About Yozma – Yozma Fellowship

Our Mission

To fast-track the next generation of student founders and entrepreneurial leaders. We do this through immersive learning, real-world exposure and lifelong networks grounded in the Startup Nation’s innovation ecosystem.

Our Vision

To open doors for the most inspired UK-based students, connecting them with Israel’s founders, immersing them in a culture of resilience and innovation, and empowering them to start building their transformative future.

Our Long-Term Ambition

By 2050, Yozma aims to empower 10,000 fellows to build new ventures in the UK. We believe this generation will launch companies, drive meaningful change and strengthen the UK economy in the 21st century. Yozma is where that journey begins.

Israel the Start-up Nation

Israel is a country of only 10 million people, yet it consistently ranks among the world’s leading technology ecosystems. By almost every per-capita metric that matters, startups, venture capital, R&D intensity, and serial founders, Israel performs at a level comparable to the largest global hubs.

Israel has one of the highest startup densities in the world, with roughly one startup for every 1,400 people. There are around 4,500 active tech startups operating across the country.

What truly differentiates the ecosystem is the depth of experience. Israel has one of the highest concentrations of serial founders globally. Startups are more likely to be led by repeat entrepreneurs than in the US or the UK, Israeli serial entrepreneurs have generated over $75 billion of exit value in between 2020-2025 alone. (Battery ventures report)

23% of non-US unicorns were built by Israeli university grads

106 of 453 non-US unicorns came from Israeli university founders.
That’s what happens when students learn next to builders.

Israel leads the world in internationally founded US unicorns

44 US unicorns began in Israel before scaling in the United States, more than any other country outside America.

Startup Nation’s 4 pillars

Unmatched Density: Thousands of startups, VCs and R&D labs packed into one tiny country
Founder Mindset: Meet founders who’ve failed, adapted and launched again. Resilience isn’t optional, it’s part of the fabric
Learn by Doing: In Israeli culture, learning happens through action, iteration and bold experimentation
Global Impact: From AI and biotech to foodtech and climate, Israeli innovation is changing the world

Cross-sector Exposure: Get access to insights from deep tech, social ventures and everything in between

Meet the Founder

David Fogel

David is a seasoned investor and startup operator who has spent the last 25 years working with and advising founders across EMEA.

David is the co-founder of Alma-Angels, a diverse community of 650 Angels backing ambitious women founders. Over the past 6 years Alma Angels have invested ~$10m into 250 women led startups which have been valued at more than $1.6b.

In 2014 David founded The Israeli Tech-Parliament, a volunteer led community, 3,000 members strong, fostering deeper connections across UK and Israel tech ecosystems. David has been an advisor to the UK Israel Tech Hub created by the UK government to strengthen and raise the profile of our bilateral tech partnership.

Our Team

From unicorn founders and VCs to professors and global operators, Yozma is bringing together a powerful network of supporters who want to pay it forward and help shape the next generation of entrepreneurial talent. Our wider team includes startup operators, educators and investors with strong links to both Israel and the UK.

Ofri Ben-Porat

Serial Entrepreneur and operator who’s raised over $40M for deep tech startups. Co-founded a tourism startup in Israel, advised the Minister of Tourism, and now builds between Tel Aviv and London.

Deborah Gruenberger

Founder, creative consultant and active angel investor with 25 years in branding, communication and design. Brings deep experience from both agency and accelerator worlds, with a strong track record in education, lecturing and mentoring.

Oran Aviv

Startup operator and programme manager at the 8200 Impact accelerator. Most recently, she served as VP of Operations and International Affairs for the NGO leading the hostages release efforts in Israel.

Hagit Rom

Former head of Adaptive Learning (AI Tools) at Israel’s Center for Educational Technology. Built edtech ventures, advised Bank Hapoalim, and helped shape Israel’s ETF market from the ground up.

Eitan Mor

Eitan brings extensive experience at the intersection of risk, innovation, law, and entrepreneurship, having co-founded ventures and led international expansion initiatives. A community builder, he is passionate about connecting UK and Israeli innovation ecosystems to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.

Jon Simmons

Former Employer and Industry Engagement Manager with the Careers teams at Imperial College London Business School and the School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary University of London, Jon brings extensive experience in higher education programme delivery that strengthens undergraduate employability. He has worked closely with students, faculty, and dynamic employers, building meaningful work experiences and pathways from university study into entrepreneurship and professional careers.

Our Advisory Board

Scott O’Brien

Chief Investment Officer at Innovate UK. Leads Innovation Loans and Investor Partnerships, with a track record in public-sector finance and startup funding. Previously helped launch Start-Up Loans at BIS.

Dipen Jobanputra

Strategic advisor, operator and angel investor with 20 years in investment banking. Built a market-leading platform and led UK–Israel partnerships. Active across tech and theatre, Dipen helps founders sharpen go-to-market and execute with discipline.

Fiona Melville

Partner at The Fund Incubator, working with emerging VC fund managers on governance and investments. Previously worked in communications, politics and policy (UK and internationally); ran ecosystem and networks, and was COO at a VC fund.