FinTech Junction 2026 Agenda

agenda

Wednesday, 8 July 2026 at Hilton Tel Aviv

produced by

since

2017

edition

10th Annual Summit

For nearly a decade, Lynx has been bringing together the tech, business, startup and enterprise ecosystems through industry-leading conferences, executive communities, curated meetings and innovation events.

agenda overview

Arrive early and make the most of your time at FinTech Junction.

The event meetings app opens on July 1 for registered attendees.

Book meetings in advance to get the full value of the conference.

Agenda is subject to change.

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MORNING EXPERIENCE

08:30 - 09:30Breakfast
Lynx FinTech Junction Breakfast Club
By Breakfast
Start the day with coffee & breakfast, curated networking and early conversations with founders, enterprise leaders, banks, investors and technology partners from across the ecosystem.

Explore the expo area and discover the technologies shaping the future of payments, AI, cybersecurity and digital commerce.

Arrive early. The biggest opportunities often happen before the first session starts.

Early 1 on 1 meetings will start here, pre-schedule your meetings in the event app (registered attendees only)

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Main Stage: FinTech Junction 2026 Grand Opening

09:30 - 09:50Lightning Talk
Lynx Startup Showcase
Moderators: Ben Pelled, Founder & CEO @ Lynx & Meytar Zehavi, Host, Creator & Community Builder
- Inon Ohana, Co-Founder & CEO @ Vara Security
  8200 alumnus, helping banks & credit unions reduce APP & ACH fraud
- Or Caspi, Founder & CEO @ Auteric Security
  8200 alumnus, building runtime security and Zero Trust controls for AI agents
- Dan Benger, CEO & Co-Founder @ Tego AI
  Serial founder with multiple exits, building access control platform for AI agents
The Lynx Startup Showcase features a handpicked group of startups selected to present to an audience of tech leaders, banks, insurance companies, investors and ecosystem partners.

Participants will gain visibility, exposure and valuable connections while attendees get an exclusive look at emerging technologies and high-growth companies shaping the future.

Join us to discover promising ventures, explore partnership opportunities and connect with the founders building tomorrow’s tech landscape.
09:50 - 10:15Opening Remarks
Fintech Is Everywhere: Welcome to FinTech Junction 2026
- Ben Pelled, Founder & CEO @ Lynx
- Meytar Zehavi, Host, Creator & Community Builder
- Ori Shilo, COO @ Next October
- Lynx, AI Co-Host @ Lynx
Fintech is no longer limited to banks, payment companies or financial institutions. It now powers everything from eCommerce and SaaS subscriptions to global payroll, embedded payments and AI-driven digital experiences.

In this opening session, we will officially open FinTech Junction 2026 and set the tone for the day: how financial infrastructure became the invisible operating system of the modern economy, and why every tech company is increasingly becoming a fintech company.

Ben will be joined by Meytar, who will MC the main stage, guide the audience through the agenda, introduce key sessions and speakers, and help create a sharp, energetic opening for the conference.
10:15 - 10:25Keynote
AI-First Starts Here: Turning Product Data Into Real-Time Intelligence
By Ofer Polivoda, Israel Country Manager @ Mixpanel
In an AI-first world, organizations can no longer afford to let product data sit behind dashboards, analysts and bottlenecks.

To move faster, we need a shared language for data, real-time visibility into user behavior and the ability for teams across product, marketing and growth to make smarter decisions independently.

In this keynote, Ofer Polivoda, GM of Mixpanel Israel and the Mediterranean region, will explore how companies can move from traditional BI to product intelligence, democratize access to data and prepare their organizations for the next era of AI-driven decision-making.
10:25 - 10:45Panel Discussion
The CIO Playbook: Reinventing Financial Services Through Technology
Moderator: Ohad Maimon, Founder & ex-CEO @ Hyp
- Iris Levanon, Deputy CIO @ First International Bank of Israel
- Miri Gelbort, CIO @ Clal Insurance
- Tal Langevich Avraham, Chief Digital Officer @ Migdal Group
- Amir Rosen, CAIO @ Bank Leumi
Financial institutions are navigating one of the most significant technology shifts in decades. AI agents, cloud transformation, evolving customer expectations, cybersecurity threats and growing infrastructure demands are forcing technology leaders to rethink how financial organizations are built and operated.

