Jerusalem Mayor Visits Bizmax

Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat visited Bizmax, the first haredi hub for entrepreneurs. The visit comes as part of the Jerusalem Municipality’s commitment to developing haredi entrepreneurship in the city.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch, and senior municipal officials were given a tour by Bizmax Community Manager Itzik Crombie, where they got to see the open workstations, private offices and conference rooms equipped with all the amenities, and cafeteria housed in the 6,000 sq. ft. premises on HaZvi St. Aside from the brilliantly designed workspace commons, visitors were impressed by the array of services Bizmax has to offer haredi entrepreneurs.

Bizmax is one of several initiatives of Achim Global to promote the haredi economy, and was established jointly by Achim Global, the Kemach Foundation and the Jerusalem Development Authority. Over seventy freelancers, entrepreneurs and small business owners have joined Bizmax since it opened last year, benefiting from the opportunity to grow their businesses while leveraging the synergistic, strictly haredi networking environment.

Bizmax offers comprehensive services for the up-and-coming entrepreneur, including business consulting, workshops, targeted courses, and assistance with financing. Entrepreneurs are guided throughout the process of formulating a business plan and securing a bank loan and/or a loan from Achim Global’s loan fund, established by visionary philanthropist and Achim president Marc Schimmel, or other angel investors. In addition to giving loans, Achim Global functions as a guarantor to the bank, securing the best terms. It also leverages state-sponsored loans.

Rabbi Motti Eichler, Founder and Chairman of Achim Global, stated that plans are underway to establish more haredi workspace commons like Bizmax, to meet the growing demand. The idea is not just to kick-start businesses but to expand to the global business sector. To this end, Achim Global is in the final stages of developing J-Link – a culturally sensitive, intuitive business networking platform that enables haredi entrepreneurs and freelancers to create business contacts around the world and capitalize on their connections.

Eichler updated the Mayor regarding the recent visit of Adam Neumann, Co-founder and CEO of WeWork – the largest communal workspace network in the world. Neumann was duly impressed with Bizmax, and took the opportunity to share some tips with Bizmax students in the midst of an e-trading course.

Following the tour Bizmax directors and municipal officials discussed other avenues for assisting haredi entrepreneurs taking their first steps in the business world. “I see haredi entrepreneurism in Jerusalem as a key economic growth engine for the capital, and I will do everything to continue to support this wonderful work,” the Mayor said.