Hilla Ovil-Brenner is a driving force behind entrepreneurship in Israel, playing a pivotal role in both the startup and investment sectors. As a partner at Arieli Capital and a mentor to countless startups, she has left a lasting mark on the Israeli tech ecosystem. In this interview conducted by Yoel Israel for IsraelTech, Hilla’s journey from founder to investor reveals a powerful narrative about passion, resilience, and a commitment to fostering innovation, especially among women entrepreneurs. Her experiences highlight critical lessons for founders, investors, and ecosystem builders worldwide.
The Drive to Become a Founder
Hilla’s journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by her unshakable drive to become a founder. Coming to Israel from South Africa, she was captivated by the energy of the growing Israeli tech scene. Although she lacked entrepreneurial experience, technical skills, and even local connections, Hilla founded her first company, WhiteSmoke, in 2002. The company developed one of the first AI-driven grammar tools, a visionary idea at the time. But as Hilla admits, her path was riddled with challenges and mistakes.
Her determination to succeed in a field with little support was key to her early success. “I was super driven to become a founder,” she reflects. “This was my life’s mission.” Despite the absence of accelerators, mentorship, and the thriving ecosystem we see today, Hilla was fueled by the desire to make a significant impact and bring innovation to life.
Overcoming Challenges as a Female Entrepreneur
As a woman in a male-dominated tech industry, Hilla encountered unique challenges, particularly around networking and fundraising. According to her, many women entrepreneurs face difficulty being transactional in their professional relationships. While women excel at building deep, personal connections, Hilla argues that they often hesitate to directly ask for what they need in business settings, such as funding or introductions. “Women are terrible at networking because they get really close to the other person. They’ll talk about kids, school, or holidays, but never be transactional,” she observes.
In contrast, men in the same situations typically focus on business outcomes from the start. Hilla stresses the importance of teaching women entrepreneurs to balance relationship-building with strategic asks, such as raising capital or securing partnerships. This is a critical step for women looking to scale their businesses effectively in a competitive ecosystem.
Mentorship and Community Building
One of Hilla’s key contributions to the Israeli startup scene is her work in fostering female entrepreneurship through initiatives like Yazamiyot (Female Entrepreneurs), a nonprofit she founded 14 years ago. With over 8,000 female founders in its network, Yazamiyot provides a unique platform for women to learn from role models and receive guidance from mentors. Hilla emphasizes the importance of visible, relatable success stories for aspiring entrepreneurs: “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
The programs offered by Yazamiyot go beyond traditional networking events. They feature accelerators, innovation programs, and partnerships with global corporations like Google, Amazon, Salesforce, and MasterCard. These initiatives offer practical support to female entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools and confidence they need to grow their startups and secure investment.
Hilla also points out that women are often more coachable than their male counterparts. They tend to listen more actively and seek guidance from mentors, which she sees as a key to their success. “Women are more coachable than men,” Hilla explains. “They are actually looking to learn.” Through her work at Yazamiyot, Hilla is helping to build a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial community in Israel, offering women the support they need to succeed.
The Role of Resilience in Israeli Entrepreneurship
One of the defining features of Israel’s tech ecosystem is resilience. Whether during times of war, economic downturns, or technological disruption, Israeli entrepreneurs consistently demonstrate an ability to adapt and persevere. Hilla attributes much of this resilience to the unique DNA of Israeli society, where challenges are seen as opportunities to innovate and overcome adversity.
Hilla recalls how, even during times of national crisis, such as during the war in 2023, entrepreneurs continued their work undeterred. For example, she held a major event for female founders on Zoom amid the chaos. “There were missiles flying, but we still managed to have our event,” she reflects. This unwavering determination is a key driver of Israel’s global reputation as a startup nation.
From Startup Nation to Scale-Up Nation
While Israel has long been known as the “Startup Nation,” Hilla notes that the ecosystem is now evolving into a “Scale-Up Nation.” More Israeli startups are reaching unicorn status and achieving sustainable business models. Unlike in the past, when many Israeli entrepreneurs aimed for quick exits, today’s founders are focused on building long-term, profitable companies.
“I think today we’re not only a Startup Nation, we’re also a Scale-Up Nation,” Hilla explains. “We have so many unicorns and companies with business models that actually make sense.” This shift reflects a maturation of the Israeli tech ecosystem, as more entrepreneurs seek to build companies that can grow and thrive independently.
The Power of Arieli Capital and Impact Investment
In addition to her work with Yazamiyot, Hilla is now a partner at Arieli Capital, a multi-family office that invests in diverse sectors, including med-tech, agri-tech, and fashion tech. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, Arieli Capital focuses on impact investment, supporting companies that not only generate financial returns but also make a positive difference in the world.
Hilla’s role at Arieli Capital allows her to combine her passion for entrepreneurship with her desire to make the world a better place. “We create a double bottom line,” she says. “We really care about impact and making this world a better place.” For Hilla, this new chapter is a continuation of her lifelong mission to support founders and foster innovation.
Conclusion
Hilla Ovil-Brenner’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. Her journey from entrepreneur to investor reflects the evolution of Israel’s tech ecosystem, from its early days as a developing startup scene to its current status as a global innovation hub. Through her work at Yazamiyot and Arieli Capital, Hilla continues to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, ensuring that Israel remains a beacon of resilience, creativity, and success in the global tech world.
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