IsraelTech

03/09/2026

Huskeys Raises $27M to Rework Web Security for AI Agents

Israeli cybersecurity startup Huskeys has raised $27 million, bringing its total funding to $35 million.

Founded by Unit 8200 alumni Itai Gafni, CEO, and Roy Weisfeld, CTO, Huskeys is developing an AI-based layer for web application firewalls. Its platform is designed for an internet where autonomous agents increasingly interact with websites and applications.

The round was led by Blackstone, with participation from Skinos Ventures.

Huskeys has grown its customer base and international presence since emerging from stealth. Its customers include TikTok, Legoland, Ro, Blackstone and Hugging Face.

03/09/2026

No product. No traction. No incorporated company. But he still writes the check.

This week’s IsraelTech newsletter features Michael Fertik of Verdict Capital on the mechanics of zero-stage investing. He also shares what Israeli founders should understand about pilot customers, US company structure, and raising capital during wartime.

Plus, this week in Israeli tech:
• The Wininger Foundation plans an AI department at an Israeli hospital
• A NIS 170 million initiative aims to expand access to STEM careers

Read the full newsletter and subscribe to receive the latest from IsraelTech directly in your inbox:

This Week in IsraelTech: He Wrote the First Check in Cursor ft. Michael Fertik of Verdict Capital

02/09/2026

Israeli directness has its limits

For Israeli founders entering an investor meeting abroad, the details matter.

Arrive early. Offer to pay. Let the investor sit first. Respect their time and do not expect to close in one conversation.

Helen Gottstein of Loud and Clear Training explains why humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn can help founders improve their pitch and build the relationship.

Watch the full conversation with Yoel on IsraelTech.

02/09/2026

The right people change everything.

For Idan Nimni, Tech1 Conference’s success comes from balancing the experience with the people in the room and on stage. Last year, attendees found it easier to engage and have meaningful conversations, helping Tech1 build momentum for this year.

Tech1 returns on Wednesday and Thursday, October 28–29, this time in Tel Aviv.

Hear more from Idan in his full interview with Yoel on IsraelTech. Link in the comments 👇

01/09/2026

Wininger Foundation Plans AI Department at Israeli Hospital

The Wininger Foundation is working to establish a new AI healthcare department within a major public hospital in Israel.

Founded by Lemonade and Fiverr co-founder and operated by the Wininger family, the foundation uses advanced technology to address long-term social challenges. Its areas of focus include healthcare access, poverty, food and water availability, and education.

The foundation is beginning with healthcare, applying AI across public hospitals and clinics. This new department will work alongside the hospital’s medical team to develop and implement products through short testing cycles, with results assessed according to their effect on patient care.

The foundation is currently seeking a product leader to oversee the initiative in Israel.

01/09/2026

Two Ways to Back Founders

American and Israeli VCs often take different approaches to supporting their portfolio companies.

Trace Cohen explains that Israeli investors tend to be more hands-on, while American VCs may give founders more room to operate, stepping in with support when it is needed.

Watch the full interview hosted by Yoel Israel on all IsraelTech channels

31/08/2026

Most investors want proof. Michael Fertik wants to be there before the proof exists.

As Managing Director and Founder of Verdict Capital, Michael defines first-check investing in three ways: the first money into the company, invested independently, and placed before the category has a settled name.

In this conversation with Yoel Israel, he explains how he evaluates founders before incorporation, a product, or traction. He also shares the story of his early investment in Anysphere, which later merged with Cursor, and why he believes much of a category’s value is captured before thousands of investors know what to call it.

Michael also speaks directly to Israeli founders about pilot customers, building for the US market, company structure, and the costly advice that can slow a startup down. The conversation moves through Model Code AI, legacy technical debt, AI’s effect on work, and the resilience he sees across Israel’s tech ecosystem.

Watch the full conversation with Michael Fertik of Verdict Capital, hosted by Yoel Israel, now on IsraelTech.

31/08/2026

Israel’s Tech Knowledge Exchange

In the 1960s and 70s, many of Israel’s future entrepreneurs went to the United States to gain business and technological knowledge that was not yet available at home.

Meir Valman explains how bringing that experience back to Israel helped build the country’s early tech industry and why Israel’s connections abroad remain central to its story.

How important are international connections to Israel’s tech ecosystem today? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Hosted by Yoel Israel

30/08/2026

Media Is Moving Beyond TV

Younger audiences are watching fewer traditional broadcasts and spending more time with YouTubers, influencers, and other independent creators.

Yair Amsterdam of Verbit explains how this shift is creating new demand for captions, translation, and localization as creators bring their content to audiences across languages and cultures.

Where do you consume most of your content today? Traditional media, YouTube, or social platforms? Let us know in the comments.

Hosted by Yoel Israel

30/08/2026

AI Runs on Energy

As demand for AI grows, access to energy and compute is struggling to keep pace.

Yael Barsheshet of Deep33 explains why companies with the land, power, and infrastructure to bring compute online are becoming increasingly important, and why the race for AI capacity begins with access to energy.

Watch the full conversation with Yael, hosted by Yoel, on IsraelTech.