Skilling women researchers and nurturing women CEOs
Today’s society is very advanced – in so many ways.
From the cars people drive, to the way they communicate with one another, to the places people can travel to – and how they can get there.
But unfortunately, gender disparity is still evident for female CEOs, particularly in the Biotech sector.
Most people know that gender inequality still exists in some form, but often no action is taken to change it. With women being underrepresented, it might be having a negative impact on the overall outcomes.
“In order to run a company, one has to be worth more than just their research capabilities, there’s lots of more skills that are necessary,” Dr. Zeenia Kaul from Reheva Biosciences reveals. “During my training as a researcher, I was not necessarily offered an opportunity to learn those skills.
“I had to learn them on job.
“Some of the skills necessary to run a successful biotech startup or business are very different.
“As a scientist, I should be able to read a balance sheet and understand what it means for my business.
“I was very fortunate to have business education that allowed me to get the skillset and have a co-founder who had started companies and expanded them.”
Image: file
Cure Brain Cancer Foundation CEO Lance Kawaguchi reveals a similar tale of not many females being – or becoming CEOs – in the sector.
“When I joined the not-for-profit sector two years ago, I didn’t really see any women CEOs,” Kawaguchi adds. “That’s why I wanted to make sure that all the funds that we raised, are going to be dispersed based off merit, not on gender.”
So, how can change be facilitated, not only in the sector but across the board?
“I want to create an ecosystem, so that the biotechs are provided with the commercial experience of how to do intellectual property (IP) law; how to read a balance sheet when you’re doing a debt deal,” Kawaguchi asserts.
“I find many of the researchers, brilliant as they are, don’t have the finance or the business acumen.
“And that’s one thing I’m trying to provide – not only the funding, but also the support to fill in the gaps, to help them progress through each phase,” he says.
Another major obstacle that Kawaguchi points out is the lack of funding given to some companies at Phase zero, especially those startups that don’t have a track record of successful venture capital raises.
“How do you get a track record if you’re not given an opportunity?” he posits. “The more we can support that Phase zero phase or Phase one research, the more shots on goal.
“And this is how we get more from the bench to the bedside – by supporting the front end of the pipeline.”
Baruch Dach discusses SimpliiGood’s innovative plant-based smoked salmon made from solar-powered spirulina aimed at tackling climate change
In Short:
– Baruch Dach founded SimpliiGood, focusing on sustainable protein from solar-powered, desert-grown spirulina for plant-based smoked salmon.
– The company targets the restaurant industry and will launch its product in Israel, followed by Europe and the US.
SimpliiGood is redefining sustainable protein by turning solar-powered, desert-grown spirulina into whole-cut alternatives like plant-based smoked salmon.
Founder and CTO Baruch Dach explains how spirulina’s unique biology enables it to efficiently convert solar energy into complete protein while maintaining a structure similar to muscle fiber.
Baruch breaks down how the controlled desert environment, powered by renewable energy, allows for scalable, clean, and climate-resilient food production. The conversation dives into how spirulina’s natural properties make it an ideal base for delicate proteins like fish, something many plant-based brands struggle to replicate.
With spirulina at the centre of their innovation, SimpliiGood is pushing the boundaries of clean-label, nutrient-rich protein alternatives.
SimpliiGood’s smoked salmon is set to launch in January, targeting restaurants, bagels, and sushi markets. Initial sales will be in Israel, expanding to Western Europe, with plans to register with the FDA for a US launch.
The company positions itself as an ingredient supplier in the plant-based and hybrid markets, aiming to provide products that create a satisfying consumer experience, whether they are entirely plant-based or contain small amounts of fish or meat.
Israel’s dynamic startup scene thrives on necessity and resilience, says Raphael Singer, amid rising innovations from conflict challenges
In Short:
– Israel excels in innovation and startups, driven by necessity and resilience from historical challenges.
– Investment opportunities are growing, with a focus on technologies promoting peace and regional collaboration.
Israel calls itself an “innovation island,” and according to Raphael Singer — Director of Climate & Sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — that title is well earned.
In this in-depth conversation, he explains how a lack of natural resources forced Israel to innovate early, building agriculture, water tech, and climate solutions from the ground up.
He discusses how Israel’s culture of embracing failure is central to its entrepreneurial strength, and why government investment remains critical to sustaining a nation with the world’s highest startup rate per capita. The defence sector’s R&D continues to spill into civilian life, powering everything from food security to climate resilience.
Singer also explores what other nations can learn from Israel’s approach to building a future-ready economy — one rooted in resilience, creativity, and rapid adaptation.
Israel wants the world to know its tech ecosystem remains open, active, and hungry for global partnerships. Collaboration with regional neighbours on issues like water security, climate challenges, and sustainability is seen as a pathway to long-term peace, reinforced by initiatives like the Abraham Accords.
Inside PLANETech Week: How Israeli climate tech is targeting emerging markets
In Short:
– PLANETech Week unites Israeli startups, investors, and policy leaders to tackle climate technology challenges in emerging markets.
– The Marketplace connects innovative Israeli startups with customers, especially in developing regions, to promote sustainability.
PLANETech Week brings together the world’s leading climate innovators to accelerate the scaling of climate technologies into emerging markets — the regions where emissions are rising fastest.
The event unites startups, investors, and policy leaders to solve the financial, regulatory, and infrastructure barriers slowing global climate deployment.
Speaking from Tel Aviv, Dan Bakola highlights how Israel’s climate ecosystem — home to more than 10,000 startups — is using technology to drive sustainability across agriculture, energy, materials, and the ocean economy.
A major part of the mission is Market Square, an online matchmaking platform connecting startups with investors, customers, multinationals, and partners across the developing world.
Climate solutions
With simple yet powerful technologies born out of Israel’s own challenges — from desert conditions to water scarcity — the country is aiming to share climate solutions with the world. PLANETech Week creates the environment for collaboration, connection, and global impact.
Israel’s transition from a developing country to a high-income nation offers valuable insights. The country’s experience in overcoming harsh environmental conditions has spurred innovative technologies applicable to global challenges.