Tel Aviv, Israel and New York, NY (January 17, 2012) – DreamIt Ventures (www.dreamitventures.com), one of the world’s premiere startup accelerators, announced today the opening of DreamIt Israel and invites Israeli startups to apply.
DreamIt Israel provides up to five Israeli startups access to the U.S. and other global markets as well as mentorship, guidance, a stipend of up to $25,000, and access to early stage capital. DreamIt Israel is a 4-month accelerator program followed by 2 months of workspace. The first month will take place in Israel beginning on April 15. Participating companies will spend the next three months in New York City working alongside companies in the DreamIt NYC 2012 program, which runs from May 14 through August 17, 2012.
Following the DreamIt NYC 2012 Demo Day in August, Israeli graduates will have a separate Demo Day in Israel to present to leading investors for a chance to secure financing. After Demo Day in Israel, DreamIt will offer graduates workspace in Israel for up to two months.
This is the first program of its kind in Israel and will give Israeli entrepreneurs a unique intensive opportunity to work with US and Israeli entrepreneurs, partners, customers, and investors.
Since 2008, DreamIt’s pioneering New York and Philadelphia accelerators have helped launch such notable companies as SCVNGR, SeatGeek, Take the Interview, CloudMine, Notehall, SupplyHog, Adaptly, and 57 others. DreamIt is enthusiastic about bringing its accelerator to Israel’s vibrant startup scene and talented entrepreneurs.
“DreamIt Israel builds upon the success of DreamIt New York City,” said DreamIt Founder David Bookspan. “For a number of years we have wanted to bring the same benefits to the Israeli startup community and we are glad that now there is the right mix of team and timing.”
DreamIt Israel is lead by Managing Partner Mitchell Golner. Golner has over 18 years of hi-tech business management, cross-cultural team management and technical experience (software, hardware and systems), and has worked and lived in the US, Asia, and Israel. “We have been working closely with Mitchell over the last several months both in Israel and in the U.S., and are delighted that Mitchell will be leading DreamIt Israel,” said Kerry Rupp, Managing Partner of DreamIt.
“My goals were to bring a program of the highest caliber for Israeli startups and to fill the gaps by leveraging the best of both worlds. DreamIt Ventures is the most impressive program I saw, with all aspects including the team, curriculum, mentoring, and access to the venture community in the US. DreamIt will enhance job creation in both the US and in Israel and will give Israeli startups a fast track to success, by giving early access to the U.S. market,” said Golner.
“The community in the US and in Israel have really come together in support of DreamIt Israel, and we could not be more excited about the value this will bring to past and future DreamIt companies, to the Israel startup scene, and to both countries,” DreamIt NYC Managing Director Mark Wachen added.
Up to five companies will be chosen to participate in DreamIt Israel. Applications are now open and will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis—so companies should apply early. The early acceptance deadline is February 22.
To Apply to DreamIt Israel, please go to www.dreamitventures.com/Israel
If you are interested in being a mentor, partner, or investor, please contact Israel_info@dreamitventures.com.
About DreamIt Ventures
Our goal at DreamIt is simple: Help great people build great companies.
DreamIt catapults startups forward. Companies accepted into DreamIt receive pre-seed financing, free legal services, dedicated mentors, access to investors, and communal office space. DreamIt culminates on Demo Day when the companies present their businesses to investors, strategic partners, professionals and other entrepreneurs. The thesis of DreamIt is that if you remove as many obstacles as possible, and give entrepreneurs as many resources and as much support as possible, a little bit of magic happens. Since 2008 DreamIt has launched 64 companies including, SCVNGR, SeatGeek, Postling, Notehall, CloudMine, Parsely, AppAddictive, TidalLabs, Let’s Gift It, Spling, LearnBop, Easel, ElectNext, MindSnacks, SupplyHog, Take The Interview, and Adaptly. For more about DreamIt visit www.dreamitventures.com