Ed Frank

Ed Frank is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and business leader who founded and currently serves as the CEO of Axis Innovation, a Tel Aviv-based open innovation consultancy.13 Here's a comprehensive overview of Ed Frank's background and career:

Professional Experience

Ed Frank has extensive experience in the technology, telecom, and media sectors, focusing on strategic and operational issues as a corporate investor, consultant, and entrepreneur.1 His career highlights include:

• Founder and CEO of Axis Innovation, which he established to connect the right people and bring great ideas to life13
• CEO of IDT Ventures, a division of IDT Corporation (NYSE), where he invested in companies that led to high-profile exits, including Hopstop (acquired by Apple) and LateNiteLabs (acquired by Macmillan)1
• Co-founder of Bootcamp Ventures, which evolved from the IDT Startup Bootcamp he created to connect early-stage startups with co-investors1

Education

Ed Frank holds two degrees from Columbia University:

• MBA in Marketing from Columbia Business School
• BS in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia Engineering

Expertise and Focus

Ed's work at Axis Innovation involves:

• Providing open innovation consultancy to multinational corporations
• Focusing on bringing cutting-edge technologies to customers to create growth, solve problems, or invest3
• Managing international technology partnerships, overseeing M&A initiatives, and guiding strategic investments

International Experience

Although originally from the United States, Ed moved to Israel in 1990 and has been based there for over 30 years.23 This international background gives him a unique perspective in connecting global tech ecosystems.

Mentorship and Community Involvement

Ed is actively involved in mentoring startups and dedicates significant time to this endeavor.1 He has also served as a business mentor to high school students in the Young Entrepreneurs competition.4

Recent Activities

As of October 2024, Ed continues to lead Axis Innovation and recently concluded the 11th annual Axis Tel Aviv event, which focused on Israeli startups and global innovation.5

Ed Frank's diverse experience in venture capital, technology incubation, and international business makes him a prominent figure in the Israeli and global startup ecosystems.