Startup Snapshot

Excited to spotlight one of the incredible experts featured in our Experts Talk Series: Alon Zieve, the founder & CEO of Aption who is revolutionizing equity solutions in the startup ecosystem. Having orchestrated deals worth over $200M across 6 funding rounds and 10 acquisitions, Alon discovered that traditional equity structures were holding back both companies and talent. His solution? Pioneering equity pooling mechanisms that unlock value while protecting both sides of the equation. With 15+ years of experience at companies like Bringg, Seeking Alpha, and Natural Intelligence, Alon brings a uniquely holistic approach to financial innovation. His approach combines the precision of a CFO with the strategic vision of a CEO who's been on both sides of the negotiating table. We're proud to have Alon share his invaluable insights with our readers, helping founders navigate the complex world of equity and growth financing. Check out his full profile on Startup Snapshot here: https://lnkd.in/dP7JTfpP

GenAI natives are entering the workforce. In this Experts Talk discussion, Tzahi (Zack) Weisfeld , Vice President & GM of Intel Ignite, shares how this generational shift presents a unique opportunity for new startups. While established companies are scrambling to integrate AI tools and upskill their workforce, new ventures can build their organizations with AI at the core from day one. His observations reveal how GenAI natives are treating AI as a natural extension of their workflow, enabling new startups to build more efficient, AI-driven operations from the ground up. The gap between AI-native and AI-learning organizations continues to widen, fundamentally changing how businesses approach hiring, training, and operations. The question isn't whether to adapt, but how quickly organizations can embrace this new reality. How is your organization preparing for the GenAI workforce? View the full report with insights on AI talent across hundreds of startups globally: https://lnkd.in/dEWMZUdb #FutureOfWork #ArtificialIntelligence #WorkforceTrends #Innovation #Leadership #GenAI #DigitalTransformation"

The GenAI investment landscape is full of hype, with startups eager to capture attention and funding. But some founders are exaggerating their AI capabilities to impress investors—25% admit to overstating their tech’s potential. Even though many startups are exaggerating, many investors still aren’t asking the tough questions about AI risks, regulation, or responsible usage, leaving significant gaps. Investors need to move beyond the buzz and start demanding clear AI policies and risk management strategies. It's not just about the next big thing—it's about ensuring AI is used responsibly and sustainably. Check out the full report: https://lnkd.in/dEWMZUdb GenAI.Works, Intel Corporation, Ignite DeepTech, ARNON, The Zell Entrepreneurship Program at Reichman University #GenAI #StartupInvestment #AIethics #AIrisks #InvestorResponsibility #SustainableInnovation

Stress impacts decision-making, yet many founders push through in silence. Great to see the coaching community leveraging data from our research to provide the support founders need to thrive. Thanks Laurent Notin

As startups strive for efficiency, many are still underutilizing the power of GenAI in their day-to-day operations. Our data shows that GenAI tools are embedded in R&D teams but are still not fully embedded into startup workflows. Ori Schnitzer, Executive Director at the The The Zell Entrepreneurship Program at Reichman University Program at Reichman University, joined me to discuss this huge missed opportunity. While founders focus on advanced AI applications, they often overlook how AI can transform routine tasks—like customer research, invoice processing or candidate screening—freeing up time for strategy and growth. “To be a truly effective founder, leverage AI from day one,” Ori emphasized. "Don't dilute your focus with time- intensive tasks. By delegating these to AI, you can dedicate your valuable time to what drives success: strategy and growth.” Startups that embed AI into their day-to-day operations from the start will have a real edge in achieving efficiency and growth. Explore these insights and more—download the 'Beyond the Buzz' report. Link in comments

🚀 Startups Are Racing Ahead with GenAI—But What About Their Teams? Our latest research report, Beyond the Buzz, uncovering a troubling disconnect: 💡 The majority of of startups have less than half their workforce trained in GenAI 💡 85% of leaders aren’t planning to upskill their teams—they’re turning to the already crowded talent market instead Rather than building internal expertise, startups are relying on external hires to bridge the gap. What does this mean for innovation in the long run? Swipe through to explore the data Full report available—link in comments! #StartupSnapshot #GenAI #TechTalent #Innovation #StartupResearch Intel Ignite, The Zell Entrepreneurship Program at Reichman University, Consiglieri , GenAI.Works

