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SmartUp Academy

SmartUp Academy is an entrepreneurship academy that helps founders build successful, profitable companies with a clear methodology and practical tools. Founded by serial entrepreneur Yonatan Stern, SmartUp supports entrepreneurs through courses, workshops, and hands-on guidance based on more than three decades of real company-building experience.

*Admission is subject to review

yonatan stern tedx

SmartUp Foundations Course

The Foundations course is Phase 1 of our program, designed to provide entrepreneurs with the essential tools to build successful companies.

This course is taught by Yonatan Stern
October 11, 2026
Sundays , 14:30 - 17:00
Hapnina st. 2 Ra'anana
For more info and application
  • Smartup October Course

    SmartUp New Course

    The FREE SmartUp Foundations Course opens on October 11, 2026.

    The course includes 6 lectures, held once a week on Sundays from 14:30-17:00, covering striving for profitability, branding first, lean business models, pricing, Jobs to Be Done, growth engines, enablers and innovation, and sales.

    The course is in-person and will take place at our offices in Ra’anana.
    Read more
  • Screenshot 2025-12-11 at 13.26.53

    Welcome Qwan

    A warm welcome to Qwan and its founders, Shmulik Boaz and Roy Shonshol, as they join our residency program.
    A great journey lies ahead! We are excited to be a part of it!
    Read more
  • ratingQ_news

    Welcome RatingIQ

    Welcome Omri Azulay and RatingIQ to our residency program.
    RatingIQ helps hotel chains turn guest reviews into revenue - identifying the patterns behind guest experience, the strengths worth scaling, and the issues that need clear ownership, prioritization, and action, so teams can act quickly and improve performance.
    From Reviews to Revenue is not just the tagline. It is the job.
    We’re excited to welcome Omri as he builds a rating-performance system that not only explains what guests are saying but also helps hotels turn it into measurable performance.
    Read more
  • puro systems news

    Welcome PURO Systems Ltd

    A warm welcome to Omri Farbstein and PURO Systems Ltd to our residency program.
    PURO is building smart purification solutions that combine technology, reliability, and real-world operational value.
    We’re excited to support Omri as he develops a cleaner and smarter approach to purification.
    Read more

The SmartUp Process

Foundations Course

Learn the principles of SmartUp

A face-to-face program led by Yonatan Stern, founder of ZoomInfo, that teaches the core principles of building profitable and thriving companies.

Workshop

Refine your strategy

A hands-on program where founders work directly with Yonatan Stern and the SmartUp team to refine their strategy, improve their business model, and implement practical methods to build a strong and thriving company.

Residency

Grow your venture with expert guidance

A program for founders who work closely with the SmartUp team to refine their growth strategy, receive ongoing mentorship, and prepare their company for expansion and investment.

SmartUp Academy Companies

"Building a successful company is a career that requires mastery – just like any other profession. Learning how to do the job is the first step, but true mastery comes from years of practice and experience."
Yonatan Stern
Founder and Teacher
Our programs encourage participants to think differently about building a company, from product development and marketing to sales and operations.

  • Accelerator Stage 1 - Foundations Course

    Learn the principles and steps to building and running a successful company with little investment. This course will change the way you think about building a company and help you avoid big mistakes.

    Open to entrepreneurs at all stages.
    Read More

  • Accelerator Stage 2 - Companies Workshop

    Lead focused discussions with other company executives on implementing SmartUp principles. Learn from real-world situations and receive guidance in dealing with your ongoing challenges.

    Designed for executives in established companies.
    Read More

  • Accelerator Stage 3 - Residency Program

    Join us to grow your company, or learn by joining one of our resident companies.

    Open to entrepreneurs at all stages.
    Read More

  • Angels Circle

    Learn how to lead your portfolio companies to profitability, increase their chances of success, and retain more equity.

    For investors only.
    Read More

How are we different?

We challenge conventional wisdom and achieve extraordinary results.

Should you target a $5 billion market?

No.

