Team8 News
69 articles
IVIX, שהוקמה ב־2020 בידי מתן פטאל ודורון פסוב, גייסה עד היום כ־85 מיליון דולר ● את הסבב הובילה קרן O.G. Venture Partners, בהשתתפות הקרנות Team8 ואינסייט פרטנס
IVIX, an Israeli startup founded in 2020 by Matan Patal and Doron Pasov, has announced a $60 million funding round led by O.G. Venture Partners, with participation from Team8 and Insight Partners. The company, which has raised a total of $85 million to date, offers an AI platform designed to help governments and tax authorities detect tax evasion and money laundering. IVIXs technology cross-references public data with internal tax authority data to identify financial crimes. The company has experienced rapid growth since its first funding round in 2021 and is currently used in several OECD countries. With the new funding, IVIX plans to expand its operations and bring its technology to more governments worldwide.
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Hameiri was co-founder and CTO of Mashov, a company that integrated digital information management and applications in schools before the smartphone era, and which was acquired by Priority about four years ago.
Exodigo, a company specializing in AI-based subsurface mapping and advanced sensing technologies, has appointed Omer Hameiri as Chief Product Officer. This appointment comes at a crucial time as the company recently secured $96 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its valuation to $700 million. Exodigo is focused on developing and launching new products in engineering and geotech fields. The company provides detailed maps for infrastructure developers, identifying risks and hidden features underground. Founded in 2021, Exodigo has raised a total of $214 million and is expanding its product and development teams.
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Team8 Capital raising $250–300M third fund | CTech
Team8 Capital, the venture arm of Team8 Group, is in the advanced stages of raising a new fund of $250–300 million, following a successful $235 million raise for its second fund in March 2024. Despite geopolitical tensions in Israel, the firm is progressing quickly with its fundraising efforts, engaging with wealth management entities both locally and internationally. Team8 Capital, founded by Nadav Zafrir and Sarit Firon, focuses on launching and supporting startups in cyber, data, fintech, and digital health. The firm has a strong track record, with significant exits including the sale of Dig Security and Talon Cyber Security to Palo Alto Networks for $1 billion. The new fund is expected to close by the end of 2025.
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Ori Barzilay and Matthew Schoenfeld join fund’s leadership team.
Team8, an Israeli venture fund, has announced leadership changes with Ori Barzilay promoted to Partner and Matthew Schoenfeld joining as Operating Partner. These changes aim to strengthen Team8s investment strategies in cybersecurity, enterprise infrastructure, and AI. Despite challenging conditions in Israels high-tech sector, Team8 has invested in 11 new companies and supported follow-on funding for its portfolio of around 40 firms. The fund manages over $1 billion in assets and employs 100 experts to support portfolio startups. Team8s model combines venture capital with company-building support, helping early-stage companies rapidly achieve global market presence.
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"CMOs who embrace AIO are taking a long-term view. They are investing in discoverability as a brand asset, not a performance channel," writes Asaf Azulay, Partner & CMO at Team8.
The article discusses the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO) on marketing strategies, emphasizing its potential to redefine brand influence and discoverability. Asaf Azulay, Partner & CMO at Team8, highlights how AIO, also known as AI Powered SEO, is emerging as a significant opportunity for marketers, akin to the rise of digital marketing in the early 2000s. AIO focuses on earning trust from both users and AI algorithms, requiring brands to be present and understood in AI-generated content. The shift to AIO is seen as a strategic opportunity for CMOs to lead growth and influence across the organization, moving beyond traditional SEO tactics. The article underscores the importance of collaboration across various teams to effectively implement AIO strategies.
"Autonomous AI agents have the power to completely transform the consumer experience. This isn’t just another gradual shift, it’s a major leap," writes Alon Huri, a Managing Partner at Team8 and Co-Founder at NEXT Insurance.
The article discusses the transformative potential of autonomous AI agents in revolutionizing the consumer experience, particularly in online shopping. Alon Huri, Managing Partner at Team8 and Co-Founder at NEXT Insurance, emphasizes that AI agents are not just a technological upgrade but a new ecosystem that will redefine shopping. These agents will offer interactive, adaptive, and personalized customer service, enhancing the shopping experience for both consumers and sellers. The article highlights how AI agents can simplify complex purchases like cars and homes, and how they can provide real-time consumer insights to businesses. The shift towards AI-driven shopping is seen as a major opportunity for companies to gain a competitive edge and improve customer relationships.