In this executive panel, CIOs from leading banks, insurance companies and financial institutions will share how they are balancing innovation, resilience and business growth while preparing for the AI era. Topics include AI adoption, cloud migration, cybersecurity, legacy modernization, infrastructure challenges, and how leading financial institutions work with startups as design partners, pilot customers and innovation partners.

As financial services continue to evolve, technology leaders are no longer just supporting the business. They are helping define its future.
10:45 - 11:10Panel Discussion
Founder & Investor Perspectives: Building and Surviving in the AI Era
Moderator: Ben Pelled, Founder & CEO @ Lynx
- Uri Gruenbaum‏, Co-Founder & CEO @ Tipranks
  AI-powered investment research platform acquired by Prytek in a $200M deal
- Ilan Atias, Co-founder & CTO @ Melio
  SMB payments platform acquired by Xero in a $3B deal
- Adi Levanon, Solo GP @ Selah Ventures
  Seed investor backing companies like Alloy, Unit and Tangos
AI is reshaping how companies are built, funded and scaled. From product development and data strategy to distribution, defensibility and long-term growth, founders and investors alike are being forced to rethink what it takes to build enduring companies in the AI era.

In this panel, leading founders and investors will share how they think about building resilient businesses in a fast-changing market. The discussion will explore where AI is creating real value, how great companies can stand out in an increasingly crowded landscape, what investors are looking for now, and what it takes not only to grow, but to survive.

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Coffee Break & 1:1 Meetings Kickoff

11:10 - 11:40Meetings
Coffee Break & 1:1 Meetings Kickoff

The most valuable part of FinTech Junction may be the people you meet.

Join founders, investors, banks, fintech leaders, enterprise executives and technology partners for a dedicated lunch networking and meetings experience.

Use the event app to schedule 1:1 meetings in advance, explore new business opportunities and turn conference conversations into real partnerships.

Pre-schedule your meetings before the event in the event app (registered attendees only).

Make sure your calendar is full when you arrive, to make the most of the day!

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AI Revolution Stage (Hall B)

11:40 - 11:45Opening Remarks
Welcome to AI Revolution Stage
By Amichai Sheqel, Founder @ AI MASTER Club
A brief welcome from Amichai Sheqel, who will MC the AI Revolution Stage and introduce the day’s sessions
11:45 - 11:55Keynote
Beyond ChatGPT and Claude: Why Agentic AI Changes Everything
By Eyal Kott, CTO @ PassportCard
The next generation of AI won’t just answer questions, it will take action. Discover how Agentic AI systems can plan, make decisions, and execute tasks across business workflows, unlocking new opportunities for automation, efficiency, and innovation.

As AI evolves from a tool into an active participant in business processes, organizations are beginning to rethink how work gets done. From autonomous customer support and software development to intelligent operations and decision-making, Agentic AI is poised to reshape industries in much the same way that cloud computing and mobile technology did in previous decades.

Join us for a look at the technologies, use cases, and strategic implications driving this transformation.
11:55 - 12:05Keynote
Predicting People: The Next Layer of Financial AI
By Amit Gal-Or‏, ‏Co-Founder & CEO @ 42ai
Financial organizations are moving beyond AI copilots and automation toward systems that can understand, predict and respond to human behavior.

From fraud prevention and credit decisions to customer journeys, personalization and risk management, behavioral AI is becoming a critical layer in how financial companies operate. This keynote will explore how predictive models can help organizations simulate decisions, anticipate customer actions and build smarter financial products.

As AI becomes more autonomous, the real competitive advantage may come from understanding people better, not replacing them.
12:05 - 12:25Panel Discussion
The AI-Native Race in Fintech & Commerce
Moderator: Kochavit Arnon, CEO @ KA
- Michael Mitrani, VP E-commerce & Marketing @ Super-Pharm
- Nissim Shniderman, VP AI @ PassportCard
- David Balsam, Co-Founder & CPO @ Adesco
AI is no longer a feature inside fintech products, it is becoming the foundation of the industry itself. Founders, enterprise leaders and investors discuss how AI is reshaping payments, lending, compliance, customer support and internal operations across the fintech ecosystem. We’ll explore which business models will survive, what infrastructure companies need to scale, and whether every fintech company must now become AI-native.

