviv Venture Capitalists: Series A and beyond
Growth
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Infrastructure: Office space, HR, local business insurance. (i.e. office space/ HR/ insurance providers for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
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Tel Aviv Startup Scaling: Growth accelerators and tech consultants. (i.e. programs and business consultants for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
4. Success Stories
Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.
Supporters
To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.
1. Tech Evangelists
A list of potential advisors. Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies. (i.e. Local leaders who have taken a leadership position, speak at a lot of startup events, mentor all the programs, etc.)
2. Startup Government Resources
Public startup programs, grants, and other services that facilitate local economic development.
3. Talent
Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.
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Local Tel Aviv Universities (universities with prominent technical or business programs)
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Local Tel Aviv Employers (Major technical employers, like Microsoft or Google or large local companies, with large local offices)
Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and leave us your thoughts on the Tel Aviv Canvas on this collaborative Google document (This is just a draft, and more input is needed!)
