Urgency. Israel started 70-plus years ago and has become a global leader. They did this while fighting wars. They inherited a land no one wanted and had no real resources.
They had no water. They couldn’t grow food. They had to solve this and did so with urgency. So, their approach today carries the same urgency. We do not measure urgency the same way they do. We believe we have time, they believe they are out of time. I think this drives a more aggressive culture (good and bad) but, for sure, drives faster results.
Failing is OK. Move on. Failing is part of the journey. Israel’s startup ecosystem doesn’t score you down for failing.
If something has a 5% chance of succeeding, go for it. No dream is too big.
Impossible just means more time. I found this so inspiring but also hard to act on.
Solve today’s problems in Israel and approach globally.
Don’t focus on technology for the sake of technology. Focus on the problem and find the right technology solution. Very practical.
The country has a focus. The government together with universities, venture capitalists, and businesses focus on specific areas: cyber, climate tech, pharma, AI, etc. This collective focus leads to results.
Today, data is pretty much at the center of any solution they focus on. Digital farming is a great example. If data can’t be collected and monetized, whatever you’re doing won’t be a solution.
Seaweed—wow, so many learnings: 70% of the world is water, 70% of the oxygen is produced by seaweed, 70% of the human body is water. Conclusions: seaweed and humans are very well aligned. The seaweed, however, if not pure could be harmful because of heavy metals, which exist in most seaweed produced in the sea. Lots more to learn here.
Very few people spend any time focusing on measuring below the soil level—wow. Unbelievable. How could we be so shallow. No pun intended.
We should get Israeli counterparts to the Philippines to visit with us in areas we are focused on. We probably share the same problems but may focus on the solution in a different way. Examples, carbon capture, vertical farming, aqua farming, seaweed, digital twin, water.
Israel needs more beta sites for its companies. They need places like the Philippines to test solutions.
Lastly, leadership is ingrained into their system early through required military service. A 22-year-old allready leads a team of 100. They build skills and confidence. Didn’t realize how that jumpstarts their process.