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Cybersecurity Stage (Hall A)

11:40 - 11:45Opening Remarks
Welcome to Cybersecurity Stage
By Yasmin Shahar, Head of Partnerships @ Zafran Security
A brief welcome from Yasmin Shahar, who will moderate the Cybersecurity Stage and introduce the day’s sessions
11:45 - 11:55Keynote
AI Changes Everything. Are We Ready?
By Shmulik Haber, CEO @ Internet Binat
Public AI platforms, private AI models, coding assistants, and autonomous AI agents are rapidly becoming part of everyday business operations. As organizations connect AI to corporate data, internal knowledge bases, applications, and decision-making processes, they are also creating entirely new categories of risk. Prompt injection, data leakage and guardrail bypass techniques are real challenges that many organizations are only beginning to understand.

The most successful organizations will approach AI Security from two directions simultaneously: Defense and Offense. Defense focuses on governance, visibility, and control. Offense focuses on actively challenging AI systems through adversarial testing, AI red teaming, and controlled attacks. This keynote explores why securing AI requires both mindsets, what organizations are learning from real-world AI deployments, and how leaders can embrace the benefits of AI without losing control of the risks that come with it.
11:55 - 12:20Panel Discussion
The Cybersecurity War Against AI Agents
Moderator: Dan Benger, CEO & Co-Founder @ Tego AI
- Zohar Cohen, CISO @ Migdal Group
- Shmulik Haber, CEO @ Internet Binat
- Hadas Bergman, GM Israel @ Zafran Security
- Ron Arbel, Co-Founder & CEO @ Aryon Security
Security teams are entering an entirely new battlefield where attackers can automate reconnaissance, phishing, malware generation and social engineering at unprecedented scale. This session brings together CISOs, cyber founders and enterprise leaders to discuss how organizations can defend themselves in the era of autonomous attacks. Topics include AI-driven SOCs, identity security, zero trust architecture and the growing role of intelligent defense systems.

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Payments & Finance Stage (Hall B)

12:30 - 12:35Opening Remarks
Welcome to Payments & Finance Stage
By Omri Peled, Founder & CEO @ Bllink
A brief welcome from the stage MC, who will moderate the Payments & Finance Stage and introduce the day’s sessions
12:35 - 12:45Keynote
Transforming Payments into a Growth Strategy
By Artyom Gurevich, Sales Manager @ Checkout.com
Move beyond the “if it works, don’t touch it” mentality. Payments should not be treated as a black box or a back-office function. They are a strategic lever for scale, conversion and global growth.

In this keynote, Artyom Gurevich will explore how leading merchants are re-engineering their payment stack to improve authorization rates, reduce friction, support cross-border expansion and turn payments into a powerful engine for revenue growth and customer acquisition.
12:45 - 13:05Panel Discussion
The $250 Trillion Opportunity: Reinventing Cross-Border Payments
Moderator: Meital Raviv, CEO & Strategic Leader
- Raphael Rubin, Enterprise Accounts @ Stripe
- Limor Liberman, Co-Founder & COO @ Unipaas
- Izhar Arieli, Regional Director @ Mastercard
- Moshe Kimhi, Founder & CEO @ Neema
Cross-border payments remain one of the largest and most inefficient markets in financial services. Despite decades of innovation, businesses and consumers still face high fees, slow settlement times and fragmented financial infrastructure.

In this panel, fintech founders, payment leaders and financial institutions will discuss how new technologies are transforming the movement of money across borders. Topics include real-time payments, embedded finance, global workforce payments, remittances, open banking and the growing impact of stablecoins on international money movement.

Join us to explore the trends, innovations and opportunities shaping the future of global payments.
13:05 - 13:15Keynote
The Hard Yes: Why the Future of Payments Is Won at the Decline
By Tom Vaknin, Co-Founder & Group CEO @ Pay.com
In the hardest transactions – cross-border payments, emerging markets, and regulated verticals – approval rates drop and most providers walk away.

