Nice to Meet You
We’re the team behind Yazamut 360°
Prof. Carmel Sofer
Founder and Chairman
A seasoned venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and strategic consultant in Israel’s high-tech industry, Prof. Carmel Sofer is also chairman of the Yazamut 360° Center for Entrepreneurship and an associate professor in BGU’s Departments of Cognition and Brain Science and Industrial Engineering and Management.
Previously a general partner in Gemini Israel Ventures, one of Israel’s first early- and seed-stage investors in the information-technology space, Sofer also served as president of Comverse Europe and founder and CEO of Starhome Mach, which merged with Telarix to become the global monetization-solution company Tomia.
Alongside his research, leadership of Yazamut 360°, and startup-advisory activities, Sofer is a member of the board of Roni’s Neighbors, an Israeli nonprofit that empowers neighborhood-based communities to eradicate loneliness among their elderly members and create a more resilient society.
Dana Gavish
Founder and General Manager
A former marketing and venture manager for global high-tech companies, Dana Gavish is founder of the Yazamut 360° Center for Entrepreneurship and vice president of entrepreneurship at BGN, BGU’s tech-transfer company.
Previously the vice president of marketing for Yissum, the tech-transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Gavish has extensive experience in the commercialization of academic research. She also spent seven years in journalism, as a producer at Associated Press, Fox News, and Israel’s Channel 2.
Gadi Bahat
Head of Academic Programs
A entrepreneur and venture capitalist with more than 25 years’ experience in Israel’s high-tech industry, Gadi Bahat is the head of academic programs for the Yazamut 360° Center for Entrepreneurship and CEO of Bahat Ventures, a startup consultancy whose clients include EMC, Radware, Sky Vision, Opgal, Theta Ray, and more.
His previous roles include co-founder and COO of the business security-solutions company Four Dimensions, CEO and board member of the customer-experience management company Olista, and EMEA Group president of Comverse.
Daniel Weil
CEO, Oazis Program
Daniel Weil is an entrepreneur and expert in practical entrepreneurship education. As CEO of the Oazis Program at Ben-Gurion University, he developed an entrepreneurship course for postdoctoral researchers and was involved in the founding and management of several startups, gaining substantial experience in the tech ecosystem. Previously, he led "Machshava Tova," a non-profit enhancing digital literacy, and TOM, a global open-source initiative for disability solutions. Daniel has received several awards, including the Ashalim Award and the Jerusalem Mayor's Badge.
Uli (Shaul) Konstantino
CEO of Cactus Capital
Uli Konstantino leads Cactus Capital, a student-run VC fund at the university's YAZAMUT360 center. He's pursuing a Master's in Electrical Engineering, conducting research in AI and algorithmics in Dr. Nir Shlesinger's lab while managing the fund full-time. Uli started in the Eitan Program for outstanding students, earning his B.Sc. in Electrical and Computer Engineering while learning extra courses from other degrees. He joined Cactus Capital through the VC analyst course in his second year while also working at Apple's cellular chip group for two years as a student. After completing one year as analyst at Cactus Capital and finishing his Bsc, he became the fund's full-time manager, applying his diverse background to lead Cactus Capital.
Buzi Raviv
Head of BGU radio
Buzi Raviv combines academic expertise with creativity to drive innovation in higher education. With a background that spans lab work to entrepreneurship, Buzi is dedicated to fostering creative thinking and transformative processes in their field. Buzi holds a PhD in desert plants molecular biology, and the Negev Champion of Hummus. But he is most known as the founder and director of BGU Radio, the innovative internet radio station of BGU. Nowadays, Buzi leads the program BGU Stream, aiming to develop entrepreneurship skills by practicing content creation and media channels management.
Shila Cohanim
Executive director of Students Think Innovation and Head of Ecosystem Relations
Student Think Innovation is a collaborative program with Google and the National Digital Israel Bureau. This program fosters innovation within government ministries by utilizing cloud-based and AI-driven solutions to address governmental challenges.
