Israeli entrepreneurs aim to inspire students at Lehman

Five Israeli tech entrepreneurs described the fruits of planting roots in a challenging environment during a showcase at Lehman College’s Lovinger Theatre on Feb. 18.

The consul general of Israel in New York said like institutions in the Bronx, Israeli businesses have had to invent and reinvent themselves constantly in order to survive in a “tough neighborhood.”

“Today, we have the opportunity to bring together the creativity of Israeli start-ups with the young, innovative leaders of the Bronx,” Ido Aharoni told the audience of Lehman students, faculty, Israeli consulate workers and others. “All over the world, Israel has found partners to explore its creative passions and resources, and it is no coincidence that we are gathered in the Bronx — a place that is passionately embracing innovation.”

Last month, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. visited Israel in a delegation of Latino leaders. Days later, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin came to the Bronx. Both leaders said they want to boost ties between the borough and the Middle Eastern country.

At the tech showcase, Lehman College President Ricardo Fernández touted a $100,000 pilot scholarship program recently launched by the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

The program will give college students from the U.S. the opportunity to study abroad in Israel, where technology and innovative start-ups are heavily emphasized, and vice versa. 

Mr. Fernández said he envisions Lehman students creating their own businesses through innovative ideas.

“Technology has opened and continues to open doors,” he said. “It’s what we see for our students in the Bronx, and also for local business owners.”

There are currently more than 3,000 start-up companies in Israel, the largest number per capita in the world, according to a speaker at the event. 

The co-founder of one of those start-ups, Gilad Rotem, explained CUPS, a subscription-based coffee app.

The company wants to unite independent coffee shops around the U.S. to help them compete with bigger chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.