Axis Innovation

What Axis Innovation does

Axis Innovation is a boutique advisory firm headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, founded in 2008, with a secondary office in San Diego, California (established 2020). The company specializes in open innovation services that connect global corporations, investors, and governments with Israeli and international startups. Core services include Technology Scouting (sourcing and validating 1,000+ startups annually), Innovation Consulting (designing accelerators, venture programs, and corporate-startup challenges), Israel Innovation Tours, Dealmaking Advisory for CVCs and acquirers, and a specialized Decarb Scouting vertical for decarbonization and sustainability solutions. The firm has delivered 100+ scouting projects across 30+ countries, with documented outcomes including 25+ startups receiving investment, 50+ POCs/pilots initiated, and 10+ formal corporate-startup partnerships through flagship engagements with Ford (MakeItDriveable program, 7+ years), CEVT, EDP, SIAMP, Visa, and Yamaha Music Innovations.

The business model is professional services-based, with revenue generated through project fees, annual retainers, and event sponsorships. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to engagement scope rather than standardized, reflecting the bespoke advisory nature. The go-to-market is relationship-driven, leveraging direct enterprise sales, an annual flagship event (Axis Tel Aviv, now in its 13th year, capped at ~250-300 attendees for dealmaking intimacy), and the Gateway to Growth roadshow series that brings growth-stage Israeli startups to US investors. Distribution is augmented by a partner network of 100+ international investors, law firms (Arnon Tadmor-Levy, Fox Rothschild, Roth&Co), trade organizations (Luxembourg Trade & Investment Office), and event co-hosts (Pegasus Tech Ventures, Peres Center).

Leadership is concentrated in Founder/CEO Ed Frank (25+ years Israeli ecosystem experience, prior Oracle/Demantra exit and IDT CVC founding) and Co-founder/Dealflow Manager Jason Weiss, supported by a small core team (1-10 employees including Principal BD Darina Khanina, Analyst Charli Stonefield, BD Talia Reynolds) and international advisors (Dixon Doll, Deborah Rosenberg, David Talmor). The company is privately held, founder-owned, and has not raised external funding. Underlying technology is human-curated proprietary screening methodology rather than a software platform; no API, SDK, or AI/ML capability is offered as a product.

Name

Axis Innovation

Legal name

Axis Innovation

Website

https://axisinnovation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Axis Innovation is a Tel Aviv-based boutique advisory firm, founded in 2008, that connects global corporations, investors, and governments with Israeli startups through technology scouting, open innovation consulting, and curated dealmaking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tel Aviv

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Technology Scouting Services: Project-based scouting engagements where Axis Innovation identifies, evaluates, and shortlists startups aligned with specific corporate innovation needs. Revenue generated through fixed project fees or retainer arrangements for ongoing scouting support.
2. Innovation Consulting: Advisory services helping corporations and governments design and run accelerators, venture programs, innovation teams, and corporate-startup challenge events. Includes strategic guidance on open innovation frameworks and ecosystem development.
3. Event Production and Sponsorship: Organization of Axis Tel Aviv, Gateway to Growth, and other innovation events. Revenue includes event sponsorships, ticket sales, and partnership fees from corporations and investors attending these dealmaking-focused events.
4. Dealmaking Advisory: Facilitation services for investors, CVCs, and startups seeking partnerships, investments, or acquisitions. Includes dealflow curation, introductions, diligence support, and transaction advisory.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Axis Innovation is a boutique advisory firm that scouts, validates, and matches Israeli and global startups with multinational corporations, investors, and governments. It delivers technology scouting, open innovation consulting, Israel innovation tours, dealmaking advisory, and decarbonization-focused scouting, supported by flagship events (Axis Tel Aviv annual conference and Gateway to Growth roadshows) that convene limited, curated audiences for dealmaking.

