Hey there. We're the people behind Upstart.
We use our knowledge of, and interaction with, the young adult demographic to help create positive change on US college campuses, in the community and beyond.
We offer marketing analysis, strategic recommendations, full-service implementation and ongoing project management of initiatives and campaigns to businesses and organizations both small and large.
Eric Esses (pictured at left) is co-founder and CEO of Upstart Ideas Ltd. He is originally from Houston, Texas and studied at the University of Texas at Austin. After working for a year in Boston and three years in New York City, Eric moved to Israel and settled in Jerusalem. He spent his first few years directing a 10-month leadership program for American college graduates before earning an MBA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and transitioning into the world of high tech. In the early 2000's, when the "dot-com" bubble burst and Israel suffered under relentless terror attacks, Eric co-founded Upstart Ideas, a private consulting business. Upstart Ideas provided trip organizers of the nascent Birthright Israel initiative with comprehensive marketing services that helped Birthright Israel survive its first tenuous years and grow exponentially through the 2000s. Upstart Ideas remains a key player in the world of immersive Israel experiences, manages a nation-wide Israel initiative of Hillel International called IACT, and owns and operates a US-based ecommerce business. Contact Eric at eric@upstartideas.com.
Michael Eglash (pictured at right) is co-founder and President of Upstart Ideas Ltd. Michael was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and immigrated to Israel in 1993. Michael earned a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to co-founding Upstart Ideas in 2001, Michael served as Senior Sales Account Manager for Adero Internet Infrastructure and was responsible for creating new business relationships in Europe and Israel as well as managing existing accounts for this Boston-based corporation. Michael also served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Milwaukee based Eclipse Web, handling marketing and sales for web design and development company. Prior to these experience Michael also led Jerusalem-based educational organizations including Hadassah's young adult division in Israel and a leadership initiative focused on training North American students in Israel to promote Israeli academic and study abroad programs. Contact Michael at meglash@upstartideas.com.