Podcast Summary: What's Your Number? Episode: "Not A Pie In The Sky: Food Delivery Drones Are Real!" Release Date: July 2, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of "What's Your Number?" hosted by Yonatan Adiri and Michal Lev-Ram from Ark Media, listeners are taken on an insightful journey through the latest developments in the Israeli economy with a global perspective. The focus of this episode centers on the burgeoning field of food delivery drones, featuring an in-depth conversation with Yariv Bash, co-founder and CEO of Flytrex, an innovative Israeli drone delivery platform. Released on July 2, 2025, the episode delves into the technological advancements, regulatory challenges, and future prospects of drone-based deliveries, particularly highlighting Flytrex's recent service launch in partnership with DoorDash in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Numbers of the Week

The episode kicks off with Yonatan and Michal sharing their respective "numbers of the week," setting the stage for a data-driven discussion.

• Yonatan Adiri ([00:10]) reveals a remarkable statistic:

  "69.69% of the $6 billion invested in Q2 in Israel over the last 90 days in the tech ecosystem has been invested by foreign investors... A big vote of confidence."

  This figure underscores the resilience and attractiveness of Israel's tech sector, even amidst challenging times such as war.

• Michal Avram ([00:33]) presents a contrasting number:

  "My number is $570 million... the cost of damages from an Iranian missile strike to the Weizmann Institute."

  This highlights the significant economic impact of regional conflicts on Israel's research institutions.

Despite the grim outlook from Michal's perspective, Yonatan remains optimistic, emphasizing the positive investment trends and the potential for economic recovery.

Windex: Israeli Market Insights

Transitioning to the Windex, Yonatan provides an overview of Israeli-based or founded companies' performance over the week of June 23-28.

• Performance Metrics ([03:30]):

  • Windex saw a 3.3% increase, aligning closely with the S&P 500 but underperforming the NASDAQ by 1%.
  • 42 out of 51 Israeli companies were in the green, with notable performances from:
    • Mobileye: Witnessing a 20% rise, reinforcing its position in the autonomous driving sector ( [03:40] ).
    • Nova Semiconductor: Growing by 15% week-on-week, indicative of the strong Wall Street interest in Israeli AI and silicon-based technologies.

• Michal emphasizes ([04:20]) the anticipation surrounding upcoming earnings reports from major tech firms, which could influence future Windex performance.

• Yonatan ([04:42]) touches on geopolitical factors, particularly:

  "President's going to announce the next couple of weeks where that's going to land with China... S and P collapse by 12%, 13%... regain upon positive news on US China Dynamics."

  He highlights the potential volatility due to US-China relations and its ripple effects on the Israeli market.

• Lemonade.com ([05:29]), despite shedding 5%, remains a standout with 160% growth over the past twelve months, symbolizing robust AI market adoption.

Economic Impact of the War and Future Outlook

Michal and Yonatan delve into the economic repercussions of ongoing conflicts and the strategic discourse surrounding Israel's future.

• Michal ([05:38]) introduces the topic:

  "The cost of the war and also what comes next... different scenarios emerging."

• Yonatan ([05:49]) elaborates on shifting national sentiments and policy debates:

  • Two Major Camps:

    1. Economic Recovery Advocates:
       • Reduce defense spending to alleviate the burden on public-funded civil services.
       • Promote economic growth with the belief in sustaining additional debt.
    2. National Security Proponents:
       • Maintain or increase defense budgets anticipating future threats from Iran.
       • Ensure national security to prevent future conflicts.

  • Budget Concerns:

    "72% debt to GDP. Time to stop the party." ([06:40])

• Political Uncertainty:

  • The resolution of these debates is expected to hinge on upcoming elections.
  • Reverend Dr. Johnny Moore ([08:03])'s recent diplomatic engagement hints at potential shifts in Middle Eastern dynamics.

Sector Spotlight: Landa Nano’s Legal Struggles

Shifting focus to the tech sector's highs and lows, Yonatan discusses the recent challenges faced by Landa Nano, a pioneering Israeli printing technology company.

• Background ([09:44]):

  • Benny Landa, founder of Landa Nano, is a seminal figure in Israeli tech, known for revolutionizing digital printing and founding HP Indigo after selling his company.
  • Landa Nano aimed to innovate further with nanopigment technology for high-throughput, accurate industrial-scale printing.

• Current Status ([09:44]):

  • The company recently filed for court protection, casting a shadow over its ambitious projects despite $1.3 billion in investments over 15 years.

• Michal ([12:07]) questions the root causes, while Yonatan suggests:

  "Attempt was to create an ASML-like company... Israel isn't equipped to handle such heavy machinery... Failure could lead to new startups and talent, akin to Xerox labs birthing Silicon Valley companies." ([13:01])

• Reflection ([13:35]):

  • The failure serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of high-tech ventures but also hints at future innovations stemming from the setback.