We’re thrilled to announce the launch our latest research report, Beyond the Buzz: The Real Impact of GenAI on Startup Building. This first-of-its-kind report reveals how GenAI tools are revolutionizing startup building. It's based on data collected from hundreds of startup founders globally. As the world buzzes about the potential of the one-person, billion-dollar company, our new research dives deep to uncover just how close we are to this bold vision—and the hurdles that remain. 🔍 Key insights include: 1. Risk blind spots: Founders rate their concern about risks like IP and compliance at just 2.7/5 on average, showing the urgent need for proactive management. 2. Unparalleled acceleration: 66% of startups say GenAI is a game-changer, speeding up product development and reducing time to market, but over half lack oversight on tool usage, exposing them to significant risks. 3. Investor enthusiasm vs. responsibility: 76% of startups report increased investor interest, yet 93% of investors don’t ask about AI policies, leaving founders without the pressure to address risks. 4. Upskilling gaps: Only 15% of startups are investing in GenAI training, with most relying on external hires to bridge critical knowledge gaps. GenAI is transforming startups—there’s no doubt about it. But our report shows that the industry needs to move beyond the hype. Founders and investors must work together to harness this potential responsibly, addressing risks and building solid foundations for long-term success Link to download full report in comments Thank you to our amazing partners: Intel Ignite, Arnon Tadmor-Levy, The Zell Entrepreneurship Program at Reichman University, GenAI.Works, Tzahi (Zack) Weisfeld, Yuval Avnon, Ori Schnitzer, Liat Aaronson, Netanella Treistman, Roy Keidar, Nimrod Vromen, Roy Sivan, Jay Allardyce, Anastasiia S. for helping bring this research to life.

What if burnout isn't the price of success, but the cost of not listening? In our latest Experts Talk, Natalya Berdikyan ,Founder Life By Design Academy, flips the script on startup stress culture. And it's about time. "Stress isn't an enemy," she explains, breaking down why pushing through burnout is actually killing your startup more than you think. Those stress signals are not weakness - they're wisdom. When your team's stressed, they're not breaking down. They're telling you something's broken. Full interview in comments #StartupLife #MentalHealth #LeadershipInsights #BuildDifferent

Wrapping up our end-of-year calls, one theme keeps coming up: nearly every founder I talk to feels stressed, overwhelmed, or burned out. Exercise is one of the best ways to manage that stress, yet according to Startup Snapshot 49% of founders report exercising less after starting their company 🫠 I’m curious—if you’re a founder: What’s helped you keep exercise part of your routine? Or, what’s gotten in the way? I’m noodling on something for next year and would love to hear you POV ⬇️

Excited to spotlight one of the pioneering voices in tech policy on our platform: Paul Stimers, whose expertise bridges the critical gap between emerging tech innovation and federal policy-making, helping startups navigate and shape the regulatory landscape that will define their future. Paul's Key Insight: With AI adoption growing across U.S. companies and Congress preparing major AI legislation, startups have a rapidly closing window to influence policies that will shape their industry's future. His strategic approach helps founders turn regulatory challenges into competitive advantages. With 20+ years of experience at Holland & Knight LLP, Paul transforms complex policy landscapes into strategic opportunities for tech founders. Whether it's AI regulatory compliance, quantum computing legislation, or commercial spaceflight regulations, his strategic approach helps startups understand if their business case depends on regulation or its absence. His unique ability to translate between the languages of innovation and legislation makes him an invaluable guide in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape. We're proud to have Paul share his insights with our readers, helping founders navigate the intricate world of tech policy and regulatory strategy. Check out his full expert profile here: https://lnkd.in/dJ972C8k #AIPolicy #TechRegulation #StartupStrategy #EmergingTech #PolicyAdvocacy