EY Journey Conference Explores AI Transformation and Startup Growth in Tel Aviv
EY's annual Journey conference in Tel Aviv explored the AI revolution's impact on tech, cybersecurity, and startups, featuring FiBreath's victory in 'The Pitch' competition and strategic insights from industry leaders.
The annual Journey conference, organized by EY, brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and technology executives in Tel Aviv to discuss scaling companies amid the rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Under the theme “Into the Wild,” the event examined how the AI revolution impacts everything from startup creation and product marketing to cybersecurity, robotics, healthcare, and defense technologies.
Opening the conference, Noam Kanti, co-managing partner at EY Israel, highlighted the fundamental shift in how tech companies interact with customers. He noted that the industry is moving from software that records data and assists employees to autonomous systems that make decisions and execute work independently. "For every dollar invested in software, about six dollars are invested in people performing the work," Kanti stated, emphasizing that AI opens a significantly broader market while posing strategic questions about outsourcing versus core capabilities.
A central highlight of the morning was the annual "The Pitch" startup competition, led by Elad Sternlicht from EY, featuring over 200 competing companies. Eight finalists pitched their ventures on stage, with FiBreath announced as the winner. Founded and managed by Hai Zaguri and Ron Bassler, the company develops inhalation drug delivery platforms utilizing engineered frozen optical fibers and electrical charges to improve targeted deep lung delivery for respiratory biologics.
The conference featured multiple high-level panels addressing venture capital trends, cyber acquisitions, and enterprise software. A notable panel featuring Gili Ranan (Cyberstarts), Yevgeny Dibrov (Armis), and Dani Brickman (Oasis Security) analyzed the forces behind building global cybersecurity giants, touching upon major exits such as Armis's acquisition for 7.75 billion dollars and Oasis Security's acquisition by Cyera for 1 billion dollars.
Discussions also explored the future of work, executive leadership, and the integration of AI into corporate DNA. Leaders from prominent venture funds and global tech enterprises, including Meta, Goldman Sachs, and General Atlantic, debated the strategies required to sustain profitability and technological leadership over the coming decade.