Instant Karma Newsletter 9.1.20
  • Tel Aviv has more startups per person than anywhere else in the world except Silicon Valley. What is Israel’s secret to startup success? Author Uri Adoni thinks he knows. 

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The “move fast and break things” ethos of startup culture puts those who are used to challenging assumptions and authority at a distinct advantage. That’s why Israeli venture capitalist Uri Adoni thinks Tel Aviv is one of the top startup ecosystems on the planet.

It’s a theory that also has implications for improving diversity in funding decisions. 

First, it’s worth noting that Israel’s startup culture is pretty singular. The only place with more startups per capita than Tel Aviv is Silicon Valley itself. Israeli startups raised a whopping $612 million in the month of August alone — nearly double what was raised in the same month in 2019, and in the face of a global economic calamity. Their success rate is so high that New York City offered to cover 50% of R&D expenses for Israeli startups if their technology addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and they were willing to relocate. 

How much of that market is tied to impact? 

Read more

In Other News: Wakanda Forever, Fiduciary Duty

The fictional country of Wakanda, brought to life in Black Panther by the late Chadwick Boseman, has a good blueprint for real-life racial equity investing. The New York Times takes a closer look at why impact investing is a top pandemic performer. Is sustainable fashion size-inclusive? Fiduciary duty should not be a deterrent to impact investing. To be effective, ESG investments need to be strategic. It’s time to talk about the dirtier side of clean energy.  

Levity Break

Plan your post-pandemic Halloween trip to one of the world’s creepiest abandoned places. (It’s September, which means it’s not too soon for spooky stuff!)