StageOne Ventures News
18 articles
"Scaling GEO/AEO requires analytics for AI visibility, standardized metrics for recall, and ingestion pipelines feeding structured, brand-owned data into models," writes Sharon Kinory, an Associate at StageOne Ventures.
The article discusses the transformative impact of AI on online visibility and search engine optimization (SEO). Traditional SEO methods are becoming obsolete as AI-driven tools like Googles AI Overviews and Perplexitys Comet reshape how information is accessed and presented online. This shift has led to a significant decline in publisher search traffic and a surge in AI-driven referrals. Perplexitys $34.5 billion offer to acquire Google Chrome highlights the critical role of AI interfaces. The article emphasizes the need for brands to adapt to new AI-driven visibility strategies, such as Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), to maintain their online presence and influence AI outputs.
Acquisition
What can Israeli tech investment expect in 2025? | CTech
Tal Slobodkin, Managing Partner at StageOne Ventures, discussed the current state of the tech investment ecosystem at the Roadshow+ event. He noted that while there is a recovery from the downturn of 2021 and 2022, the flow of foreign capital into Israel has significantly declined. However, there are positive signs, such as the return of funds like Sequoia to Israel. StageOne Ventures, which focuses on early-stage deep tech startups, is seeing more startups being created, although progress in later funding rounds remains slow. The outlook for 2025 is optimistic, with expectations of a better investment environment.
Investment
Siit Raises $5M in Seed Funding
Siit, a Paris-based AI-powered service desk solution provider, has raised $5 million in Seed funding. The investment round was led by StageOne Ventures and Seventure Partners. The funds will be used to accelerate product development, expand market presence, and hire new talent in engineering and go-to-market roles. Siits platform leverages advanced AI to automate routine tasks and enhance employee support, integrating with tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. The platform is used by companies such as Ramp, Qonto, Swile, and Gorgias to streamline operations and automate workflows. The funding marks a significant step in Siits growth strategy, aiming to enhance its service offerings and market reach.
InvestmentExpand
Why venture capital must evolve to keep pace with AI innovation | CTech
The article, authored by Avi Shulman, a Principal at StageOne Ventures, discusses the opportunities and challenges of investing in the AI era. Shulman emphasizes the rapid pace of AI innovation, particularly since the introduction of large language models like ChatGPT. He highlights the importance of assessing startups potential for success based on their team, market, and technology. The article underscores the need for due diligence and risk management in AI investments, as well as the potential for startups to disrupt industries with new business models. Shulman advocates for thoughtful investment strategies to contribute to global innovations and improve lives.
Investment
Data platform definity raises $4.5 million in Seed funding | CTech
Israeli startup definity has secured $4.5 million in Seed funding led by StageOne Ventures, with participation from Hyde Park Venture Partners and strategic angel investors. The company specializes in providing a data application observability and remediation platform tailored for Spark data analytics environments. This platform addresses inefficiencies in data operations and poor data quality, which can be costly for companies. By offering in-motion insights into data pipeline execution and infrastructure performance, definity aims to enhance data reliability and optimize performance. The funding will support the companys mission to provide a new standard of observability for enterprise data engineers, enabling them to minimize downtime and reduce infrastructure costs.
Investment
Staircase AI Acquired by Gainsight to Extend Leadership in Humane-First AI
Declining investment is “something that Israeli tech will need to deal with,” says StageOne Ventures | CTech
Yuval Cohen, Founder and Managing Partner at StageOne Ventures, has noted a significant decline in investments in new Israeli companies since 2022, and particularly since October of the previous year. Speaking at the Paris Business Delegation, Cohen attributed this trend to the war and political situation in Israel, which he believes has deterred large institutional investors and multinational companies based in Europe from investing in the country. However, he noted that American companies and investors have continued to invest.
Investment
America’s regard for Israeli tech remains steadfast, says StageOne Ventures | CTech
Yuval Cohen, Founder and Managing Partner at StageOne Ventures, discusses the impact of the ongoing war and political instability in Israel on the tech sector. Despite the challenges, he believes that the prestige of Israeli high-tech has not been significantly damaged and that the ties between Israel and the U.S. remain strong. Cohen also mentions that while 2023 was a challenging year, it was not a lost year and served as a period of going back to basics for the market. He also shares that StageOne Ventures made a total of 8 investments in 2023, a decrease from 2022, and expects the number of deals in 2024 to be similar to 2023.
InvestmentManagement Changes
“Everything that has to do with investment processes has changed” | CTech
Nate Meir, a Partner at StageOne Ventures, discusses the evolving landscape of investment processes for both founders and venture capitalists. He highlights that founders now need to present stronger stories and validations when raising funds, which ultimately benefits both parties. StageOne Ventures, a Seed stage VC based in Israel, focuses on infrastructure technology for large enterprises and is currently investing from its fourth fund, managing a total of half a billion dollars. The changes in the market allow investors more time to validate company stories and connect founders with potential customers, enhancing the investment process.