Product overview

Axis Innovation is a boutique advisory firm that offers a portfolio of professional services centered around open innovation and startup-corporate collaboration. The core offerings include Technology Scouting (startup identification and validation), Innovation Consulting (advisory on accelerators, venture programs, and innovation programs), Israel Innovation Tours, Dealmaking Advisory, and Decarb Scouting (sustainability-focused scouting). The company organizes flagship events including the annual Axis Tel Aviv Conference (now in its 13th year) and the Gateway to Growth roadshow program. Rather than a software platform, Axis Innovation delivers its value through human expertise, curated networks, and event-based dealmaking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Axis Tel Aviv: Annual international startup conference connecting Israeli startups with global investors and corporations, hosted in Tel Aviv since 2014.
• Gateway to Growth

Products and services

• Technology Scouting
• Innovation Consulting
• Israel Innovation Tours
• Dealmaking Advisory
• Decarb Scouting
• Axis Tel Aviv Conference
• Gateway to Growth Roadshow

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ startups screened annually, 100+ successful scouting projects, 30+ countries reached
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• FordflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFord engaged Axis Innovation since 2015 for the MakeItDriveable startup challenge, which became Ford's largest startup challenge event and scouting project in Europe and Israel for over 7 years. Axis helped design and manage the program, sourcing 5,000+ startups in 20+ countries and facilitating 10+ successful partnerships.
• CEVT (China Euro Vehicle Technology)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEVT engaged Axis Innovation as their Israel scouting partner for mobility and autonomous technology. Axis conducted in-depth scouting, shortlisted companies, and hosted CEVT innovation team on a 3-day Israel learning tour with 20+ meetings. Based on this work, CEVT opened an Israel office.
• EDP (Energias de Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDP selected Axis Innovation to organize a scouting innovation tour to Israel for participants from 13 global business units. Axis scouted startups from Renewable Energy, Hydrogen, Sustainability and Smart Cities, organized parallel investment scouting meetings with EDP CVC.
• SIAMPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIAMP engaged Axis Innovation as their Israel and global scouting partner for 3 months to identify innovations in hygiene, well-being and environmental responsibility. Axis sourced 50+ solutions from Israeli and 8 European countries, created multiple scouting reports, and managed communications leading to successful pilots.
• Pegasus Tech VenturesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures to host the Startup World Cup Israel Regional Qualifier as part of Axis Tel Aviv. Winning startup represents Israel at the Grand Finale in San Francisco for chance to win $1M investment.
• Fox RothschildcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFox Rothschild, a major law firm, partners with Axis Innovation as event sponsor and moderator for Axis Tel Aviv panels including the cybersecurity session.
• Roth&CocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoth&Co partners with Axis Innovation as event sponsor and moderator for Axis Tel Aviv, including the investor network roundtable on scaling in the US.
• Luxembourg Trade & Investment OfficecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxembourg Trade & Investment Office partners with Axis Innovation as event sponsor and presenter, positioning Luxembourg as a launchpad to Europe for Israeli startups.
• Arnon, Tadmor-Levy Law OfficeflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerArnon, Tadmor-Levy hosts Axis Tel Aviv 2026 from the 41st floor of Azrieli Tower. Partners serve as event moderators and judges for startup competitions.
• SamsungcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSamsung Open Innovation Manager participates as judge in Axis Tel Aviv Startup World Cup competition.
• BMWcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBMW Technology Office CEO and New Technology Scouting team member participate as panelists and judges at Axis Tel Aviv events.
• HondacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHonda Xcelerator Ventures Head of Strategic Investments participates as panelist at Axis Tel Aviv sustainability sessions.
• PepsiCocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPepsiCo Labs General Manager participates as panelist on AI sessions at Axis Tel Aviv.
• MastercardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMastercard Global Security Ventures representative participates as panelist on cybersecurity sessions.
• BayercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBayer Head of Cyber and AI Security Innovation participates as panelist on cybersecurity sessions.
• KasperskycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKaspersky Israel CTO participates as panelist on cybersecurity sessions at Axis Tel Aviv.
• IntuitcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIntuit for Startups Head participates as panelist on AI sessions at Axis Tel Aviv.
• Peres Center for Peace and InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeres Center hosts Axis Tel Aviv 2025 and collaborates on innovation initiatives. Head of Innovation participates as judge in Startup World Cup.
• CentricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentrica has partnered with Axis Innovation for open innovation projects connecting them with breakthrough startups in energy and climate technology.
• Yamaha Music InnovationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYamaha Music Innovations partnered with startups DataFalcon and SimScale through Axis Innovation facilitation to improve efficiency and accelerate innovation across business functions.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/axisinnov
• Xx.com/AxisInnovation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/axis-innovation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Axis Innovation