A major highlight of the Jerusalem Post’s Women Leaders Summit 2026 was the highly anticipated Women Entrepreneurs competition. Powered by The Luzzatto Group, the event celebrated female founders who combine perspective, strategy, and the courage to push boundaries in their respective fields. The initiative provided early-stage female entrepreneurs a high-profile platform to pitch their cutting-edge startups and receive vital professional guidance on intellectual property. Tamar Luzzatto, head of business development and marketing at The Luzzatto Group, served as a lead judge for the three finalists. She was joined on the judging panel by industry leaders Shira Singer, Neta Benari, and Hilla Ovil Brenner.
Following a closely contested event, the judges awarded the top prize to Dr. Maya Kahan-Hanum, co-founder and CEO of Tracells. Founded as a spin-off of the Weizmann Institute, Tracells is pioneering a reliable, non-invasive gastrointestinal diagnostic solution using a host-centric RNA platform that investigates active intestinal epithelial and immune biology. The company, which has already raised $4 million in funding, offers a critical alternative to traditional diagnostics. "We are developing a simple stool test that can reveal colonoscopy results instead of undergoing a very invasive procedure that is costly and has long wait times," Kahan-Hanum explained to the audience. She noted that the test has an accuracy above 92% in detecting inflammation for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and is also gathering clinical evidence for colorectal cancer.
The competition also showcased groundbreaking innovations in food technology. Dr. Tsipi Shoham, CEO and founder of GreenOnyx, presented her company’s "quantum farming" technology. This method uses modular, AI-controlled, sterile cultivation chambers to grow "wanna greens" derived from natural Wolffia plants. Shoham emphasized the critical need for accessible, fresh nutrition. "How much health do we leave on the table, just because healthy choices are not easy?" she asked, adding that "treatment is critical, but prevention is powerful." Shoham proudly announced that GreenOnyx is prepared for a major nationwide rollout in Israel and will launch in a leading national retail chain in just three weeks.
Addressing global agricultural challenges, Dr. Liat Avrahami Moyal, co-founder of Fungit Biosolutions, presented her agro-biotech company’s mission to improve food security and reduce crop losses. Having built a biobank of over 150 unique fungi collections, Fungit uses micro-fungi that act as a "probiotic for plants." These natural, non-GMO microorganisms live within plant tissue without causing harm, helping crops survive extreme climate conditions such as drought, heat, and salinity. Summarizing her company's vision, Moyal described her journey toward "world resilience, powered by fungi."
Concluding the pitches, Tamar Luzzatto praised the "brilliant women with incredible ideas" before officially announcing Tracells as the winner. “We are proud to present this award for the fifth consecutive year,” Luzzatto told the Jerusalem Post. “Its importance continues to grow, especially in times like these, underscoring the value of putting women entrepreneurs at the forefront. The three finalists demonstrated exceptional talent and groundbreaking innovation, making the selection process challenging. Our warmest congratulations go to Dr. Maya Cohen Hanum,we eagerly anticipate her next steps and the impact she will make on the field of advanced diagnostics. We are proud of every woman who stepped forward to take center stage, and The Luzzatto Group remains a steadfast partner in supporting your journey,” she said, wrapping up an inspiring and forward-looking segment of the Women Leaders Summit 2026.
Written in collaboration with The Luzzatto Group