Galit Zamler is a serial technological and educational entrepreneur, co-founder at Galiel3.14 Ltd., and Vickathon for leading experiential hackathons.
Her latest venture is called GoodLooking, which arose from her need to look good in live video meetings on all types of platforms.
She is the founder and mastermind behind the Israeli Entrepreneurship for Kids (EFK) program, which became an international program. She delivers lectures throughout Israel and abroad and holds workshops on entrepreneurship and innovation.
She is a mentor for entrepreneurs and an international consultant on entrepreneurship education from an early age in schools.
She holds M.B.A. and B.A. degrees.
In my early twenties, I was hired by the Personnel Division of a large industrial company, and the first thing I was asked to do was prepare dismissal letters for veteran and experienced workers. The company's decision to fire them was solely based on financial considerations.
Over time, the employer paid a relatively large salary and benefits to these employees as they grew in seniority. At that time, immigrants came to Israel from the former Soviet Union, and the government provided grants to employers to hire them. Although the government's intentions were good, it created a scenario that enabled the organization to fire those veteran workers, employ new immigrants at minimum wage, and receive grants.
After seeing this and realizing how difficult it was for these workers to reinvent themselves at such an advanced age, I decided to start my own business at the age of forty. Back then, the term entrepreneurship was not yet familiar. And so I did.
Over the years, I have worked as an organizational entrepreneur. That's why I was promoted from a personnel coordinator position to a senior management position. I was the organization's second and youngest female manager. The promotion was based solely on my contributions to the organization.
During my employment, I established a company with my husband, Eldad Zamler. He is an award-winning expert programmer on major developments. I have worked with him on several technological products, some of which have succeeded, some have failed. Through this process, I have learned and continue to learn how to improve as an entrepreneur and cope with challenges, successes, and failures.
As an intrapreneur and an independent entrepreneur, I became a part of the entrepreneurial community, first in Israel and later globally. I did this because I wanted to learn how to act properly in an uncertain world, in which everyone has to reinvent themselves and be able to convey a value that people want.
Furthermore, I lead a committee of accelerators and incubators within the Israeli Chamber of Information Technology, where I contribute my experience in entrepreneurship to entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journey.
I participated in my first hackathon in 2013 as a member of the local tech community. I enjoyed the vibe, creativity, teamwork, and the connections formed between participants and decided to lead hackathons myself.
I have perfected the format of the hackathons I lead to those that are, on one hand, experiential and, on the other hand, have practical results. After all, entrepreneurs don't only come up with creative ideas, but also put them into action.
The Vickathon venture, one of the technology ventures I'm co-founder of, is a venture for hosting experiential hackathons. The Vickathon was developed out of my need to operate hackathons more efficiently. We developed it in the Bootsrap format, which means we created it gradually according to the market's needs and through self-financing.
During the development of Vickathon, I participated in the EdStart accelerator for a year with other entrepreneurs who were passionate about entrepreneurship.
The process of developing the venture was enjoyable though challenging. It completely reflected the ups and downs that entrepreneurs go through in the entrepreneurial process.
The combination of the technology venture, the vast experience I gained in leading hackathons, and my ability to communicate at any level made me an expert in entrepreneurship and innovation events within organizations and the education system.
Being an expert in the production of hackathons as well as co-founder of the Vickathon project, I am also being interviewed about hackathons and explaining: what they are, how they work, and why one should lead and participate in them?
I like to diversify and challenge myself as part of my growth process, so I enjoy mentoring entrepreneurs and lecturing about entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation in Hebrew and English, alongside hackathons for different audiences. To foreign delegations, I introduce Israel as an innovative country. Additionally, I work with organizations that aim to enrich their employees, educators at all levels, and students from Israel and worldwide.
By sharing my personal journey, I am able to tell the story of Israel as an innovative and entrepreneurial nation.
Watch Galit Zamler's presentation (in English) at the Global Innovation Field Trip event: Entrepreneurship - At Any Age.
Watch also Galit Zamler's lecture at the Open University Entrepreneurship Club, which tells the story of how the Entrepreneurship for Kids Program developed from a one-class social initiative to an international business venture: (In Hebrew)
In my lectures where I share my entrepreneurship journey, I often receive feedback like this letter I received after giving a lecture to Ramat Gan municipality employees.
The letter contents:
Subject: Letter of thanks and appreciation
We want to express our gratitude and great appreciation for coming to our staff meeting. You told us about the remarkable and special venture you founded and still lead today in Israel and worldwide - Entrepreneurship for Kids and Teenagers.
You are driven to make a positive contribution to children and teenagers in Israel and around the world, to raise the next generation. We were greatly impressed by your initiative and contribution to the community and the world. You inspire and earn tremendous respect with your extraordinary personality, the fire in your eyes, your patriotic spirit, charm, modesty, and energy.
We enjoyed, learned, and benefited. Well done!
With deep appreciation, the staff of the Ramat Gan Center for Domestic Violence Treatment and Prevention
As someone who, on the one hand, promotes entrepreneurship and encourages an entrepreneurial mindset and, on the other hand, leads hackathons with the technological project Vickathon, Galit was invited to collaborate with Reichman University.
Students in the Marcom seminar received a comprehensive overview from Galit about her activities, with emphasis on the Vickathon project. As part of their seminar work, they prepared a detailed marketing plan to promote the project.
Galit participated in an international webinar on empowering young people through innovation. The webinar was attended by representatives from the USA, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.
Certificate of appreciation from the Women Tech Network for assisting technological women worldwide in developing their careers.
Galit is part of the Global Innovation Field Trip team. The GIFT Team is made up of individuals from around the world who give their time to support and promote youth innovation in all its forms.
Since Galit joined GIFT, she takes an active part in the quarterly 24-hour live events. She has already received several certificates, including this one, in appreciation of her contribution.
Since 2010, Galit has been promoting Global Entrepreneurship Week in educational institutions in Israel and is actively participating in this week's events.
In a meeting with German parliamentarians who came to learn about her entrepreneurial story and about Israel as a startup nation.
Galit meets with delegations of Mashav, an agency of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and talk to them about entrepreneurship and innovation.
Organizing international hackathons in person and virtually.
Taking part in international entrepreneurship events.
Speaking to students in India
Speaking to Birthright Israel delegations to inspire and connect them with the country
Feel free to to follow Galit Zamler on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
