Testimonials

Amir Milo, Equivio
I participate in MIT Forum events at least once or twice every quarter.
They cover a wide range of topics, many of them relevant to the issues confronting my start-up company. All speakers have “hands-on” experience, and I often find myself returning to the office with an idea for immediate implementation.
The MIT Forum is also one of the best opportunities in Israel to meet with other entrepreneurs and exchange ideas, contacts and the latest gossip. I always recommend it to people who are thinking about launching a start-up.

Ishay Attar, CEO, Lifebond
I participate in the MIT Forum events almost every time the lectures are relevant to my field of business (Biotech).
This is the most important entrepreneurship forum and much more than that. The lecturers are top-tier successful entrepreneurs and so many times I found myself inspired and taking home ideas.
Besides being educational the MIT Forum is also an active entrepreneurship supporter: it introduced me to my present investors and advised me during the delicate fund-raising process. The networking and advice was adopted and was critical to the success of the 1st round of my company.

Avichai Cohen, Co-Founder, LiveU
Over the past few years I have participated in several MIT forums and learned a lot about entrepreneurship, how to found a solid company, to raise capital and to navigate the bumps and risks on the way. MIT gave me the chance to actually meet and learn from leading people in the high tech industry, and as a young entrepreneur with an great idea and a PPT, this was invaluable. I think the fact that the MIT forum organizers were able to bring the right people to the right forum, and to meet the challenge of keeping the audience enthralled was most impressive. Today, our company is growing rapidly after 2 rounds of investment from top VCs, and with strong market feedback I believe we're on the way to success. Personally, I am about to relocate to the USA to continue tending to the company from our recently opened US office. I wish the MIT forum all the best with your continued operations and many more success stories.

Danny Dankner, Founder and CEO, ACE - Applied Cognitive Engineering

I have attended many events of the MIT Entrepreneurship Forum and I highly recommend that every entrepreneur do the same. In each and every Forum event I have learnt and enriched my capacities. The Forum brings top-notch speakers who not only contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience, but also provide hands-on tips and discuss industry best practices. I find the information presented in Forum events remarkably useful in various aspects of my position as Founder and CEO - all the way from raising funds to developing our marketing plan, from communicating with our board members to hiring new employees. The Forum also offers exceptional opportunities for networking. Some of the people I met in Forum lectures and seminars are now on my 'active members' network list. I hope that the Israeli chapter of the MIT Forum will carry on with its important work while maintaining the high standards it had adhered to over the years.

Amir Shpitalni, Founder and CEO, Spiral Supports

After presenting Spiral Supports at the MIT Forum, I was immediately approached by an investment fund as well as a very relevant distributor. The next day I was surprised to find Spiral Supports on the Jerusalem Post's web [and printed!] edition. A few weeks before that, I attended a Forum meeting as a member of the audience; during the break I had the opportunity to chat with member of the board Zvi Yemini. Right after the break Zvi mentioned Spiral Supports in his speech. Just from the ricochets of this every day situation, we received an outstanding amount of attention and new useful connections. The high profile of the attendees at the Forum events, combined with the informal atmosphere, has proved to be an exceptional networking and PR opportunity.

Gabi Ilan, Co-founder and CEO, Command Speech Ltd.

Over the past ten years I have regularly attended events hosted by the MIT Entrepreneurship Forum of Israel. As an entrepreneur, I have always found these events to be a valuable way to gain new insights and interact with my colleagues. In addition, I am continually impressed by the knowledgeable and captivating speakers present at every event. Successful entrepreneurs, investors and highly qualified professionals regularly address the forum; their willingness to share their valuable knowledge and experience is truly inspirational. The information that they provide is relevant to a broad range of topics including fund raising, investor relations, marketing, sales, leadership, strategy, day-to-day management, planning, employee relations as well as legal and IP issues.

