Private Equity Hub: Herzliya’s Leading Firms

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Herzliya has emerged as a premier hub for private equity firms, attracting top-tier investors like Viola Group, Israel Growth Partners, and Vintage Investment Partners. These firms leverage the city’s strategic location and robust tech ecosystem to drive innovative investments across various sectors, from cybersecurity to fintech. By establishing their headquarters in Herzliya, these firms tap into Israel’s entrepreneurial talent and global connectivity. Discover more about this dynamic investment landscape and join our thriving community at alexejpikovsky.com/community.

Viola Group

Investment Style: Viola Group focuses on early-stage, growth, and venture investments, primarily targeting technology-driven companies in sectors such as fintech, SaaS, enterprise software, and cybersecurity. They are known for their hands-on approach, providing strategic guidance and operational support to accelerate growth and enhance value creation.

Portfolio Companies: Their portfolio includes companies like Pagaya (AI-driven asset management), Redis Labs (in-memory data structure store), SimilarWeb (web analytics), Lightricks (photo and video editing apps), and Outbrain (content discovery platform).

Founding Date: 2000

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 35

Assets Under Management: Approximately over $5 billion

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Shlomo Dovrat, Co-Founder & General Partner: Dovrat is instrumental in developing Viola’s strategic direction and investment philosophy, leveraging his extensive experience in technology and entrepreneurship.
  • Harel Beit-On, Co-Founder & General Partner: Beit-On contributes to Viola’s focus on value creation and operational improvements across portfolio companies.
  • Avi Zeevi, Co-Founder & General Partner: Zeevi plays a key role in shaping Viola’s fintech and cybersecurity investment strategies.

Recent Exits:

  • IronSource’s merger with Unity Software, enhancing its position in the digital advertising and gaming sectors.
  • Outbrain’s IPO, which expanded their global reach in content discovery and native advertising.

Recent Investments:

  • Investment in Capitolis, a fintech company optimizing the balance sheet management of financial institutions.
  • Funding round for Redis Labs, supporting its expansion in the database management and cloud data storage sectors.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): Hertzliya Pituach, 4 Hachoshlim St.
  • Additional Offices: New York, Palo Alto

Website: www.viola-group.com

Quote: “Viola’s strength lies in our deep sector expertise and ability to provide operational support to our portfolio companies, helping them scale globally.” – Shlomo Dovrat, Co-Founder & General Partner

Israel Growth Partners (IGP)

Investment Style: IGP specializes in growth-stage technology investments, targeting Israeli-related technology companies with proven market success and strong growth potential. Their strategy involves partnering with management to drive international expansion and operational efficiencies.

Portfolio Companies: IGP’s portfolio includes companies like Cyberbit (cybersecurity training platform), Applitools (visual testing and monitoring), GigaSpaces (insightedge platform), and Panaya (software change intelligence).

Founding Date: 2014

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 10

Assets Under Management: Approximately $700 million

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Haim Shani, Co-Founder & General Partner: Shani’s leadership in strategic growth planning and scalability for technology companies is a key driver of IGP’s success.
  • Moshe Lichtman, Co-Founder & General Partner: Lichtman focuses on enhancing product innovation and market expansion for portfolio companies.

Recent Exits:

  • Panaya’s acquisition by Infosys, which integrated their software change intelligence into Infosys’ IT services.

Recent Investments:

  • Investment in Anagog, a company utilizing AI to analyze consumer behavior for better mobile application experiences.
  • Funding for Applitools to support its initiatives in visual testing automation.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): 6 HaTnufa St, Herzliya

Website: www.igpcapital.com

Quote: “Our focus is on propelling Israeli technology companies to global leadership through strategic partnerships and operational enhancement.” – Haim Shani, Co-Founder & General Partner

Vintage Investment Partners

Investment Style: Vintage Investment Partners focuses on venture capital, secondary investments, and growth equity. They invest in technology companies with scalable business models, offering both direct investments and fund-of-funds solutions.

Portfolio Companies: Their portfolio includes companies like AppsFlyer (mobile attribution and marketing analytics), Riskified (e-commerce fraud prevention solutions), and Fiverr (freelance services marketplace).

Founding Date: 2002

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 25

Assets Under Management: Approximately $3.6 billion

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Alan Feld, Founder & Managing Partner: Feld is known for his expertise in secondary investments and strategic portfolio management.
  • Asaf Horesh, General Partner: Horesh specializes in managing growth equity and venture capital investments.

