4 years ago, Moran Aish was still managing the global operation at Jolt. As part of the position, she established the company’s learning campuses in London, New York and Israel. In those days, Victoria Sidalski worked at the Meet in Place company where she managed the complexes globally. Moran and Victoria met when they worked together on a collaboration between the two companies. This collaboration was interrupted by the corona virus, but this was only the beginning of the road for both of them – they decided to take their knowledge in managing and accompanying projects, leverage it to the worlds of real estate and establish Umbrellaup together.
The “umbrella” established by the two helps companies move offices and thus the entrepreneurs, especially in the high-tech worlds, can continue to focus on their work. The two characterize the need with the clients, manage the office search, build an escort system, manage and supervise the work of the suppliers in the field.
“The idea was born after each of us was involved in setting up offices and projects and understood the challenge facing the function that manages the move in the organization,” says Victoria. “Moving an office from point A to point B is a project that includes many tasks in a large number of fields and this requires extensive knowledge of infrastructure, construction, supplier management and more. Using the knowledge we have acquired, we characterize the needs and build a task plan.”
Two of them also have a brokerage license and therefore, if necessary, they provide a property search service to clients. “The main challenge is to find a property that is close to a ten-minute walk from the light rail route. The owners of the companies do not compromise on accessibility and proximity to the light rail that will operate in the center,” notes Moran. In the days of change in the high-tech world, the two point to a trend of expanding and upgrading offices, alongside a more limited trend of moving to small properties.
One of the challenges the company faces is taxes. “As a licensed dealer who doesn’t have many expenses and doesn’t currently have offices, our tax rates are high,” says Victoria. “Due to the fact that we are a ‘hybrid’ business and have no expenses, the amount of taxes collected from us is equivalent to a limited company. We are sorry that the state does not recognize or see small businesses as those that should be charged reduced taxes and thus help the growth process. The opposite is correct”.
The two work only from the center, and this has economic consequences, of course. “The price per square meter is significantly cheaper in the north or south than in the center. For example, a fully renovated and furnished property in the center costs about NIS 220 per square meter. In the northern areas, you can also get it for NIS 100 per square meter,” says Moran.
These days they are engaged in expanding the business and aim to develop globally. “Our dream is to open headquarters offices (HQ’s) in the world for Israeli companies, to fly and accompany the process for them globally, along with taking into account the organizational and extra-organizational culture in each country,” they say in conclusion.
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