A Brazilian and an Israeli walk into a room

Actually 18 Israeli and Brazilian entrepreneurs pitched to 230 investors at  the U.S. Israel Business Council (USI) 2nd Annual Innovation Roadshow on Tuesday evening at the Morgan Stanley headquarters. 

“By featuring some of the most dynamic Israeli startups tonight, USI is helping a new generation of entrepreneurs continue Israel’s well-earned moniker as ‘startup nation.’ In the spirit of collaboration, we are also welcoming Brazil’s most innovative entrepreneurs this year.  The investment community that we include in our events is appreciative of the opportunity to consider these startups for investment,” said USI’s Executive Director David Bratslavsky.

Startup founders each had one minute to pitch their plan for success, followed by an intense two minute question and answer exchange with USI’s judges’ panel. 

Marco Greenberg, President of Thunder11 PR firm, moderated the panel of venture capital investors and founders –Brian Feinstein (Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners), Roi Carthy (Partner, Initial Capital), Ron Yekutiel (Founder and CEO of Kaltura Inc)—who grilled the startups and also encouraged them on their path to success.

Glide, an innovative Israeli-based walkie talkie app, along with TaClaro.com, a Brazilian brokerage firm specializing in the online sale of insurance, and Peela Gift Cards, which crosses online and offline shopping experiences, were selected by the panel as “most likely to receive a one million dollar investment.”  But the ultimate winner was chosen by the audience.  Israeli startup Glide won over the crowd and was awarded USI’s “People’s Choice Award.”

A cocktail reception and light dinner concluded the event, allowing participants to network and meet the panelists, investors, and startup founders. 

“Morgan Stanley is proud to host the USI Innovation Roadshow and assist entrepreneurs as they grow their startups, including this year’s Israeli and Brazilian presenters,” said Yaakov Ringler of Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management.    

U.S. Israel Business Council (USI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together members, community leaders, investors, senior executives and entrepreneurs who are engaged in business and commercial activities for the purposes of designing and implementing investments in, and trade programs between, the United States and Israel.

Interested parties may request information about upcoming events at www.usibc.org.