In addition, Shila serves as the Head of Ecosystem Relations and Partnerships at the Be'er Sheva Innovation District – one of the fastest-growing and most significant innovation hubs. She leads the national Accelerator Managers’ Community and is a board member of Amit – Alumni of Unit 81.
Shila holds a degree in Management and Social Sciences from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and began her journey as a research assistant at Harvard University. Her entry into the world of entrepreneurship has always been through impact-driven initiatives. She was one of the pioneers of AutismTech in Israel – a groundbreaking field developing advanced technologies to improve the quality of life for children and families on the autism spectrum. Additionally, she managed the technological entrepreneurship division at the Michal Sela Forum, which focuses on eradicating violence against women.
Shila's message to young entrepreneurs: Act despite the fear.
Keren Pollack
Leaders program manager
Keren's diverse background bridges healthcare, business, and cutting-edge research. She holds a bachelor's degree in physical therapy, an MBA with a focus on the biomed industry, and a master's in brain sciences. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in brain sciences with a focus on stroke, Keren brings extensive experience from her business and marketing roles in medical device and cyber security startups. Dedicated to meaningful impact, she is also the founder and board member of a therapeutic center supporting post-trauma patients in the Gaza envelope region.
Gonen Leser
Marketing Manager
Gonen holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and philosophy and another BFA degree in film and television. His Thesis film,"Shmita", won a grant from Teddy Productions and Ananey at the South Film Festival pitching competition in 2018. A year later, his film won the award for outstanding television pilot at the same festival. In addition, the film reached the finals of the international Lift-Off Film Festival.
Gonen has experience in marketing, writing, research, creative work, and managing social media for individuals and organizations.
In parallel to his work at the center, Gonen is a master's student in clinical psychology and is writing his thesis in the Human-Situation Lab of Dr. Noga Sverdlik.
Stav Brener
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Stav leads the integration of artificial intelligence into the organization, streamlines internal workflows, improves access to organizational information, and develops business automation processes. In his previous role as Head of Operations, Stav managed our facility, procurement processes, and communications with the university's administrative departments, while implementing new technologies and optimizing workflows.
Prior to that, as a community emissary for the Jewish Agency in Florida, he connected the local community to Israel through educational and cultural programs. Stav also served for 4.5 years in the IDF's Unit 9900, where he managed GIS solutions and led teams. Additionally, he commanded the "Roim Rachok" program, which integrates soldiers on the autism spectrum into Unit 9900.
Amir Avnieli
"Communities" program manager
Amir is a B.A. degree graduate in general history and middle east studies. Manager of the largest program in Yazamut 360 center.
Now he is a student for an M.A. degree in middle east studies focusing on Saudi Arabia.
Now he is a student for an M.A. degree in middle east studies focusing on Saudi Arabia.
Owner of a black belt (Expert 1) in krav maga and a certified martial arts instructor. Amir is a broadcaster and technician in BGU Radio and formerly a live stream broadcast manager.
Assaf Levi
Executive director of Negev Prime program
Asaf, originally from Kibbutz Ruhama, was born and raised in the Negev all his life and is very connected to the place. He served in an elite combat unit in the IDF and served as a team commander in the regular and reserve ranks.
In addition, he participated in the fourth cohort of the Negev Prime program, during the second year of studying for a B.A in economics and opened a store on Amazon with a private label.
Assaf began his career in management during a long-term activity in the Scout at the same time as leading community settlement processes.
Galina Semenov
Chief Financial Officer
Galina is the economist and Chief Financial Officer of the Yazamut 360 Center. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in business administration. Previously, she worked as an economist and budget and project manager at BGN Technologies, Ben-Gurion University's technology transfer company, with funding from the Israel Innovation Authority. Since the outbreak of the war, she has become an entrepreneur, establishing community initiatives to boost the mental resilience of children affected by the security situation during the war.
During her activities, she won two calls for proposals and established a group of volunteers from Be'er Sheva residents. Galina believes that people have come to this world to contribute to a better world in every way possible, whether at work or in their free time.
Let’s get better leverage together.
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