Moti Shatner

Geography still matters for Israeli startups, but not in the way most people think. The market is constantly evolving. Yesterday at the All Founders Conference, hosted by Guy Franklin, a comment from Ed Sim got me thinking about how founders choose where to build, and scale. We often talk about the U.S. tech ecosystem as if it’s one giant market. In reality, different cities serve different functions, and choosing the right one is a very strategic choice for founders to make. The Bay Area plays a unique role for certain categories of companies, today more than in the past few years. If you’re building deep infrastructure, developer tools, AI infrastructure, core platforms, the density of talent, capital, and early adopters there is hard to replicate. The data from Bot Memo reflects this dynamic: In 2025, the San Francisco Bay Area captured more than 75% of U.S. AI funding, roughly $122B out of $159B nationally, reinforcing its position as the center for deep tech and AI infrastructure. There’s a reason companies like CopilotKit have built a strong presence in the Valley. When your product sits close to the foundation of the tech stack, being in the ecosystem where those stacks are shaped matters. Meanwhile, New York has increasingly become the home for application-layer innovation. Fintech alone represented 24.5% of New York’s AI-related funding ($5.4B). The city has become the natural home for a wide range of application-layer companies in fintech, cybersecurity, proptech. vertical SaaS, and marketplaces. It’s an ideal location for businesses that sit closer to real industries, real customers, and real distribution channels. The proximity to financial institutions, large enterprises, media, and global markets creates a different kind of advantage. For founders thinking about the U.S. market, the takeaway isn’t “one city is better.” There is no one size fits all. Different ecosystems optimize for different stages and categories. Infrastructure companies often gravitate toward the Valley. Application companies increasingly scale in New York. Understanding that distinction can be very meaningful for Israeli founders and save them a lot of time. What are your thoughts on the optimal spot to set up shop in the US for your company?

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🚀 ICI Fund is proud to lead the first-check investment in Maverick AI! We’ve partnered with Yochai Pagi, a rare founder who blends deep systems engineering, control theory, and real-time operations. From leadership roles in the Israeli Air Force and Elbit Systems, Yochai has spent his career turning complexity into clarity for high-stakes, mission-critical systems — and now he’s building Maverick to do just that with AI. 🎯 Maverick AI is rethinking how control rooms operate in energy, defense, and critical infrastructure. Their secure, on-prem neuro-symbolic AI co-pilot offers real-time guidance with explainability, even in air-gapped SCADA and OT environments where traditional AI solutions can’t go. We were drawn not only to the technology, but to the team’s precision, discipline, and clarity of thought. Maverick has already secured design partners, multiple paid pilots, and strong market pull — all before launch. At ICI Fund, we invest in Israeli deep tech with global potential, supporting early-stage teams building real-world impact in AI, autonomy, and national resilience. Maverick AI fits that vision perfectly. Thank you, Aviv Nizri for leading this investment! 💪 We’re excited to be on this journey with Yochai and the Maverick team. 🌍 Let’s build a safer, smarter future — one mission-critical decision at a time. #AI #DeepTech #FirstCheck #StartupInvestment #VentureCapital #CriticalInfrastructure #OperationalAI #OT #SCADA #Energy #Defense #ICIThoughts

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Tel Aviv Joins Global Map of Quantum Hubs A new JLL report puts Tel Aviv on the shortlist of cities preparing for the quantum era, where specialized data centers will be as critical as the chips inside them. Quantum computing won’t just reshape science; it’s about to rewrite the real estate market with demand for cryogenic-cooled, shielded facilities. From labs to commercial campuses, Israel’s inclusion signals that local developers and investors need to prepare for a whole new asset class: quantum real estate.

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"𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗱𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘀" — according to research from Stanford University Graduate School of Business Venture Capital Initiative. At Tachles VC, we’re committed to helping globally minded founders in 𝗰𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 successfully make the move. Our partner Robin Bienfait’s Atlanta Tech Park offers the perfect launchpad to land and expand in the world’s largest SaaS market — from establishing your registered seat to signing your first US customers. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮? - Consistently ranked among the top 5 US cities for Fortune 500 headquarters - More affordable cost of living and operating expenses compared to other major tech hubs - A thriving business ecosystem with access to top-tier talent and customers Thanks to Ilya Strebulaev for sharing this fascinating research. Tachles VC 🚀 - Karel Tušek, David Marek, Sivan Kanev, Boris Chovnik, Robin Bienfait, Dan Dinnar

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