Where AI Meets DeepTech
AI, DeepTech, or DefenseTech (dual-use) entrepreneurs - Compete in our VentureHack for a chance to win a potential term sheet of up to 2.5 Million NIS.
Registration Closed
The Challenge
We seek to find the next innovative ventures that utilize AI and large language model (LLM) based solutions. Ventures built to develop humanoids, optimize supply chains, integrate AI into production floors, or enhance cross-organizational efficiency.
Prizes
The winning ventures will receive a prize from i4Valley that includes:
- An entrepreneurship grant of up to 50,000 NIS
- Potential term sheet of up to 2.5 million NIS
Who Can Apply
Individual entrepreneurs with ideas or early-stage companies with up to 4 co-founders, prior to receiving substantial investment.
Registration ClosedVentureHack Timeline
February 15, 2026
Registration opensMarch 21, 2026
Registration closes at 23:59April 16, 2026
Workshop 1: Founder Mode: How to Boost Efficiency and Productivity in Business.17:00-20:00
April 23, 2026
Workshop 2: Value Proposition: How to Develop and Implement Competitive Advantages17:00-20:00
April 23-28, 2026
Mentor MeetingsStructured 1:1 online meetings with mentors to fine-tune value propositions and pitches.
April 29, 2026
Value proposition submissionTeams submit comprehensive business plans for judges' review.
May 14, 2026
Demo Day:16:30-19:45
Final judging phase with team presentations and winner announcements.
Mentors
VentureHack 2026 will feature an esteemed panel of mentors, bringing together leaders and experts from various relevant fields. Our team of mentors will include
Yoram Horowitz
Director, Moona
Ayellet Zinger
CEO, Leet Strategy
Eli Liraz
Mentor, Agam Aquaculture
PhD. Yaniv Saar
CTO & Co-Founder, Elementics AI
PhD. Elinor Josef
CEO & Co-Founder, Axiv Materials
PhD. Georgy Maikov
CEO & Co-Founder, Elementics AI
PhD. Gili Bittan-Banin
Manager, 3B Accelerator
Yaakov Diminsky
Director of Venture Building, Road2
Yael Goethe
CEO & Co-Founder, Capsule Minimal
About
i4Valley
i4Valley helps Israeli northern visionaries by investing in promising pre-seed, early-stage, and bootstrap startups focused on sustainable solutions, while also building tech ventures for global markets.
FAQs
What is the Demo Day Agenda?
Demo Day takes place between 16:30 and 19:45, and includes a pitching event, followed by the winners’ announcement.
What is next?
You can submit your idea until March 21, 2026. Acceptance notices will be sent following the screening phase on March 23, 2026.
What types of solutions are in scope?
We welcome solutions across a broad spectrum:
- Applications spanning multiple industry verticals
- Solutions ranging from robotics applications to high-level insights generation
- Technologies that contribute to autonomous factory development
- Any innovative approach using AI/LLMs to transform industrial operations
When and where is VentureHack taking place?
VentureHack is a multi-phase event running from February 15, 2026, to May 14, 2026. The workshops and the Demo Day will be held at i4Valley offices (‘Klika’) in Karmiel.
What to present on Demo Day?
Finalists will present a 4-minute pitch of their value proposition.
What are the evaluation criteria?
Submissions are evaluated based on four key factors:
Significant Problem and Pain
- Does the solution address a critical challenge?
- Is it solving a substantial problem?
- What is the potential impact?
Solution Generalizability
- Can the solution be applied across multiple industry verticals?
- How adaptable is it to different manufacturing contexts?
- What is the range of potential applications?
Integration Complexity
- How easily can the solution be implemented?
- What are the technical requirements for integration?
- Lower complexity is viewed more favorably
Market Potential
- What is the total addressable market?
- Is there clear demand across industries?
- Does the solution have significant growth potential?