Posted on 02/02/18
Jerusalem, Feb. 1, 2018 - OurCrowd, a leading global equity crowdfunding platform, concluded its largest annual investor conference in Jerusalem, Israel, on Thursday, at the Jerusalem International Conference Center. The Summit attracted 10,000 registered attendees from over 90 countries, including 1,000 startups, 500 multinational firms, and 500 venture capitalists.
Showcased were start-ups in areas of mobility technology, drones, robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and medical technology.
CEO of OurCrowd Jon Medved said, “It’s gratifying to see so much interest in Israel’s booming tech scene. The variety of venture capitalists, multinationals, startup CEOs, and investors that came together in Israel to be in one place, creating real business deals, is astounding.” AI, cyber-security, and mobility are the three areas of focus according to Medved.
Content ranged from a forum on the ethics of tech and to emerging 2018 tech trends. Almost 200 speakers, ranged from Sir Ronald Cohen “father of social investment,” and Tsutomu Wakitani, Head of Honda Robotics to Rajan Luthra, Head of Special Projects at Reliance Industries of India. Sergeant John Michael O'Hare of the Hartford, Connecticut Police Department showed how Briefcam has enabled catching criminals in his city.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat was one of the opening plenary speakers. Israeli Minister of Education Naftali Bennett participated in the closing plenary. Bennett outlined his theory for Israeli startup success, first the learning style of Torah, chavrusa and debate, secondly Israeli youth groups which teach independence and leadership, and third the IDF, Israel Defense Force army experiences.
Not all of the exhibitors were Israeli companies, the Italian Ambassador to Israel attended, especially interested in an Italian jewelry startup exhibit called Italian Artisan.
Maryland was well represented. Among the former Marylanders included in the photo essay are: Jeremy Lustman, who introduced a session on mobility, Josh Lawrence who was with his Strattic business partner, Miriam Schwab, Shira Tober, Jeremy Bandler, Moshe Schecter, Avi Lowell, Itamar Highkin and Arnie Draiman.
With the thousands of participants and various venues filling the Conference Center it was impossible to see all the fascinating innovations or interesting people.
Participants were off to Machane Yehuda after the long day of sessions for more food and networking. A number of international participants were in Israel for the first time and valued the chance to see and enjoy some of Jerusalem's sights.