Recent Exits:

  • Fiverr’s IPO, marking a major milestone in the freelance market space.

Recent Investments:

  • Investment in AppsFlyer to expand its mobile marketing analytics capabilities.
  • Funding round for Riskified, supporting its mission to mitigate e-commerce fraud.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): 4 HaNehoshet St, Herzliya
  • Additional Offices: New York, Toronto

Website: www.vintage-ip.com

Quote: “We leverage our extensive network and experience to provide unparalleled access to growth opportunities in the tech sector.” – Alan Feld, Founder & Managing Partner

FIMI Opportunity Funds

Investment Style: FIMI Opportunity Funds is a private equity firm that focuses on buyouts and turnaround investments in middle-market Israeli companies across various sectors, including industrial, consumer, and technology.

Portfolio Companies: Their portfolio includes companies like Hadera Paper (paper and packaging products), TAT Technologies (aerospace and defense products), and Ormat Technologies (geothermal energy solutions).

Founding Date: 1996

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 25

Assets Under Management: Approximately over $2 billion

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Yehoshua (Shuki) Gleitman, Managing Partner: Gleitman is instrumental in executing FIMI’s investment strategy, focusing on operational improvements and growth acceleration.
  • Gillon Beck, Senior Partner: Beck’s expertise includes value creation through strategic acquisitions and operational enhancements.

Recent Exits:

  • Ormat Technologies’ sale of its interest in certain geothermal power plants, optimizing their portfolio.

Recent Investments:

  • Acquisition of Guotai Huarong, enhancing FIMI’s industrial footprint.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): 8 Hamenofim St, Herzliya

Website: www.fimi.co.il

Quote: “Our deep industry expertise and hands-on approach enable us to drive substantial growth and value creation in our portfolio companies.” – Yehoshua (Shuki) Gleitman, Managing Partner

Futuristic cityscape at sunset with a serene waterfront and vibrant color palette.

Fortissimo Capital

Investment Style: Fortissimo Capital specializes in buyouts and growth capital investments in mid-sized Israeli-related companies. They focus on operational improvements and strategic growth to enhance value.

Portfolio Companies: Their portfolio includes Kornit Digital (digital textile printing solutions), SodaStream (consumer products), and Dip-Tech (digital glass printing technologies).

Founding Date: 2004

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 15

Assets Under Management: Approximately $1.6 billion

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Yuval Cohen, Founder & Managing Partner: Cohen is pivotal in shaping Fortissimo’s investment strategy, focusing on growth acceleration and operational excellence.
  • Ran Simon, Partner: Simon’s role includes driving strategic acquisitions and portfolio optimization.

Recent Exits:

  • Kornit Digital’s listing on NASDAQ, marking a significant achievement in the digital printing industry.

Recent Investments:

  • Investment in Aitech, a provider of rugged computing systems for defense and aerospace applications.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): 12 Abba Eban Blvd, Herzliya

Website: www.ffcapital.com

Quote: “We pride ourselves on our operational expertise and ability to transform promising companies into market leaders.” – Yuval Cohen, Founder & Managing Partner

TLV Partners

Investment Style: TLV Partners focuses on early-stage investments in Israeli technology startups, emphasizing companies in SaaS, enterprise software, and artificial intelligence. They aim to partner with entrepreneurs at crucial growth stages, offering strategic guidance and industry connections.

Portfolio Companies: TLV Partners’ portfolio includes companies such as Next Insurance (digital insurance for small businesses), Aqua Security (container security), and Index (AI-driven analytics platform).

Founding Date: 2015

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 10

Assets Under Management: Approximately $700 million

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Eran Bielski, General Partner: Bielski specializes in identifying and nurturing early-stage technology investments with high growth potential.
  • Rona Segev, Founding Partner: Segev leads TLV Partners’ investment strategies, focusing on disruptive technologies and market expansion.

Recent Exits:

  • Next Insurance’s acquisition by Credit Karma, broadening its reach in the insurtech industry.

Recent Investments:

  • Investment in Aqua Security to enhance its capabilities in container security solutions.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): 3 Arie Shenkar St, Herzliya

Website: www.tlv.partners

Quote: “Our mission is to empower ambitious entrepreneurs with the resources and expertise needed to disrupt and lead their industries.” – Eran Bielski, General Partner

83North

Investment Style: 83North is a venture capital firm that invests in early to growth-stage companies in technology sectors including software, fintech, mobile, and e-commerce. They focus on teams and technologies with the potential to establish market leadership and significant scale.

