The Ecosystem Power Hour: Building Global Connections from Tel Aviv
What does it take to turn a local startup into a global success story? It’s not just about the code—it’s about the community.
Join Startup Grind Tel Aviv for a special virtual gathering as we host Guy Franklin, a visionary leader who has spent the last decade building the most influential bridge between the Israeli and New York tech scenes.
Guy’s journey is a masterclass in the "Give First" mentality. From his roots at EY Tel Aviv to founding the iconic Israeli Mapped in NY and Israeli Mapped Ventures, Guy has proven that your network is your greatest multiplier.
This isn’t just for founders moving to the US; it’s for every member of our community who wants to understand how to:
Harness the Ecosystem: Learn how to plug into local and global networks to accelerate your growth.
Master the Scale-Up Mindset: Guy shares the recurring patterns he sees in successful startups moving from MVP to Series A and beyond.
The Impact of Connection: Discover how "Mapping" an ecosystem creates value for everyone involved and how you can apply those principles to your own venture.
Insights from the Top: Get a front-row seat to Guy’s perspectives on current investment trends and what top-tier investors are looking for right now.
Why Join? Whether you are just starting with an MVP, scaling your team, or simply want to be inspired by one of the most influential Israelis in the global tech scene, this session is for you. We’re gathering the Tel Aviv community to learn, connect, and get inspired by the power of "Making friends, not contacts."
Agenda
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Speaker
Guy Franklin - Israeli Mapped in NY (Founder, CEO)
Guy Franklin, Founder & CEO, Israeli Mapped in NY
Guy Franklin is the founder and CEO of Israeli Mapped in NY, an interactive platform showcasing Israeli-founded startups operating in New York.
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Guy relocated to New York in 2012, where he has been actively promoting Israeli innovation and entrepreneurship ever since.
In 2021, he expanded the platfo…
Moderator
Lirone Glikman - Startup Grind (Co-Director)
Lirone Glikman is a global business development expert, an international keynote speaker, and a business relationship strategist. She is the CEO and Founder of ‘The Human Factor by Lirone Glikman’ - a global business development boutique firm. She supports tech companies' growth and expansion into the international markets. Lirone works with startups, corporations, universities and governments in…
Hosted By
Shahar Matorin, Israel Country Manager
Country Manager Startup Grind Israel - Father, business culture catalyst, Startup ecosystem builder & connector
Experienced Entrepreneur. Shahar has over 20 years of Global startup ecosystem experience. Shahar is the person responsible for putting Israel on the Global Startup Grind map.
Today Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community, actively educating, inspiring, and connecting more than 5M entrepreneurs in over 300 chapters. SG nurture startup ecosystems in 100+ countries through events, media, and partnerships with organizations like Google and Microsoft for Startups.
Skilled in strategy, management, investor relations. Globally connected professional with a can-do attitude.
After 12 years of helping scale Startup Grind into the world’s largest startup community, Shahar is now focused on launching Startup Grind Education (SGe). This is a transformative initiative designed to educate, inspire, and connect the next generation. The mission is to build the next layer of the global startup ecosystem: empowering high school students to become the innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Shahar's commitment to community building is rooted in the belief that entrepreneurs are stronger together. This long-term mission is guided by a "give first" approach and a dedication to being a force of good and light in the ecosystem, ensuring no innovative mind is left behind.
Lirone Glikman, Co Director
Lirone Glikman is a global business development expert, an international keynote speaker, and a business relationship strategist. She is the CEO and Founder of ‘The Human Factor by Lirone Glikman’ - a global business development boutique firm. She supports tech companies' growth and expansion into the international markets.
Lirone works with startups, corporations, universities and governments in 4 continents, among them Google, Microsoft, Cornell University, eBay, Australian and Taiwanese governments and more.
Lirone is also an honorary adviser at an external United Nations committee dedicated to the UN's sustainable development goals.
Shir Papo, Co-Director, Operation
Gavriel Ariel, Co-Director, Business Development
With hands-on experience in startup ecosystems, venture building, and global business networks, I help entrepreneurs turn ideas into scalable businesses and investors find ventures worth backing.
Leading Business Development for StartUp Grind Tel Aviv - Responsible for driving strategic partnerships, curating high-value connections between founders, investors, and industry leaders, and designing growth-oriented programs for entrepreneurs.
I lead the Tel Aviv chapter’s business development efforts, overseeing collaborations, sponsorships, and ecosystem engagement, while ensuring founders get access to the right opportunities, networks, and resources to scale.
Always open to meaningful collaborations, strategic partnerships, and high-impact opportunities.
Nir Hazut, Co-Director, Value Creation
I come from the world of investments, with over a decade of experience working with entrepreneurs, investors, and venture capital funds. I founded Nexus Investors Club to help startups raise capital – not just through pitch decks, but by crafting a powerful story, taking the right approach, and understanding the psychology of the investor. I combine deep business insight with human intuition, and I hold a clear belief: money flows to those who project value, vision, and credibility.
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Global Partner
Carta (http://www.carta.com/launch?utm_campaign=20240423-nam-general-smb-startup_grind_partnership&utm_medium=social&utm_source=startup_grind)
Carta helps people manage equity, build businesses, and invest in the companies of tomorrow. Carta Launch is the only free cap table product, helping new founders get started. The company is trusted by more than 40,000 companies, over 7,000 funds and SPVs, and over two million equity holders to manage cap tables, compensation, valuations, liquidity, and more. For more information, visit carta.com.
Gold
Malam Cloud (https://www.malamteam.com/%d7%a4%d7%aa%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%aa-%d7%a2%d7%a0%d7%9f/malam-cloud/)
As a leading IT integration company, Malam Team empowers Startup Grind entrepreneurs with expert guidance in business models, technology, and innovation. We help accelerate their journey by providing access to top professionals and paving the way to design partners and paying customers.
Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-tel-aviv-presents-scaling-through-community-with-guy-franklin/.