Discount Tech and IDBNY Are Leading Israeli Startups to New York
The tech divisions of Israel Discount Bank and IDBNY, are launching a series of founder missions to the American market. The next one heads to New York in June, as part of a16z's NY Tech Week. The goal: to shorten the distance between Israeli startups and American investors
Discount Tech
If you've ever built a startup and decided to enter the U.S. market, you probably discovered pretty quickly that a strong product and a successful funding round are only part of the equation. The second part, which often turns out to be the more important one, comes down to people: who knows you, who is willing to vouch for you, and who can get you into the right room. That gap, according to the Discount Tech, is exactly what it is trying to close.
Discount Tech, the tech arm of Israel Discount Bank, is working together with IDBNY, the group's American bank and the only U.S. bank under Israeli ownership, and its tech division IDB Tech. Together, they are leading delegations of founders and entrepreneurs to major technology and investment hubs in cities like New York and Miami, with the goal of giving early-stage companies direct access to the American ecosystem, including venture capital funds, family offices, potential customers, and strategic partners.
"Israeli tech companies today need more than a bank account", says Dr. Guy Navon, CEO of Discount Tech - the tech arm of Israel Discount Bank. "They need a partner who understands their journey and their ambition to grow globally".
Navon describes the initiative as a redefinition of what a bank can offer technology companies. According to him, it is no longer just about account management or credit. "Through Discount Tech and IDB Tech, we are exposing founders to the American network, investors, clients, partners, and people who can open doors for them. That is what it means to be the bank of Israeli high-tech".
The Next Mission Heads to New York This June
If you are at exactly that point right now, considering entering the U.S. and looking for the right moment to make the move, the following dates are worth noting. The upcoming mission will take place June 2 to 4, 2026, in New York, as part of NY Tech Week, a major annual event organized by the renowned venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, known as a16z.
The mission is open to early-stage Israeli startups across all verticals that are planning to enter the U.S. market, build a business presence there, or raise a significant funding round. Among the expected participants from the American side: representatives from venture capital funds investing in early-stage companies, family offices, accredited private investors, and key figures from the technology and investment industry in the U.S.
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Sagy Aseraf, President, Private Banking & Wealth Management at IDBNY
(Courtesy of Discount Bank)
Companies that are selected will gain access to exclusive networking sessions, present in front of hand-picked investors, and meet leading figures from the local ecosystem. Registration is open until May 21, 2026, and customers of Bank Discount and IDBNY will receive priority consideration. Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the participating companies.
Partners Across the Entire Lifecycle
One question that people in the tech industry often ask themselves is whether the bank truly understands the world they operate in. From IDBNY’s perspective, the answer is clear. Sagy Aseraf, President of Private Banking, Wealth Management, and the Israeli Practice at IDB Bank, explains that the relationship with clients goes far beyond the company they are currently building.
"Our relationship with founders does not begin and end with the company they are building", he says. IDBNY, according to Aseraf, accompanies founders and their families across the full arc of their professional and personal lives, "from the founding of the company, through its growth, the entry into the American market, funding rounds, and all the way through to managing the wealth and investments of founders after an exit." The bank's broad network, which includes a presence in Latin America as well, is what allows it to serve as a long-term financial and strategic partner.
Shahar Ben-David, head of high-tech banking, adds a perspective that anyone who has tried to break into the U.S. market will recognize. "For an Israeli startup, entering the American market is not just a geographic expansion, it is a significant business leap." Companies need to arrive prepared, focused, and connected to the local network, she says. Ben-David emphasizes that the bank's edge lies in its cultural fluency, not just its financial tools. 'We bring American tech banking that lives and breathes the Israeli ecosystem, and speaks not just Hebrew, but Israeli'.
Two Banks, One Advantage
What sets the Discount Tech and IDB Tech model apart is its duality. On one side, an Israeli bank with an intimate understanding of the local high-tech market, the entrepreneurial culture, and the specific challenges facing early-stage companies. On the other, an American bank with genuine presence, experience, and a real network in the U.S.
At a time when Israeli companies are looking more than ever for stable footholds in the American market, that combination may be more relevant than it has ever been. In theory, it allows them to offer access to the right people, in the right places, at the right time. Whether that means a meeting with a relevant investor, a connection to a strategic partner, or an introduction to a first U.S. customer, it is precisely the kind of advantage that is difficult to build on your own when you are stepping into an unfamiliar market for the first time.
For information regarding Israel Founders Mission
Contact : Nir Kouris, CMO
Discount Tech
Nir.Kouris@dbank.co.il
