An Ambitious Vision
In the heart of Israel, a transformative movement is brewing, challenging the norms of what high-tech industries can achieve. Spearheading this initiative is Idan Tendler, Partner at Vine Ventures and Chairman and Founder of Anu Banu. This visionary organization seeks to reshape Israel’s high-tech scene into a beacon of social progress.
More Than Just Economics
On a typical Wednesday morning in Tel Aviv, Anu Banu brings together leading professionals from various high-tech sectors. This isn’t just a meeting of minds; it’s a convergence of diverse talents aimed at uplifting Israel’s social fabric, as Tenders shares: “High-tech already drives Israel’s economy, but we founded Anu Banu to ensure it becomes Israel’s social engine too.”
Empowering the Underserved
In the town of Sha’ar HaNegev, Anu Banu and local leaders are collaborating to build a regional innovation center, transforming conflict-ridden areas into hubs of renewal and growth. Meanwhile, in Bat Yam, tech teams develop strategies to enhance the city’s financial resilience, attracting and retaining youth — the cornerstone of future innovation.
Bridging the Gap
Across the country, Anu Banu is tirelessly working to simplify access to high-tech for all social strata. Take Lidor Feldman, a first-generation college graduate, and Bayan Kassem, a Druze IDF officer. Both found their pathways into tech thanks to Anu Banu’s strategic alliances with industry giants like Wix.
A Broader Impact
Beyond just individual success stories, Anu Banu multiplies their impact by building partnerships with over 2,000 volunteers and 200 tech companies. “We are not a political organization,” adds Tendler. “We work with all sectors, leveraging the power of high-tech to foster social cohesion across Israel.”
Education and AI: The Next Frontier
Understanding that education is the linchpin to reducing inequality, Anu Banu’s volunteers will soon support 1,000 classrooms in Israel’s periphery. Plus, with the establishment of Build-Up, a unique development group, they are harnessing AI to streamline public sector efficiency, making smarter, more accessible services a reality.
Uniting for the Future
High-tech stability post-October 7th marks the start of Israel’s social revitalization, as Tendler believes: “Our mission is to build the infrastructure that allows every person in high-tech to make a national impact.” As Anu Banu forges partnerships across government and social sectors, it becomes clear: Israel’s tech-driven transformation is just beginning.
As stated in CTech, this advocacy for long-term, structural change ensures that technology not only powers Israel’s economy but also the hopes and dreams of its diverse population.