TLDR: The seventh annual ‘Mind the Tech London’ conference, hosted by Calcalist and LeumiTech, convened UK and Israeli leaders to delve into the future of artificial intelligence, technology, and investment. A central theme was the critical role of female entrepreneurs in AI and deep tech, with discussions highlighting the significant disparity in venture capital funding for women-led startups despite their proven higher returns. The event also served as a platform for showcasing resilient Israeli startups and reinforcing Israel’s position as a vital hub for global tech investment.
The ‘Mind the Tech London’ conference, a collaborative effort by Calcalist and LeumiTech, recently concluded its seventh annual gathering, serving as a crucial nexus between Israeli high-tech aspirations and international capital. The event attracted nearly two hundred prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from the UK, Israel, and other regions, all converging to explore the evolving landscapes of artificial intelligence, technology, and investment.
A significant portion of the conference was dedicated to the burgeoning field of AI. Yaron Inger, co-Founder and CTO of Lightricks, a ‘unicorn revolutionising visual content creation through generative AI,’ was among the notable speakers. Michal Freeman-Shor, Head of Primary Markets – Israel, at the London Stock Exchange, underscored the transformative potential of AI, stating, ‘When I think about deep tech and AI, I don’t just see algorithms and patents. I see possibility. The possibility of solving humanity’s hardest problems, and of building technologies that reflect the diversity of our world. Without women at the table, we risk building systems that mirror yesterday’s biases instead of tomorrow’s vision.’
A key focus was placed on championing female entrepreneurship within AI and deep tech. Candice Krieger, Jewish News Business and Tech editor, presented compelling data on women’s involvement in the high-tech industry. She revealed that in 2024, female-only founding teams secured a mere 2.3% of global venture capital funding. While Israel’s figure was double the global average, it remained notably low. Between 2021 and 2024, only 4.3% of global venture capital funding was allocated to startups led by female CEOs. This stark contrast exists despite consistent studies demonstrating that companies with women at the helm achieve higher returns on investment and exhibit stronger team performance.
Freeman-Shor further articulated the unique contributions of female founders and investors, noting they bring ‘something unique: resilience born of challenge, creativity sharpened by underestimation, and a determination not only to build successful companies—but to build meaningful ones.’ She also urged, ‘Women must demand a seat at the table, and then make the table longer so that others can join.’
The conference featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Candice Krieger, which included Ella Goldner (Levy) – co-founder, Zinc; Ornit Shinar – managing partner, Sanchi Capital; Noa Havazelet – head of Google Accelerator, EMEA; and Thuria Wenbar – CEO and co-founder, Evaro. This panel delved into the distinct perspectives women bring to AI and deep tech, offering practical advice on securing funding and managing high burn rates while striving for profitability.
The ‘Dream Team’ event provided a platform for 12 promising startups to pitch their innovative ideas. Maya Eisen Zafrir, CEO of LeumiTech, highlighted the remarkable resilience of Israeli startups, stating, ‘Israeli startups are not only showing resilience in the face of uncertainty, they are demonstrating anti-fragility: not just withstanding pressure, but actually growing from it.’ She emphasized the importance of showcasing Israeli entrepreneurs and their technologies, asserting that for global investors, particularly British ones, ‘Israel is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss.’
Additionally, the Yazamiyot AI and deep-tech competition saw Keren Riber Abrahami emerge as the winner with her startup, URIna, a ‘revolutionary single-use urine diagnostic device designed for women.’
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Julia Hoggett, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, also shared insights into a ‘dramatic year’ for the Group, detailing changes to listing rules to maximize eligibility for companies going public, accelerating inclusion in the FTSE index, and allowing companies reporting in euros and dollars to enter the index. She also mentioned upcoming reforms in the retail market aimed at eliminating policies that diluted companies.