Long Play: Interview with Yariv Bash of Flytrex

The heart of the episode is an engaging interview with Yariv Bash, CEO of Flytrex, discussing the reality and future of food delivery drones.

Introduction to Flytrex and Yariv Bash

• Flytrex’s Milestone ([02:45]):

  • Flytrex has partnered with DoorDash to launch drone delivery services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, marking a significant advancement in drone logistics.

• Yariv’s Legacy ([02:07] & [14:33]):

  • Known for leading the audacious Bereshit lunar module project, Yariv embodies the quintessential Israeli entrepreneurial spirit.
  • His personal connection to technological innovation spans over two decades, reflecting in Flytrex's resilience and growth.

Key Discussion Points

1. Safety and Reliability ([14:01 - 14:40]):

   • Yariv's Number: "77. When we're doing a delivery... 77 iterations of that hook to ensure package security." ([14:01])
   • Emphasis on robust safety mechanisms to prevent mishaps, humorously addressing concerns like pizzas falling on heads.

2. Journey of Flytrex ([15:42 - 16:37]):

   • Long-Term Vision:

     "This is going to be a marathon rather than a sprint." ([16:06])

   • Overcoming regulatory hurdles and maintaining investor confidence through perseverance.

3. Flytrex’s Niche and Technology ([17:36 - 19:07]):

   • Specialization: Focused on delivering hot and cold food efficiently to suburban backyards.
   • Technology Integration:
     • Collaborations with regulators like the FAA to ensure safe drone operations.
     • Airspace Management: Partnered with Project Wing by Alphabet to share airspace seamlessly with other autonomous systems.

4. Handling Weather Challenges ([20:46 - 21:17]):

   • Operational Resilience:

     "Our next version of the system will be flying in heavy rains and medium winds... already at 90% operational time." ([20:46])

5. Business Development and Partnerships ([21:59 - 24:57]):

   • Strategic Partnerships: Securing collaborations with over 20 restaurant chains and the significant DoorDash partnership.
   • Market Strategy:

     "Deliver that in 10 minutes to your backyard... bigger than the food delivery market." ([29:26])

6. Future Vision ([28:37 - 30:26]):

   • Decentralized Amazon Concept:

     "Creating the value of Amazon, but through a decentralized service enabled by drones." ([29:52])

   • Plans to expand beyond Texas to metropolitan hubs like Palo Alto.

Notable Quotes

• Yariv Bash ([14:01]):

  "77 iterations of that hook to make sure that everything stays securely while we're flying in the air above people's heads."

• Michal Avram ([26:50]):

  "It sounds like a beginning of a joke, right? Like a reverend, a rabbi, you know, but it's not. It's real life."

• Yonatan Adiri ([28:12]):

  "I have a very simple question... How do you ensure that pizzas don't start falling on people's heads?"

• Yariv Bash ([29:43]):

  "If you need something from the long tail, that's going to arrive in a truck from a distribution center or a warehouse. But for the head of what people are ordering for the recurring products, they're just a few miles from your house. Why wait for next day delivery?"

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the episode winds down, Yonatan and Michal reflect on the insights shared by Yariv and touch upon the broader implications of drone technology in both civilian and defense sectors.

• Words of the Week ([31:04]):

  • Josh Wolfe, investor with Lux Capital, commended Palmer Lucky of Anduril:

    "Future generations will know his name and his achievements, while petty foes shall fade. Palmer will be 100% remembered because he 100% never forgets."

  • Yonatan ([31:34]) echoes this sentiment, emphasizing Lux Capital's foresight in investing in Israeli defense tech and predicting Anduril's lasting impact on the defense landscape.

• Final Thoughts ([32:02 - 32:30]):

  • Encouragement for listeners to engage with the podcast through subscriptions and feedback.
  • A nod to Midnight Generation, the podcast's theme music artist, highlighting their upcoming performance.

Key Takeaways

• Investment Confidence: A substantial majority of recent tech investments in Israel are driven by foreign investors, signaling strong international confidence in the Israeli tech ecosystem.

• Economic Resilience Amid Conflict: Despite significant damages from missile strikes, Israel's tech sector continues to thrive, balancing economic recovery with national security concerns.

• Innovation and Setbacks: The story of Landa Nano illustrates the volatile nature of high-tech ventures but also underscores the potential for future innovations born from such challenges.

• Future of Drone Deliveries: Flytrex's partnership with DoorDash represents a pivotal moment in the commercialization of drone technology, showcasing both the technological prowess and the strategic business acumen required to navigate regulatory landscapes and market demands.

• Visionary Leadership: Entrepreneurs like Yariv Bash exemplify the enduring spirit of Israeli innovation, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in tech-driven industries.

For those interested in the intersection of technology, economics, and global trends, this episode offers a comprehensive exploration of how Israeli innovation continues to shape and respond to both local and international challenges.