In this keynote, we will explore how merchants can turn declines into growth through smarter orchestration, stronger acquiring control, and deep vertical expertise, and why the AI that truly moves money lives in the approval decision itself.
13:15 - 13:35Panel Discussion
Optimizing the Checkout: Turning Payments Into a Growth Engine
Moderator: Yarden Holzer, Account Manager @ Checkout.com
- Eyal Paz, Country Manager, Israel @ Mastercard
- Gabi Broitman, VP BD @ Pay.com
- Yuval Giveon, CTO & Co-Founder @ Neema
Payments are no longer just the final step in a transaction. They are a strategic lever for growth.

In this panel, payments leaders and fintech experts will discuss how merchants and platforms can optimize checkout flows, improve authorization rates, reduce friction, support local payment preferences and build payment infrastructure that scales across markets.

We will explore what modern merchants expect from payment partners, how checkout strategy affects business performance, and why the companies that treat payments as a growth function, not just a back-office necessity, will have a competitive advantage.

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Startup Ecosystem Stage (Hall A)

12:30 - 12:35Opening Remarks
Welcome to Startup Ecosystem Stage
By Idit Neuderfer, CEO @ Redhead Method
A brief welcome from Idit who will moderate the Startup Ecosystem Stage and introduce the day’s sessions
12:35 - 13:00Panel Discussion
Building the Next Global Tech Champions from Israel
Moderator: Liron Jean, Partner & CFO @ Profitian Finance
- Noam Inbar, General Partner, Viola Fintech @ Viola Fintech
- Lilach Danewitz, Director of Strategy & Partnerships @ NTT Innovation Lab Israel
- Ami Isakov, Head of Fintech & Innovation @ First International Bank of Israel
Israeli fintech has already proven it can create global infrastructure, payments, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity companies. The question now is how to build the next generation in a market shaped by AI, regulation, capital efficiency, and demanding global customers.

This conversation brings together investors and founders to discuss what it takes to scale from Israel today: where the opportunities are, what global buyers are really looking for, and which advantages Israeli companies can still turn into category leadership.
13:00 - 13:07Keynote
The Next Wave of Creative Innovation: From Mixed Reality to AI-Powered Experiences
By Alon Melchner, CEO @ Mixed.Place
Alon Melchner, serial entrepreneur and pioneer in mixed reality and immersive technologies, will share how AI, spatial computing, and creative technology are reshaping the way people experience brands, entertainment, and live events.

In this 7-minute talk, he’ll show what’s coming next and how companies can use these tools to create experiences people actually remember.
13:07 - 13:30Panel Discussion
The Human Infrastructure of Israeli Innovation: Community, Purpose and Resilience
Moderator: Tal Ben-Nissan Ziv, Managing Director @ 8200EISP
- Ester Zabar, Founder & CEO @ AQA Software Testing
- Ori Shilo, COO @ Next October
Behind every startup ecosystem there is a human infrastructure: communities, alumni networks, mentors, volunteers, founders and mission-driven organizations that help people connect, rebuild, support each other and create new opportunities.

This panel brings together representatives from Next October, AQA, the 8200 Alumni Association and additional ecosystem builders to discuss how community, service and social impact continue to shape Israeli entrepreneurship, especially in times of uncertainty.

The conversation will explore how technology talent, founder networks and purpose-led initiatives can strengthen both the startup ecosystem and Israeli society.

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Web3 & Digital Assets Stage (Hall B)

13:30 - 14:00Panel Discussion
Crypto & Web3 in 2026: From Speculation to Financial Infrastructure
Moderator: Nir Hirschmann Rub, CEO @ Crypto, Blockchain, Web 3.0 Forum
- Oded Salomy, Founder @ Paywise Network
- Ran Yosef, Fintech, Digital Assets & AI @ Arnon, Tadmor-Levy
- Keren Peer, Crypto & Blockchain Insurance Product Leader @ Howden
- Eyal Daskal, Founder & CEO @ CRYMBO
- Omer Paz, Head of Stablecoins @ Bits of Gold
Crypto and Web3 are entering a new phase: moving from hype and speculation toward real financial infrastructure, institutional adoption, regulated digital assets and practical use cases.