Investment
StageOne Ventures appoints Nate Meir as new Partner
StageOne Ventures has promoted Nate (Netanel) Meir to Partner and launched a new $235 million fund, StageOne IV, focused on early-stage Israeli companies developing products for the enterprise market. Meir joined StageOne Ventures in 2020 to help expand its investments in Enterprise Technologies. He has over a decade of experience in venture capital investments and executive leadership, having started his career at Vintage and later joined Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP).
InvestmentManagement Changes
Israeli VC fund StageOne Ventures closes $235m fund
Israeli venture capital firm StageOne Ventures has raised $235 million for its fourth fund. The fund will focus on seed investments for early-stage startups, with $150 million allocated for primary investments and $85 million for follow-on investments. The new fund brings StageOnes assets under management to $500 million. The fund will invest in Israeli companies developing groundbreaking products for the enterprise market. Most of the investors in the fund are repeat investors from previous StageOne funds. StageOne has previously invested in over 50 companies, including successful exits such as Epsagon, Avanan, Otonomo, and Apolicy.
Investment
StageOne Ventures raising new $120 million fund
Israeli venture capital firm StageOne Ventures is close to completing the raising of its fourth fund, targeting $120 million but potentially growing to $140 million. The investors in the fund have also committed to contributing an additional $60-80 million to future StageOne investments. StageOne primarily invests in early-stage startups and has previously been involved in notable exits such as Epsagon, sold to Cisco for $500 million, and Avanan, sold to Check Point for $300 million. The company has made investments in a total of 77 companies with 13 exits.
Investment
Tal Slobodkin: StageOne's Star
The article discusses Tal Slobodkin, the Managing Partner at StageOne Ventures, a venture capital firm in Israel. Slobodkin has an impressive background in Israels Intelligence Corps and project management. He obtained his education from prestigious institutions such as The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and The Wharton School. Before joining StageOne Ventures, he worked at Goldman Sachs and Cisco, where he oversaw significant investments and acquisitions. At StageOne Ventures, Slobodkin manages a portfolio of 36 companies with $200 million under management. He has also served on the board of multiple AI and related companies. The article highlights Slobodkins expertise and his ability to transform sectors in Israel and global markets.
InvestmentAcquisition
We Anticipate At Least One Worldwide Crisis When Creating a Fund, Says VC
Tal Slobodkin, Managing Partner at StageOne Ventures, discusses the impact of the coronavirus era on investors. He mentions that StageOne Ventures anticipates a global crisis and aims to be prepared for it. They have recently seen an increase in coronavirus-related companies but prefer to focus on long-term investments. The interview was conducted as part of Google and Calcalists Startup Week conference.
Investment
Young Companies Have an Advantage in These Challenging Times, Says StageOne Founder
Yuval Cohen, founder and managing partner at StageOne Ventures, discusses the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the Israeli tech sector. He mentions that young companies are more flexible and capable of adjusting to changes in the market during crises. StageOne Ventures has authorized employees to work from home and shifted meetings to video conferences. They expect to be more conservative in approving companies budgets and operational plans for 2020. The Israeli tech sector, which heavily relies on export and international customers, may be harmed if the travel ban continues. Companies are shifting to indirect sales strategies and investing more in product development. Cohen suggests adopting conservative plans, assuming longer sale cycles, and monitoring company activities monthly to minimize damage. He also provides three rules to endure the crisis: keeping enough cash, prioritizing tasks, and leveraging opportunities that arise. The lasting impact of the pandemic depends on how long the crisis persists.
CustomersInvestment
StageOne Ventures Closes $110m 3rd Venture Capital Fund for Early Stage Israel-Related Startups
StageOne Ventures has closed its third venture capital fund, raising $110 million in committed capital. The fund, StageOne III, is the firms largest fund to date and will focus on investing in ambitious deep-technology endeavors in B2B software and next-generation information technology infrastructure. StageOne Ventures aims to help entrepreneurs build global businesses by leveraging its global networks and operational experience in both Israel and Silicon Valley. The fund plans to invest in 15-18 companies, with an initial investment size between $500,000 and $3,000,000. StageOne Ventures has previously invested in over 30 companies, with several successful exits.
Investment
Israel's StageOne Ventures closes $110m VC fund
StageOne Ventures has closed its third venture capital fund, raising $110 million in committed capital. The fund will focus on investing in 15-18 Israeli IT startups, with investments ranging between $500,000 and $3 million. StageOne Ventures aims to help entrepreneurs build global businesses by bridging the Israel-Silicon Valley axis. The fund is backed primarily by StageOnes existing LPs, with the addition of several prominent investors from Israel, the US, and Europe. StageOne Ventures has previously invested in over 30 companies, including Avanan, Capitali.se, DBmaestro, Minerva, Otonomo, and SafeDK.
Investment
Israel's StageOne Ventures closes $65m second fund
StageOne Ventures, an Israeli venture capital fund, has closed its $65 million StageOne II fund. The fund, which focuses on early-stage enterprise software and communications technology startups, aims to replicate the success of its first fund, which had six successful exits. StageOne II has already made four investments and plans to invest in verticals such as enterprise software, big data, cloud, security, mobile, storage, fintech, and IoT. The funds limited partners include multinational financial institutions, insurance conglomerates, family offices, fund of funds, and private investors from North America, Asia Pacific, Israel, and South Africa.
Investment