Venture capitalists need to recoup their investment within a few years, so they push you to target huge markets and grow as quickly as possible.

But if your goal is profitability, you’re better off targeting a narrower, more focused market that you can reach with precise, compelling messaging and lower your acquisition cost in the process. You can be profitable with sales in the $3-5 million range, which requires a market size of $100 million or less. That doesn’t mean you stop there. Dominating a small market is often a gateway to many other related markets.

Do you need to be first to dominate the market?

No.

There are countless examples of products that were first to market but never made it, only to be overtaken by imitators.

A great product that no one understands, or no one wants to hear about, simply won’t sell. Being first comes with its own burden. You have to create the market and educate your audience entirely on your own.

If you’re going to be first to market, make sure you already have the market’s attention. The most effective and cost-effective way to do this is by building a strong brand, which takes time and should be a priority from day one.

Do you need groundbreaking technology?

No.

Following the same logic as being first to market, the most common mistake entrepreneurs make is believing that their product is so amazing that it will sell itself. If no one knows about your product, no one will buy it. It’s your job to set the stage in advance. The cheapest and most effective way to do this is by building a strong brand.

Do you need to grow fast to dominate the market?

No.

No matter how fast you grow, if no one wants to buy your product, you won’t master anything.

Rapid growth early on is actually a burden. It drains your resources and distracts you from the most important task of any company, which is finding a repeatable process for acquiring paying customers.
"״הגענו ליונתן כחברה רווחית שגדלה יפה בעיקר מהמלצות מפה לאוזן. בעזרת יונתן פיתחנו רעיון שיווקי שחושף את טיקצ'ק בבת אחת לקהלים מאוד מגוונים ״ותוך זמן מאוד קצר התחלנו לעבוד עם לקוחות חדשים שקודם לא שמעו עלינו כלל."
אשי הורוביץ
מנכ"ל ומייסד
"״הגענו ליונתן עם מוצר בשלבי פיתוח אחרונים לאחר שעבדנו עליו מספר שנים. יונתן עזר לנו לשנות את מיצוב החברה ממכירת מוצרים למכירת שרותים ברמה גבוהה מה שאיפשר לנו להגיע לשיתוף פעולה אסטרטגי עם החברה המובילה בתחום. בנוסף, שינוי המיצוב פישט את המוצר כך שיכולנו להביא הכנסות ״הרבה יותר מהר"
אייל וולץ
President & Co-Founder
"הקמתי את אופסטר עם יונתן כשותף מייסד כאשר אני הובלתי את פיתוח המוצר ויונתן הנחה את אסטרטגיית השווק והמכירות. הרעיון המרכזי היה לבנות "זנב ארוך" של תוכן טכני על איתור תקלות ושיפור ביצועים במערכות ElasticSearch ו OpenSearch. בניית התוכן נעשתה בצורה מתוחכמת ובעלות מאוד נמוכה וכיום מגיעים לאתר מאות אלפי מהנדסים מדי חודש, ואופסטר נחשבת לחברה המובילה בעולם בתחומים אלו "
זיו סגל
מנכ"ל ומייסד

FAQs

What is SmartUp Academy?

SmartUp Academy is a school for entrepreneurs. We teach the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to build fast-growing, successful, and profitable companies through courses, workshops, and an internship program.

Who is SmartUp Academy suitable for?

SmartUp Academy welcomes:
1. Founders who are working full-time on their idea
2. Potential entrepreneurs who are currently employed elsewhere
3. Existing companies without venture capital funding
4. Curious individuals who want to learn the SmartUp method
5. Investors interested in backing companies that follow the SmartUp model

Can I apply even if I don't have a company or idea?

Yes! Whether you want to be an entrepreneur but are still working, have business or technology experience, have an idea but don’t know where to start, or don’t have an idea yet and want to be associated with other founders, there’s a place for you here. Visit our programs page or contact us to find the right fit.

Want To Learn More?

Can I apply even if I don't have a company or idea?