This panel will explore the key forces shaping the industry in 2026: stablecoins, tokenization, cybersecurity, AI, regulation, enterprise adoption and Israel’s role in the next wave of digital finance.

With Israel’s strength in cybersecurity, fintech infrastructure and AI-driven innovation, the conversation will look at how local founders and technology leaders can help define a more secure, intelligent and trusted digital-assets ecosystem.

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Risk, Regulation & Compliance Stage (Hall A)

13:30 - 14:00Panel Discussion
From Checklists to Intelligence: The New Era of Risk & Compliance
Moderator: Adi Levanon, Solo GP @ Selah Ventures
- Eyal Azoulay, Founder & CEO @ Tangos
- Meiran Galis, Founder & CEO @ Scytale
Compliance is moving beyond checklists. This panel explores how fintechs, banks and technology companies are using smarter systems to build trust, accelerate growth and detect risk, from security compliance and vendor readiness to fraud, AML and financial crime investigations.

We’ll discuss how AI and automation are changing the way teams manage compliance, investigate risk and turn complex data into actionable intelligence, while meeting the growing expectations of regulators, financial institutions and enterprise customers.

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Closing Lunch, Networking & 1:1 Meetings

14:00Lunch
Closing Lunch, Networking & 1:1 Meetings

End the day with a dedicated networking and meetings experience designed to turn conference conversations into real business opportunities.

Use the event app to pre-schedule (in the days leading up to the conference) 1:1 meetings with founders, investors, banks, fintech leaders, enterprise executives and technology partners.

Lunch access is reserved for invited guests and selected ticket holders. All attendees are welcome to continue networking and hold meetings during this time.

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VIP Sponsor & Speaker Event

14:00
VIP Sponsors & Speakers Happy Hour
By Beer & Networking
Invitee-only sponsors & speakers happy hour with cocktails, music, and great conversations.

Archives

Categories

agenda

produced by

since

edition

agenda overview

MORNING EXPERIENCE

Lynx FinTech Junction Breakfast Club

Main Stage: FinTech Junction 2026 Grand Opening

Lynx Startup Showcase

Fintech Is Everywhere: Welcome to FinTech Junction 2026

AI-First Starts Here: Turning Product Data Into Real-Time Intelligence

The CIO Playbook: Reinventing Financial Services Through Technology

Founder & Investor Perspectives: Building and Surviving in the AI Era

Coffee Break & 1:1 Meetings Kickoff

Coffee Break & 1:1 Meetings Kickoff

AI Revolution Stage (Hall B)

Welcome to AI Revolution Stage

Beyond ChatGPT and Claude: Why Agentic AI Changes Everything

Predicting People: The Next Layer of Financial AI

The AI-Native Race in Fintech & Commerce

Cybersecurity Stage (Hall A)

Welcome to Cybersecurity Stage

AI Changes Everything. Are We Ready?

The Cybersecurity War Against AI Agents

Payments & Finance Stage (Hall B)

Welcome to Payments & Finance Stage

Transforming Payments into a Growth Strategy

The $250 Trillion Opportunity: Reinventing Cross-Border Payments

The Hard Yes: Why the Future of Payments Is Won at the Decline

Optimizing the Checkout: Turning Payments Into a Growth Engine

Startup Ecosystem Stage (Hall A)

Welcome to Startup Ecosystem Stage

Building the Next Global Tech Champions from Israel

The Next Wave of Creative Innovation: From Mixed Reality to AI-Powered Experiences

The Human Infrastructure of Israeli Innovation: Community, Purpose and Resilience

Web3 & Digital Assets Stage (Hall B)

Crypto & Web3 in 2026: From Speculation to Financial Infrastructure

Risk, Regulation & Compliance Stage (Hall A)

From Checklists to Intelligence: The New Era of Risk & Compliance

Closing Lunch, Networking & 1:1 Meetings

Closing Lunch, Networking & 1:1 Meetings

VIP Sponsor & Speaker Event

VIP Sponsors & Speakers Happy Hour