Mind the Tech NY
Dream Team NY 26: The opportunity to make your startup the face of Israeli innovation in the US
Calcalist’s annual Mind the Tech Week conference returns to the Big Apple in March, and the key question for Israeli startups is not just whether to attend, but how to do it right. “This is a must-attend event for startups that want to meet the American ecosystem that supports Israel, all in one go,” says Keren Fanan, CEO of Myop, who says that following last year’s New York conference she connected with ten potential investors, two strategic companies that expressed interest in the business, and one fund willing to invest.
On March 9-12, 2026, the eyes of the high-tech and investment world will once again turn to New York. Calcalist’s annual Mind the Tech Week conference returns to the Big Apple, and the big question for Israeli startups is not just whether to participate, but how to do it right. The answer, based on Calcalist’s previous conferences around the world, is clear: the key to success lies in the “Dream Team.”
“Entrepreneurship is a long and often exhausting journey. Every door opening, meeting, or interaction with relevant people requires a great deal of effort and time. As part of the ‘Dream Team’ to New York last year, I received a response to exactly this need. In my opinion, the Mind the Tech conference is a must-attend event for startups that want to meet the American ecosystem that supports Israel in one fell swoop.” With these words, Keren Fanan, CEO of the startup Myop, summed up her experience on last year’s trip to New York.
Her remarks capture the essence of the “Dream Team”: the ability to take processes that usually require months of virtual and physical legwork and compress them into one intensive week with measurable results.
Every entrepreneur’s biggest fear is wasting resources on conferences that end in pleasant hallway conversations with no follow-through. However, evidence from the past year points to a very different pattern among Dream Team participants: converting on-stage exposure into concrete deals and investments. Data from recent delegations to London, Berlin, and New York suggest this is not a marketing slogan, but a genuine business growth engine. For CEOs and founders considering whether to apply, the answer lies in the success stories of their peers.
For Roy Naaman, CEO of Torr FoodTech, who joined the delegation to London, the conference proved to be a turning point in raising capital. “During the conference, I met a local strategic investor,” Naaman says. “The investor saw our pitch on the main stage, and we stayed in touch in the weeks that followed. I’m happy to say that he has since invested in the company as part of our current funding round.”
In the case of Michal Hubschmann, entrepreneur and CEO of Always Connect, who participated in the Berlin delegation, the value materialized as a strategic commercial deal. Hubschmann says the experience opened doors that had previously been closed. “The connections made during the delegation led to advanced negotiations with a government organization in Germany, toward a deal worth approximately €1.5 million,” she says. For her, the delegation created a “significant shortcut” to conversations with real decision-makers.
One of the delegation’s notable advantages, organized by Calcalist and Showcase IL, is access to organizations that cannot be reached through LinkedIn alone. Nimrod Bin-Nun of the medical technology company RespirAI describes how the Berlin delegation created a direct connection with GTAI, the official economic development arm of the German government. “The company has already gone through two stages of dialogue with the organization, and follow-up meetings are planned,” Bin-Nun says, “with the aim of connecting the technology to local players, investors, and government support mechanisms.” He notes “high enthusiasm and a sense of real potential.”
Shira Doron, CEO of Alviv Laser Solutions, experienced similar momentum in Berlin. Her company began the year in advanced negotiations with local hospitals and angel investor groups, a development she attributes to the significant exposure the event provided for its medical laser solutions.
Keren Fanan also says that following the New York conference, she contacted ten potential investors, two strategic companies that showed interest beyond investment, and one fund that expressed willingness to join the round as a follower investor. “Being part of the delegation means representing Israeli innovation, being center stage, not in the audience,” she says.
Ahead of the upcoming delegation in March 2026, expectations are rising even higher. The delegation is accompanied by a “Leadership Board,” a steering committee of industry executives tasked with preparing the startups and opening doors. Alongside veteran members Maya Eisen Zafrir, CEO of LeumiTech, and attorney Yuval Horn, head of the high-tech sector at Gornitzky GNY, the leadership team for the New York 2026 delegation will also include Yafit Keret, CEO of ERB Proximo, which provides startups with financial and strategic support and services throughout all stages of growth in Israel, the US and England, and Justin Borus, founder of the Ibex Investors venture capital fund, which manages approximately $1 billion and is very active in early-stage investments in Israel.
This professional backing is especially critical given the caliber of investors expected to attend the conference’s many New York events. Among them are Josh Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital, which manages $5 billion and focuses on deep tech and security; Shardul Shah of Index Ventures, the first investor in Wiz; and Amanda Herson of Founder Collective, an early investor in companies such as Uber.
Maya Eisen Zafrir emphasized the importance of this exposure: “The world needs solutions developed by Israeli minds. Even in difficult times, we must take the stage. Our startups solve real problems, which makes them stronger and more prepared than ever to compete globally.”
Joining the delegation is not simply a matter of buying a plane ticket. Participants undergo a strict screening process and an intensive bootcamp, which includes workshops with experts on fundraising, working with foreign media, and pitching in English. Attorney Yuval Horn, who regularly accompanies the delegations, leads critical sessions on common entrepreneurial pitfalls. “It’s not always pleasant to discuss questions like what happens if a founder leaves,” he says, “but these are issues investors care deeply about. Intellectual property, founders’ agreements, and adapting technology to the market must be addressed early.”
This preparation, combined with pitch simulations led by mentors such as Idit Neuderfer, ensures that entrepreneurs arrive in Manhattan sharp and ready.
Behind the Dream Team initiative over the past year stands Hilla Ovil-Brenner, founder and CEO of Showcase IL. Her vision is clear: this is not about a trip, but about building bridges. “I founded Showcase IL out of personal experience and the understanding that the right connection with an investor can change a company’s future,” Ovil-Brenner says. “Our goal is to create precise matches between technology companies and investors in relevant markets. Beyond Dream Team missions abroad, we build strategic bridges that enable global growth for our community.”
Participation in the delegation requires full commitment. The protocol for the New York 2026 delegation states unequivocally that only CEOs, founders, or co-founders may represent their companies; marketing or business development representatives are not permitted. The aim is to ensure that decision-makers are in the room. Participants must also commit fully to the schedule between March 8 and 12, including conference sessions and accompanying side events.
