Modern Agriculture Foundation Unveils 2026 Leading Women in AgFoodTech at Sold-Out Tel Aviv Summit

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – The Modern Agriculture Foundation (MAF), in close collaboration with the leading law firm Shibolet & Co., successfully hosted its 4th Annual AgFoodTech Gathering this week.

The sold-out summit brought together a packed room of scientists, investors, and executives, solidifying MAF's role as the premier ecosystem enabler driving the global transition toward sustainable food systems and advanced alternative proteins.

"Thanks to the profound leadership and vision within this community, Israel has evolved from the 'StartUp Nation' into a global 'FoodTech Nation,'" stated Levana Shifman, CEO of MAF. "As an ecosystem enabler, our responsibility is to drive capital, accelerate regulatory pathways, and build the strategic connections necessary to securethe future of our planet. This evening proved that the leadership required to transform global food systems already exists right here."

A foundational pillar of the event's success and MAF's ongoing global impact is the long-standing support of Juliet Stein, Vice President of WD Biotech. Recognizing her critical role, the gathering honored Stein for her exceptional vision, loyalty to Israeli FoodTech, and her deep dedication to empowering women in the sector.

MAF leadership emphasized that her continuous partnership has been instrumental in attracting vital investments and bringing these high-profile industry events to life.

Opening the summit, Shifman presented remarkable data reflecting the rapid growth of MAF's professional community. The network now boasts approximately 230 members, including 164 C-level and senior executives, 77 PhD researchers, and 54 female founders. This powerful group spans the entire AgFoodTech spectrum, with 50% representing cutting-edge startups, alongside leaders from academia, venture capital, government bodies, and corporate industry giants.

The absolute highlight of the evening was the prestigious 2026 Leading Women in AgFoodTech recognition ceremony. Led by Judging Committee Head Dr. Dorit Rozner (CTO of Strauss Group), alongside an elite panel of experts from Tnuva, Reinhold Cohn Group, Shibolet & Co., and the Bank of Israel, which proudly included past winners from 2025, the initiative honored four exceptional trailblazers:

• Dana Kedar (Executive Director, GrowingIL): Honored for her outstanding role as an ecosystem builder, successfully driving commercial pilots and fostering international collaborations between startups, farmers, corporations, and government entities.

• Dr. Naama Kopelman (Co-Founder & CTO, Foldwise Proteins): Recognized for her exceptional scientific achievements in computational biology and protein technologies, holding 14 patents and bridging the gap between deep science andindustrial application.

• Dr. Gali Artzi (CTO & Partner, PeakBridge VC): Awarded for her powerfulcombination of scientific depth and global investment strategy, leading complex due diligence and driving venture capital toward next-generation nutrition and life sciences.

• Galia Reicher (Corporate Development Director, Aleph Farms): Celebrated for leading commercial strategies and building high-profile international partnerships across Switzerland, Singapore, and the UAE to scale cell-culturedbreakthroughs.

The professional agenda featured high-impact, TED-style presentations. Adv. Galit Ofer (Partner at Shibolet & Co.) discussed the strategic integration of ESG principles as a leverage tool for capital deployment. Dr. Gali Artzi addressed the disruptive macroeconomic impact of GLP-1 weight-loss medications on global nutrition trends and investment portfolios. The summit concluded with a captivating keynote lecture by renowned evolutionary biologist and author Dr. Liat Yakir, who explored the biology ofthe brain and behavioral differences between the sexes.

The fully plant-based culinary experience at the event further emphasized the foundation's core mission of promoting advanced, sustainable food solutions. MAF extended its deepest gratitude to Adv. Inbal Marciano of Shibolet & Co., and long-standing industry partners who make the ecosystem thrive, including Tnuva, Strauss Group, PeakBridge, Reinhold Cohn Group, Netter Center, and GaliLadiesTech.

Credit photos: Ruth Benziman

For media inquiries, exclusive interviews with MAF leadership, or profiles on the 2026 award recipients, please contact the media relations team.

About the Modern Agriculture Foundation (MAF): The Modern Agriculture Foundation is a leading non-profit organization and vital ecosystem enabler dedicated totransforming global food security. By accelerating the commercialization ofAgFoodTech solutions and alternative proteins, MAF fosters high-impact investments, drives corporate collaboration, and proudly leads the premier professional network for women executives and scientists in the sector.