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SmartUp Foundations

Build A Company You Actually Own

Every time you raise money, you give away a piece of your company. Learn to build one that makes money early and grows fast on a modest investment. In a profitable company you are in control.

*Admission is subject to review

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Date and Location

Meeting Investors

What will I gain from the program?

Date and Location

Session 1: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 2: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 3: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 4: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 5: Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 6: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00

At SmartUp's offices: HaPnina St. 2, 1st Floor, Ra’anana.

Meeting Investors

An hour before each session, we are hosting Angels Roundtables where investors will schedule meetings with selected founders.

What will I gain from the program?

You'll leave knowing how to build a company that makes money early. Meaning you won't have to keep raising money and giving away pieces of your company just to survive.

Over six sessions, you'll learn how to find what customers will actually pay for, how to win a small market before going after a big one, and how to choose a business model that grows fast without needing a lot of money. You'll also learn how to get your name out there before you have a product, and why so many startups fail, so you can avoid the same mistakes.

Beyond the lessons, you'll meet investors and other founders each session. Those are connections you keep after the course ends. You'll also get a certificate when you finish, and the option to apply for our advanced course.

In short, you come in with an idea or an early company, and you leave with a clear plan to turn it into a profitable business that you own and control.

Date and Location

Session 1: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 2: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 3: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 4: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 5: Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00
Session 6: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026 - 14:30 – 17:00

At SmartUp's offices: HaPnina St. 2, 1st Floor, Ra’anana.

Meeting Investors

An hour before each session, we are hosting Angels Roundtables where investors will schedule meetings with selected founders.

What will I gain from the program?

You'll leave knowing how to build a company that makes money early. Meaning you won't have to keep raising money and giving away pieces of your company just to survive.

Over six sessions, you'll learn how to find what customers will actually pay for, how to win a small market before going after a big one, and how to choose a business model that grows fast without needing a lot of money. You'll also learn how to get your name out there before you have a product, and why so many startups fail, so you can avoid the same mistakes.

Beyond the lessons, you'll meet investors and other founders each session. Those are connections you keep after the course ends. You'll also get a certificate when you finish, and the option to apply for our advanced course.

In short, you come in with an idea or an early company, and you leave with a clear plan to turn it into a profitable business that you own and control.

Syllabus

Oct. 11, 2026 - Nov. 15, 2026
Sundays, 14:30-17:00
Oct. 11, 2026 - Nov. 15, 2026
Sundays, 14:30-17:00

Why So Many Startups Fail

Understanding that can help you avoid their mistakes.

Profitability First

How to build a company that pays for itself, not one that depends on the next financing round.

Branding First

How to make your name known before you even have something to sell.

Jobs to be Done

Learn how to uncover the real motivations behind customer decisions by identifying the "jobs" they hire your product to do, so you can design solutions that truly fit their needs.

Start Narrow

How to conquer a small market first, before you penetrate larger ones.

Innovative Business Models

A key to fast growth and profitability.
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Program Leader

"I designed the Foundations Course to teach how to build profitable, fast-growing companies with modest investment—distilling decades of experience into practical lessons."
Yonatan Stern
Founder & CEO
More About Yonatan Stern

Program Team

Ayala Turgeman

Co-Founder & CFO

Daniel Itzhaki

Software Developer

Matias Brenman

Marketing Manager

FAQs

Do I get a certificate after completing the course?

Yes. Participants who complete the Foundations Course receive a SmartUp Certificate of Completion, recognizing their mastery of the methodology for building profitable, fast-growing companies. The certificate can be shared with investors, partners, or on LinkedIn to showcase your achievement.

To be eligible, participants must have at least 80% attendance and active participation throughout the course.

What is the Foundations Course?

The Foundations Course is the first stage of our accelerator program, focused on teaching entrepreneurs how to build profitable, fast-growing companies on a modest investment. It covers branding, sales, product, pricing, team building, and more.

Who can join?

The course is free, but it's not open to everyone. We carefully select participants to ensure the program is the right fit. Our goal is to support those who can benefit most from this knowledge and grow significantly with the accelerator behind them. By reviewing applications, we make sure every seat goes to someone who is ready to make the most of the opportunity.

What topics are covered?

Branding, business models, pricing, Jobs to Be Done, growth engines, sales, hiring, financial models, scaling, and more.

What will I gain?

The knowledge and methodology to build a successful company, avoid common mistakes, and increase your chances of success.

You'll also receive a Certificate of Completion, a recognition of your achievement that can be shared with investors, partners, and on LinkedIn.

And you'll join a community of entrepreneurs, gaining access to peers who share your challenges and ambitions, and building valuable connections for the journey ahead.

Does SmartUp offer other programs?

Yes. As part of our accelerator, we also offer Workshops (small-group deep dives) and a selective Residency Program, where SmartUp partners with you as co-founders for the long term. Together with the Foundations Course, these create a complete path for entrepreneurs who are ready to learn, grow, and build.
View our program certificate and read our terms and conditions
*Admission is subject to review

SmartUp Networking Hours

The SmartUp offices will open two hours before and after every meeting, giving participants direct access to meeting rooms and workspaces.

This time is designed to help founders and investors connect, explore opportunities, and collaborate. Investors can discover new companies. Founders can get feedback and build relationships that matter.

After the first set of sessions, a curated list of registered investors and a separate list of participating founders and their startups will be shared, helping you identify the right people to connect with and why.

The SmartUp Foundations Course is about more than learning the principles. It's a practical environment for building trusted connections and generating real business outcomes.

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