Galit Zamler is a serial technological and educational entrepreneur, co-founder at Galiel3.14 Ltd., and Vickathon for leading experiential hackathons.
She is the founder and mastermind behind the Israeli Entrepreneurship for Kids (EFK) program, which has since become an international initiative. 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, having introduced the concept to schools from an early age.
She holds an M.B.A. and a B.A. degree.
In my early twenties, I was hired by the Personnel Division of a large industrial company, and my first task was to prepare dismissal letters for veteran and experienced workers. The company's decision to terminate their employment was solely based on financial considerations.
Over time, the employer paid relatively large salaries and benefits to these employees as they advanced in seniority. At that time, immigrants came to Israel from the former Soviet Union, and the government provided grants to employers to help them hire these individuals. 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 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 significant developments. I have worked with him on several technological products, some of which have been successful, while others have not. 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 appropriately in an uncertain world, where everyone has to reinvent themselves and 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, which are, on one hand, experiential and, on the other hand, yield 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 co-founded, is a platform for hosting experiential hackathons. The Vickathon was developed in response to my need to operate hackathons more efficiently. We developed it in Bootstrap format, which means we created it gradually in response to market needs and through self-financing.
During the development of Vickathon, I participated in the EdStart accelerator program for a year alongside other entrepreneurs who shared my passion for entrepreneurship.
The process of developing the venture was enjoyable, though challenging. It completely reflected the ups and downs that entrepreneurs experience during the entrepreneurial process.
The combination of my technology venture experience, the vast knowledge I gained in leading hackathons, and my ability to communicate at any level has made me an expert in entrepreneurship and innovation events within organizations and the education system.
As an expert in producing hackathons and co-founder of the Vickathon project, I have also been interviewed about hackathons, explaining what they are, how they work, and why one should lead and participate in them.
I enjoy diversifying and challenging myself as part of my growth process, so I mentor entrepreneurs and lecture on entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation in both Hebrew and English, alongside hosting hackathons for various audiences. To foreign delegations, I would like to introduce Israel as a country that is innovative and forward-thinking. Additionally, I work with organizations that aim to enrich their employees, educators at all levels, and students from Israel and around the world.
By sharing my journey, I can 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 entrepreneurial journey, I often receive feedback, such as the letter I received after giving a lecture to Ramat Gan municipality employees.
The letter contents:
Subject: Letter of thanks and appreciation
We would like to express our gratitude and great appreciation for attending our staff meeting. You told us about the remarkable and exceptional 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 incredibly 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 from the experience. 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 comprises individuals from around the world who dedicate their time to supporting and promoting youth innovation in all its forms.
Since Galit joined GIFT, she has taken 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 Israel as a startup nation.
Galit meets with delegations from Mashav, an agency of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and discusses entrepreneurship and innovation with them.
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 follow Galit Zamler on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