Team8’s Liran Grinberg says AI, global threats, and the evolving role of CISOs prove cyber’s staying power.
Liran Grinberg, co-founder and managing partner at VC Team8, discussed the evolving landscape of cybersecurity at the Tech1 conference in Eilat. He emphasized the transformative role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, highlighting how AI is reshaping both offensive and defensive strategies. Grinberg noted that AI-powered tools are helping defenders close the gap against attackers, who have historically had the upper hand. The role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) is also evolving, with many taking on broader technology leadership roles. Grinberg dismissed the notion of a cyber bubble, asserting that cybersecurity remains a foundational industry, akin to electricity, essential for the protection of all other sectors.
The former Bank Leumi CEO and Team8 managing partner told Liat Aaronson at Tech1 why mindset, not machines, will define the future of banking, startups, and Israeli innovation.
Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, former CEO of Bank Leumi and now a managing partner at Team8, discusses the transformative role of artificial intelligence in banking and Israeli innovation. She emphasizes that while AI technology is advancing rapidly, the real challenge lies in changing peoples mindsets. Russak-Aminoach reflects on her experience leading digital transformation at Bank Leumi and highlights the importance of resilience and optimism in entrepreneurship. She also praises Israeli innovation, citing recent successes by her partners at Team8, including eToros public listing and Next Insurances acquisition by Munich Re. The article underscores the unique blend of mental toughness and ingenuity that characterizes Israeli high-tech.
Former US National Security Agency head Michael Rogers is now a partner at VC firm Team8. He talks to "Globes" about intelligence, geopolitics, and what amazes him about Israel's tech industry.
The article features Admiral (ret.) Michael S. Rogers, who is a partner in the Israeli venture capital group Team8 and advisory committee chairman for cyber unicorn Claroty. Rogers discusses the resilience of Israeli society amidst geopolitical tensions and highlights the strength of Israeli innovation, particularly in cybersecurity and AI. Team8, founded by alumni of Unit 8200, focuses on building companies around challenging problems in cyber, data, and AI. Despite regional instability, Team8 has managed to thrive, managing assets worth $1.2 billion and achieving significant exits. Rogers emphasizes the unique entrepreneurial spirit in Israel, where young people often pursue startups post-military service. He also addresses concerns about a potential brain drain due to judicial reforms, noting that investment and innovation continue robustly in Israel.
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Sarit Firon, Managing Partner at Team8, was speaking at a panel held as part of Calcalist's InvesTech conference in collaboration with IBI Capital. According to Firon, in recent months there has been growth in the number of new companies opening: "There is an amazing phenomenon, the determination of employees to close the gap created by the war is tremendous."
Israeli tech’s rapid recovery in 2024 has surprised many, but not Sarit Firon. The veteran investor behind Team8 Capital’s biggest exits explains why founders, employees, and global investors continue to bet on Israel—even in the toughest times.
The article discusses the resilience and rapid recovery of Israeli tech in 2024, highlighting the role of Team8 Capital and its managing partner Sarit Firon. Team8 Capital has achieved significant exits, including the sale of cybersecurity companies Dig and Talon to Palo Alto Networks for $1 billion and the sale of Planck to Applied Systems for $300 million. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war, Team8 Capital has continued to raise funds and invest in new ventures. The article also emphasizes the determination of Israeli entrepreneurs and the continued confidence of global investors in Israel as a technology hub. Additionally, the article mentions the role of AI in driving innovation and the potential for a surge in new startups.
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Prior to joining Team8, Eliakim was the Co-Founder and CTO of Zone7 Technologies.
Team8 has appointed Eyal Eliakim as the Head of AI to lead its newly established AI Excellence Center. Eliakim will focus on integrating AI into the ideation process of entrepreneurs, developing AI-driven tools for Team8s portfolio companies, and spearheading new AI investments. He will also lead the development of an AI-powered solution that uses social listening and behavioral insights to identify market gaps and drive innovation. Eliakim brings over 15 years of experience in AI, data science, and product development, having previously co-founded Zone7 Technologies and worked at Salesforce. His appointment is expected to enhance Team8s capabilities in AI and innovation.