Portfolio Companies: 83North’s portfolio includes companies like Ebury (global transaction bank), Via (ride-sharing platform), and AeroScout (real-time location solutions).

Founding Date: 2006

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 20

Assets Under Management: Approximately $1.8 billion

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Arnon Dinur, Partner: Dinur leads investments in enterprise software and fintech, utilizing his extensive industry experience to drive value creation.
  • Liron Azrielant, Partner: Azrielant focuses on investments in SaaS and AI-driven technologies, guiding portfolio companies in scaling operations.

Recent Exits:

  • Ebury’s acquisition by Santander, expanding its international reach in financial services.

Recent Investments:

  • Investment in Via to support its expansion in the mobility sector.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): 6 Hachoshlim St, Herzliya
  • Additional Offices: London

Website: www.83north.com

Quote: “We are committed to backing outstanding entrepreneurs who are building market-leading companies with global potential.” – Arnon Dinur, Partner

Glilot Capital Partners

Investment Style: Glilot Capital Partners invests in early-stage companies, with a focus on cybersecurity, AI, and big data. They are known for their entrepreneur-friendly approach and strong network in the tech industry.

Portfolio Companies: The portfolio includes companies like LightCyber (behavioral attack detection), Intsights (threat intelligence), and CyberX (industrial cybersecurity).

Founding Date: 2011

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 10

Assets Under Management: Approximately $400 million

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Kobi Samboursky, Co-Founder & Managing Partner: Samboursky is known for his expertise in cybersecurity investments and startup growth strategies.
  • Arik Kleinstein, Co-Founder & Managing Partner: Kleinstein focuses on supporting technology startups in achieving market differentiation and growth.

Recent Exits:

  • LightCyber’s acquisition by Palo Alto Networks, enhancing its cybersecurity offerings.

Recent Investments:

  • Investment in At-Bay, a provider of cyber insurance solutions.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): 4 Hanehoshet St, Herzliya

Website: www.glilotcapital.com

Quote: “Our unique advantage lies in our deep industry expertise and commitment to nurturing innovative cybersecurity and AI startups.” – Kobi Samboursky, Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Pitango Venture Capital

Investment Style: Pitango Venture Capital invests across all stages of company growth, focusing on technology sectors including healthcare, IT, and consumer products. They emphasize building long-lasting partnerships with entrepreneurs and providing strategic support.

Portfolio Companies: Their portfolio includes Valens (semiconductor products), AppsFlyer (mobile marketing analytics), and Via (shared transportation technology).

Founding Date: 1993

Number of Investment Professionals: Over 30

Assets Under Management: Approximately over $1.8 billion

Key Investment Professionals:

  • Rami Kalish, Co-Founder & Managing General Partner: Kalish is pivotal in defining Pitango’s investment strategies, focusing on long-term value creation for technology companies.
  • Chemi Peres, Co-Founder & Managing General Partner: Peres contributes to Pitango’s leadership in fostering innovation and scaling businesses globally.

Recent Exits:

  • Via’s strategic expansion through partnerships, reinforcing its market leadership in ride-sharing.

Recent Investments:

  • Investment in Optibus to enhance its technology for public transportation management.

Office Locations:

  • Herzliya (Headquarters): 11 HaMenofim St, Herzliya
  • Additional Offices: New York, Tel Aviv

Website: www.pitango.com

Quote: “We strive to be the partner of choice for visionary entrepreneurs looking to build impactful and enduring companies.” – Rami Kalish, Co-Founder & Managing General Partner

Conclusion

Herzliya’s private equity landscape reflects a dynamic ecosystem of strategic investments and transformative potential. These firms are reshaping regional economic trajectories, leveraging local talent and global networks. As the sector continues to evolve, understanding its nuanced mechanisms becomes increasingly crucial for stakeholders seeking meaningful insights.

For deeper perspectives on exit strategies and acquisitions, subscribe to my YouTube channel at @alexejpikovsky. Join me weekly as I unpack the intricate details of successful business transitions and share unfiltered insights from the world of mergers and exits.

Alexej Pikovsky

started his career in investment banking at NOMURA in London. After completing $7bn+ M&A and financing deals, Alexej became an investor at a family office and subsequently at a multi-billion private equity fund where he gained board experience and exited a portfolio company to a listed chemicals business in Poland. End of 2019, Alexej started his founder journey, raising $4m+ from family offices and angels. Alexej is the founder of NUOPTIMA, a growth agency and also acquired, 96NORTH, a consumer brand in the USA.