In Conversation with Kobi Samboursky: An Israeli VC’s View on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Image by Pawel Michalski

Kobi Samboursky, Founder of Glilot Capital, shared insights into current conflicts that shape Israel’s startup ecosystem and his views on the resilience of the sector.

Israel has historically been a center for technological innovation in sectors such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Yet, with the country facing heightened tensions, there are challenges on both personal and business fronts. "In the first couple of days, it was hard," Samboursky reflected, likening the experience to the aftermath of 9/11 when he was living in Manhattan. "The news was so… terrifying that it got everyone in shock." But, he said, for those not called to active military duty, the next step was simple: work. “If you’re not out on the field, you’re contributing by making your company stronger.”

Despite the turmoil, the startup sector has remained surprisingly resilient. Samboursky’s firm, which operates in seed and later-stage investments, saw unexpected growth in early-stage investments. "Israeli startups build as if it’s a second nature," he noted. Rather than retreating, many are using the situation as fuel for innovation. "This specific situation has driven people to start companies… people are taking chances they wouldn’t have before," he said, adding that the conflict may have accelerated a trend of early-stage companies sprouting up across different sectors.

The Global Nature of Israeli Startups

As startups in conflict consider relocating some operations abroad, Samboursky shared his thoughts on the global aspirations of Israeli startups. “Israeli startups, unlike companies in other places, have no local market. They’re global from day one,” he explained. Many companies establish their R&D centers locally while building go-to-market functions in the U.S., making them adept at weathering regional instability. He acknowledged that some firms are strategically placing parts of their workforce outside Israel, mostly for risk management. "But in a world running on cloud, the change is not dramatic," he pointed out.

International Commitment and Challenges

Samboursky described two types of editors when talking about international investment: Those with a deep commitment to Israel, and those who may hesitate. “Cyber investors know that Israel is essential—it's like going to Italy for pasta,” he quipped, emphasizing Israel’s reputation as a top innovator in cybersecurity. The Israeli VC also noted, "If you're not already invested here, it's probably not the time to start exploring Israel."

Short-Term Disruptions But Long-Term Resilience

Despite the issues that the current conflict in Israel has caused, Samboursky doesn’t foresee any lasting harm to the regional startup economy. When looking at the historical adversity that the industry has faced, he asserted that Israel’s economy has emerged from adversity stronger than ever. "After every major incident, there’s no long-term effect on the industry," he noted. He believes hard times can breed perseverance, a trait synonymous with successful founders. Samboursky believed that successful companies can lead to better economic conditions in Israel.

As Samboursky put it, for many in Israel, "making your company strong is making Israel strong."