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In times of upheaval, the difference between collapse and resilience lies in a company’s ability to adapt without losing sight of its core vision. That’s the key message from a recent conversation between Vered Raviv Schwarz, President and COO of Guesty, and Alon Dvir, CEO of the immersive retail startup MersivX, as part of the Growth+ initiative by Calcalist and Poalim Tech.
The COVID-19 pandemic delivered an existential threat to travel-tech companies. Guesty, which serves the short-term rental industry, was hit hard. But instead of panicking, Raviv Schwarz and her team chose a strategic, data-informed path forward—turning crisis into opportunity. Meanwhile, Dvir recounts a major launch crisis in Dubai that tested his team’s grit under pressure.
Their shared insights highlight a vital truth: success in the startup world is not about avoiding challenges, but about staying steady through them and evolving deliberately—not reactively.
Staying the Course: A Key Insights from the Growth+ Discussion
- Guesty’s Pandemic Challenge: With the travel industry on pause, Guesty faced potential zero revenue. A board member bluntly forecasted: “We are going to zero sales.”
- Scenario Planning: The team modeled three outcomes—doomsday, interim, and optimistic—and responded in real time with data-backed strategies.
- Turning Crisis into Growth: Guesty not only stayed afloat but raised capital and acquired two competitors, thanks to strategic focus and flexibility.
- Digital Nomad Pivot: They tapped into the rising trend of digital nomadism to repurpose the use of short-term rentals.
- Leadership Under Pressure: Raviv Schwarz emphasizes not overreacting—making small adjustments, not radical pivots, and protecting the company’s long-term vision.
- Vision From Day One: Planning big from the beginning is crucial. Raviv recalls Fiverr’s early belief in becoming a billion-dollar company—something Guesty now strives for.
- Alon Dvir’s Dubai Launch Crisis: A major launch floundered in real time due to product malfunctions. An emergency all-hands response salvaged the situation.
- Stress and Innovation: Dvir sees all startup activity as challenge-driven, not crisis-driven—a mindset that keeps energy and optimism alive.
- The Role of Vision: Even in adversity, discussions with mentors and peers focused on long-term growth and product-market fit.
- Support From Growth+: Initiatives like Growth+ aim to provide mentorship and tools to help startups stay resilient in today’s volatile business landscape.
- Poalim Tech’s Perspective: CEO Michal Kissos Hertzog highlights 2025’s duality—AI innovation versus geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
- Mental Health as a Success Metric: Balance, breaks, and emotional wellness are described as fundamental—not luxuries—for entrepreneurial success.
- Navigating Complexity: Entrepreneurs must adapt to rapid technological shifts while withstanding the pressure of external global dynamics.
- Resilience Culture: Companies that embed resilience into their DNA are better positioned to innovate and grow.
- Lessons for Founders: Avoid panicking, pivot gradually if necessary, always align decisions with long-term vision, and stay close to your customers and data.
What Undercode Say: Startup Survival Requires Strategic Patience and Mental Clarity
In analyzing the conversation between Vered Raviv Schwarz and Alon Dvir, several themes stand out that hold deep relevance for founders navigating the post-pandemic startup ecosystem.
1. Strategic Scenario Modeling Isnt Optional—Its Essential
Vered’s approach during the pandemic was a masterclass in crisis modeling. Preparing for three future outcomes allowed Guesty to respond with confidence and agility. Many startups today still lean into reactive decision-making; they pivot without understanding the long-tail impact of those choices. Guesty’s story makes it clear: survival hinges on layered forecasting and rational discipline.
2. The Vision Must Precede the Product
Both speakers emphasized the need to envision large outcomes from day one. This isn’t bravado—it’s infrastructure. Building as if you’re heading toward a billion-dollar outcome forces better decisions around scalability, hiring, capital allocation, and culture. This proactive vision-building is often skipped in favor of “just shipping.” That’s a mistake.
- Gradual Pivots Are the Most Powerful Form of Adaptation
A key insight from Vered: “don’t make a 180-degree shift overnight.” Too many startups treat feedback as whiplash and dramatically overhaul products or strategy with every downturn. What Guesty did—adjusting 10 degrees at a time—offers a sustainable path forward, reducing risk while preserving momentum. -
Founders Need Crisis Temperament as Much as Innovation
Alon’s Dubai moment perfectly captures the emotional gauntlet of startup life. Startups aren’t just about building products; they’re about enduring psychological volatility. His ability to remain composed during a high-stakes breakdown and mobilize a solution is a differentiator. Crisis management isn’t just about tech—it’s about temperament.
5. Data Must Be the Startup’s Compass
Weekly data reviews allowed Guesty to recognize trends earlier than most and move before the market caught up. This data-first mindset is often underappreciated in early-stage teams, where emotion or gut feeling still rule too often. Strategic clarity only emerges when intuition is tempered with quantifiable insight.
- There’s No Substitute for Peer Support and Mentorship
Programs like Growth+ are more than community initiatives—they’re stabilizers. Early-stage founders often isolate themselves, internalizing stress until it compromises their decision-making. Structured mentorship offers a real-time feedback loop that can save startups from ruin. -
Resilience Culture Will Define the Next Decade of Tech
Founders who integrate resilience into the cultural DNA of their teams—not just the business model—will outperform those who rely solely on innovation. In a world shaped by constant upheaval, adaptability is not a side benefit. It’s the product. -
Work-Life Balance Is a Business Strategy, Not a Luxury
Poalim Tech’s insight about personal balance being critical is a reminder that burnout isn’t just a health issue—it’s a threat to business viability. Founders who take care of themselves and their teams are better equipped to endure the long road of scaling.
9. Success Requires Both Speed and Stillness
While the startup world celebrates speed, sometimes the greatest advantage is found in stillness—being calm enough to see patterns, reflect on decisions, and make non-obvious moves under pressure. Both Vered and Alon embody this mindset.
10. The Ecosystem Must Evolve With the Times
2025 is a far cry from 2015. AI has reshaped possibilities, but it’s also introduced uncertainty. Economic fragility and geopolitical complexity demand that startups grow not just faster—but smarter. The Growth+ model of pairing founders with experienced operators could be the new blueprint.
Fact Checker Results:
- Guesty’s response to COVID-19 aligns with reported fundraising and acquisition activity in public records.
- Fiverr’s early ambition for billion-dollar valuation is corroborated by interviews with Micha Kaufman.
- Poalim Tech’s Growth+ initiative is actively supporting Israeli startups amid 2025’s geopolitical and AI-driven market challenges.
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