Today we are joined by Stav Erez, the co-founder of Siftech. Siftech is a Jerusalem based center which provides young entrepreneurs with the personal and professional tools to develop their own business ideas.

Stav has achieved far reaching recognition in the Jerusalem tech scene. She was recently listed on the Forbes 30 under 30 Israel list. She specializes in getting people excited about tech, especially young people in Israel. In 2012, she helped found Siftech as a grassroots initiative. Today it is Jerusalem’s first startup accelerator. They chose Jerusalem because it is the home of Israel’s leading academic institutions and filled with brilliant and creative people who want to make advances in business and tech.

Topics discussed today include:

• Stav’s enthusiasm for the tech industry
• Differences between available tech opportunities today compared to the past
• How the Jerusalem tech ecosystem is one of the fastest growing regional tech ecosystems
• Recipe for tech development - talent, events, community, infrastructure, mentors and funding
• VC’s and angel investors along with co-working spaces in Jerusalem make the tech ecosystem possible
• The communities and events help founders get started and find funding, information, and what steps to take next
• Networking and not feeling alone is the most important thing of an engaged community

It was great talking with Stav. If anyone would like to join me for a coffee date email me at [email protected]

Links and Resources:

Forbes 30 Under 30 Israel

Siftech

Spark Microgrants

Quotes:

“Jerusalem had most of the ingredients to grow the tech ecosystem we added events and funding” Stav Erez

“Events are important because they connect people” Stav Erez

“Talking about your ideas, makes them more real” Stav Erez

To connect with Elissa, send her an email at [email protected]