How UpWest is redefining success for Israeli Startup in America ft. Lia Cromwell

Israeli Founders: Want to Crack the U.S. Market? This VC Thinks You’re Doing It Wrong.

Israel’s startup founders are among the best in the world, but when it comes to scaling in the U.S., the playbook isn’t always clear. Lia Cromwell, Partner at UpWest, sits down with IsraelTech to reveal what most Israeli entrepreneurs get wrong about breaking into the U.S. market - and how to fix it.

In this no-filter interview, we talk about:
Why relocating to the U.S. is non-negotiable for Israeli startups (and what happens if you don’t)
- The biggest cultural missteps Israeli founders make when pitching to American VCs & customers
- The secret to winning top-tier U.S. clients (Hint: It’s not just about the tech)
- How Israelis actually handle failure better than Americans

UpWest has backed 100+ Israeli startups that have raised over $3B in follow-on funding—this is a rare inside look at what it really takes to succeed.

What’s YOUR take? Should Israeli founders be required to relocate to the U.S. to succeed? Drop a comment below and let’s debate!

This week’s newsletter is made possible thanks to Deel.

IsraelTech is proud to partner with Deel, the all-in-one payroll and HR platform for global teams.

Deel helps companies simplify every aspect of managing a workforce, from onboarding, compliance and performance management, to global payroll, HRIS and immigration support. Deel works for full-time employees and independent contractors in more than 150 countries, compliantly. And getting set up takes just a few minutes. For more information, visit Deel.com/israeltech.

Shorts of the Week

When entering tech, the hardest part isn’t the code ft. Yitzik Crombie of MeGo

What's Your Superpower? Ft. Dani Avitz

Your product won't speak for itself. YOU will speak for it. ft. Lirone Glikman of The Human Factor

This Week in Israeli Tech News

1. IsraelTech sponsor Deel Raises $300M at $17.3B Valuation, Expanding Its Global HR Empire

   Israeli-founded unicorn Deel, a proud partner of IsraelTech, has secured a massive $300 million Series E round co-led by Ribbit Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and Coatue Management.

   

2. NFX Raises $325M Fourth Fund to Back Israel’s Next Generation of AI and Cyber Innovators

   Venture capital firm NFX, led in Israel by Gigi Levy-Weiss, Sarai Bronfeld, and Omri Drory, has raised a $325 million fourth fund to fuel about 50 new early-stage startups.

3. Rafael Signs €2B Deal to Supply Spike Missiles to Germany

   Israeli defense leader Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has secured a €2 billion contract to deliver Spike anti-tank missiles to the German army through its joint venture EuroSpike GmbH with Rheinmetall and Diehl Defense.

4. Aurelius Capital Launches $150M Defense-Tech Fund Bridging Israel, the U.S., and U.K.

   Emerging from stealth, Aurelius Capital has announced a $150 million fund investing in “shields, not swords.”

5. Anchor Raises $6M to Power the Future of AI-Driven Web Automation

   Tel Aviv startup Anchor Forge Ltd. raised $6 million in seed funding led by Blumberg Capital and Gradient Ventures to advance its agentic browser automation platform, b0.dev.

6. Hyro Raises $45M to Power Responsible AI Agents for Healthcare

   Tel Aviv–founded Hyro, creator of the leading Responsible AI Agent Platform for healthcare, has secured $45 million in strategic growth funding to expand its intelligent automation solutions for hospitals, clinics, and health systems across the U.S.

7. Israeli Fintech 8fig Acquired by Bizcap to Scale AI-Powered SME Funding

   Tel Aviv–based 8fig, one of Israel’s standout fintech innovators, has been acquired by Bizcap, together with its US affiliate NewCo Capital Group, marking another strong global exit for Israeli tech.

Culture Corner

Freed hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Evyatar David, and Eitan Mor were discharged from Beilinson Hospital on Sunday Oct. 26th after their release on October 13. All three were taken into Gaza from the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023, where they were held for two years, sometimes together. Now, they are set to begin outpatient rehabilitation in Beilinson Hospital’s returned hostages unit. Hospital staff will continue to accompany the released hostages and their families, giving them all the support they need.

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