AI fabric adapts to our feelings, Michael Fertik ups Israeli investments post Oct. 7

Inside Israeli Innovation with Maayan Hoffman: Season 2, Episode 10

 Michael Fertik (photo credit: Heroic Ventures)
Michael Fertik
(photo credit: Heroic Ventures)

In this week’s episode of Inside Israeli Innovation, Maayan Hoffman takes listeners all over the innovation landscape.

We start with a conversation with Michael Fertik, managing director and founder of Heroic Ventures, who shares his insights on investing in Israel during the Gaza war. We discuss the challenges and opportunities of investing in Israeli startups during geopolitical tensions.

Fertik highlights the resilience of the Israeli high-tech industry despite adversity but does note a decline in new Israeli startups and startup investments in Israel. However, Fertik says that despite warnings, risks and rockets, he remains “bullish” on Israel’s economy and encourages others to invest, too. 

 Cplus coat (credit: Cplus)
Cplus coat (credit: Cplus)

We then talk to Cplus, a company that has developed a new type of dynamic textile capable of responding to environmental and physiological cues. We don’t want to give it all away, but your clothing might one day know more about how you feel than you do.

 Pini Yakuel (credit: Optimove)
Pini Yakuel (credit: Optimove)

We also speak to Optimove, a company specializing in personalized marketing using artificial intelligence and big data. The company’s CEO, Pini Yakuel, talks about how to effectively market to existing clients, especially during times of crisis. 

 Ari Ben Dror (credit:  Dana Casspi)
Ari Ben Dror (credit: Dana Casspi)

Then, we wrap up with a conversation with Ari Ben Dror, vice president of sustainability and operations at the Good Food Institute Israel, about the growing food technology landscape in the Jewish state. 

About Inside Israeli Innovation

Israel is the Start-up Nation, the Scale-up Nation, the Unicorn Country. Join Maayan Hoffman for her analysis of the most critical Israeli tech innovations. In each episode, she’ll highlight a new tech trend, discuss the latest innovation news and interview at least one of Israel’s most promising companies. So if you like to know what’s on the cutting edge, this Jerusalem Post show is for you.

Listen here, on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.