The Forum also provides an outlet for the CEO to relieve some of the isolation that comes with the job. At the Forum there is more freedom to exchange ideas with colleagues than is customary with investors, partners, employees or customers. The networking sessions between lectures present an excellent opportunity to meet investors, lawyers, patent attorneys, PR experts and other related professionals. In the exciting and dynamic atmosphere created by the Forum, it is not uncommon to meet potential partners and future employees.

In addition to attending these events, I have also participated in the consultation program. On one occasion I served as a consultant and on another I attended as a CEO seeking advice. I was grateful not only to have had the opportunity to offer advice in the area of my expertise, but to receive beneficial and practical information as well.

Ayla’s pioneering work in establishing and maintaining the exceptionally high standards of the Israel chapter of the MIT Forum has contributed a great deal to strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit in Israel. The Forum plays a major role in promoting innovation and providing encouragement to entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Ultimately, the MIT Forum has made a significant contribution to the Israeli economy, leading to an enhanced utilization of Israel’s only natural resource – the brainpower of its people.

I extend my best wishes to Ayla and hope that she will carry on with this important initiative for many years to come.

Yishai Porat, Primesense

I was first acquainted with MIT Forum as a physics and Engineering undergraduate at Tel Aviv University. The basic entrepreneurial drive was probably already there but attending the events of the MIT forum boosted my enthusiasm to go out and do something.

With great speakers sharing their wisdom in a open and informal style, you learn the ins and outs of the start up world, from jargon to strategic business planning, IP to raising cash, you name it, there will probably be a lecture on the issue in one of the upcoming events. The fact that even in such a savvy and competitive business this kind of knowledge is being shared creates a sense of productive purpose in a pleasant and supportive atmosphere.
I would highly recommend any entrepreneur or investor attending an MIT Forum event.

Richard Wilson, Director, Global Security Challenge

I wanted to write to you to say how very pleased we were at the level of enthusiasm, professionalism, expertise and organisation of the team led by member of the MIT Forum board Davidy Givon at the recent European regional final of the Global Security Challenge. It was very nice to meet with you and visit your country.

The event itself went very smoothly from start to finish and was by a long way the best regional final we have attended this year. Attendance levels were excellent and Davidy had amassed some very good additional speakers. I know that TSWG from the US Department of Defense were impressed too.

I hope it will be possible to hold a 2011 GSC Regional with the MIT Enterprise Forum of Israel as it was a pleasure working alongside your team. The MIT Forum team in particular deserves full praise for the excellent way you organised the event – despite there being very little time to do so.

Amit Dror, Eternegy

About a year ago a friend suggested that I join him in a workshop for start-up entrepreneurs at MIT Forum in Tel Aviv. I had no knowledge of MIT Forum activities at the time. The workshop which was guided by several experienced entrepreneurs was superb. It opened my mind to new ideas and allowed me to receive information that otherwise would have been learned in the painful way of taking wrong decisions (while wasting crucial time and money). Since that first workshop I’ve attended several MIT Forum events. Other than the valuable information I received, there was something else – The good vibe. Being a young entrepreneur, I experience plenty of ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ along the way (This is probably one of the reasons why I’m in the ‘entrepreneurship game’, but it is not always easy). When coming to an MIT Forum event, meeting many other entrepreneurs and seeing that I’m not alone, I immediately feel better. Getting a good word from people that really understand me and the obstacles I encounter gives me the strength to move on and not to give up. There is something special in the atmosphere when young and experienced initiative people get together and share their knowledge and hopes. It is a good energy build up that gives everyone a good vibe. At first I was surprised how come so many experienced entrepreneurs (who lecture in MIT Forum workshops) are willing to give from their experience and invest their precious time in assisting young entrepreneurs. However, the more I attended MIT Forum events I realized that those experienced entrepreneurs are doing it for both the joy of giving and for getting the good vibe. I think it is great that MIT Forum was able to establish this environment for entrepreneurs. Well done guys. I hope that one day I’ll be able to give back to new entrepreneurs through the MIT Forum.

Thanks again for everything and keep up the good work.