The official launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2024 was marked with a ceremony at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on Sunday, November 17th, 2024, from 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM. The highlight of this significant event was the pressing on the "start" button (equivalent to the American bell ringing), marking the start of global entrepreneurship week.
Distinguished Participants for Button Pressing (Bell Ringing) Ceremony:
- Senior member of the US Embassy in Israel
- Eyal Silberstein, Sales Manager Tel Aviv Stock exchange.
- Ayla Matalon, Chairperson, GEN Israel
- Matt Smith, Director of Policy & Research, GEN Global
- Imad Younis, president and co-founder of medical technology company "Alpha Omega"
- Adina Bar-Shalom, founder of the Haredi College "Jerusalem" and Israel Prize laureate
- Adv. Hanan Alsanah, Co-founder of the Arab-Jewish emergency headquarters for the war, Rahat
- Ishay Green, software and systems architect, serial entrepreneur and investor
- Dr. Yael Porat, a biotechnology innovator, scientist, advisor and director at start-ups and big pharmaceutical companies.
- Yael Florenthal, entrepreneur and VP Product at Paradox.
- Shani Bar, a young entrepreneur and LEAD program alumni who initiated a social project supporting children in families going through divorce.
- Lia Benshach, a young entrepreneur and LEAD program alumni who initiated a social project enabling nature day-hikes for disabled people using a special wheelchair called Treker.
Event Highlights and Diversity
This year's event marks several significant milestones in terms of representation and diversity:
- Strong representation from Israel's minority communities, including two Arab entrepreneurs (representing the 20.5% Arab population) and a leader from the Ultraorthodox community (representing the 10% Haredi population).
- Notable female entrepreneurial presence
- Stronger focus on social entrepreneurship, including two innovative leaders who launched their initiatives during high school and continue to manage them two years later
- Geographic and ethnic diversity across participants.
Event Program
The morning commenced with the distinguished opening ceremony featuring keynote speeches from successful entrepreneurs representing diverse backgrounds and sectors. Following the ceremonial button pressing, participants engaged in intimate roundtable sessions with 10 additional entrepreneurs from various fields ranging from high-tech to consumer products. These entrepreneurs shared their personal journeys, insights into the advantages and challenges of entrepreneurial life, significant obstacles faced, and important lessons learned.
Additionally, eight volunteer observers, including entrepreneurs and education system representatives, provided feedback on the meeting's impact, audience engagement, and participating entrepreneurs' experiences.
Event Significance
This gathering offered unique insights into both familiar and lesser-known aspects of innovation driving Israel's economic growth, alongside significant social initiatives. It provided a platform for understanding entrepreneurial challenges and demonstrates how entrepreneurship can catalyze personal and societal growth while building meaningful global connections.