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“Israel is poised to excel in AI by building the transformative tech and industries around them” | CTech
Team8, a prominent Israeli venture group, is optimistic about the future of AI and cybersecurity, predicting significant growth in these sectors. In 2024, Team8 experienced a successful year with five exits and two mega funding rounds of $100 million for portfolio companies Claroty and FundGaurd. The company also raised $500 million for three new funds, increasing its assets under management to over $1.2 billion. Team8 plans to expand its focus on AI by launching an AI Excellence Center and continues to support the cybersecurity ecosystem. Despite challenges, such as the security situation in Israel, the company remains confident in the resilience and growth of the Israeli tech sector.
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Ronen Assia, Managing Partner at Team8, was speaking during the Israeli venture group’s first-ever Fintech Village gathering at the iconic New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The event brought together over 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to explore the future of financial technology, focusing on AI and its transformative role in reshaping the sector.
Team8, an Israeli venture group, hosted its inaugural Fintech Village event at the New York Stock Exchange, gathering over 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the future of financial technology, with a focus on AI. The event highlighted the importance of partnerships in driving fintech innovation, with support from partners like Canapi Ventures, AWS, Deloitte Catalyst, and HSBC Innovation Banking. Discussions centered on AIs transformative role in financial services, emphasizing its potential to enhance customer experiences and decision-making. The event also featured a startup pitch competition, showcasing innovative solutions in fintech. The gathering underscored the critical role of venture capital and strategic partnerships in scaling startups and preparing them for public trading.
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Team8 appoints NEXT Insurance Co-Founder Alon Huri as New Managing Partner | CTech
Team8, an Israeli venture group, has announced the appointment of Alon Huri, co-founder of insurtech unicorn NEXT Insurance, as a Managing Partner. Huri will join the fintech space of Team8, where he will drive ideation initiatives and build new fintech startups. He will also develop growth and online marketing strategies for Team8’s portfolio companies, integrating AI-based technologies. Huri is a serial entrepreneur and a startup investor, who started his career in tech in 1998. He was part of the founding team at Check, a mobile app that was acquired by Intuit for $360 million in 2014. In 2016, Huri co-founded NEXT Insurance, which has raised a total of $1.1 billion to date.
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Team8 appoints Ori Yankelev as new Partner and Chief Revenue Officer | CTech
Team8, a venture capital firm, has appointed Ori Yankelev as a new partner and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Yankelev will be based in Team8’s New York office and will assist portfolio companies with business development, sales, and partnerships. Prior to joining Team8, Yankelev was a member of the founding team and CRO at Own (formerly known as OwnBackup), where he built a global revenue organization that scaled the companys revenues to over $170 million ARR. Team8 recently announced raising three funds totaling $500 million, bringing its total assets under management to more than $1 billion.
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Team8 records exits worth $1.1b in five months
Israeli cloud security company Wiz has confirmed the acquisition of Israeli cybersecurity company Gem Security for $350 million in cash. Gem Security was founded less than two years ago and was one of the companies in which Israeli investment fund Team8 had invested. This acquisition marks the third exit for Team8 in the last five months, totaling $1.1 billion. The other two companies were sold to Palo Alto Networks. Team8 is estimated to hold between a quarter and a third of the companies shares, earning it about $300-350 million.
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חברת ההשקעות Team8 גייסה 500 מיליון דולר לשלוש קרנות חדשות | כלכליסט
Israeli company Team8 has raised $500 million for three different funds, bringing the total assets managed by the company to over $1 billion. The new funds will be used to build and invest in companies in the fields of cybersecurity, data, artificial intelligence, fintech, and digital health. The Venture-Creation Enterprise fund raised $110 million, the digital health startup fund raised $70 million, and Team8s venture capital fund raised $235 million. An additional $85 million was raised for a follow-on fund to support the companys portfolio companies in later funding rounds.
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Israeli venture group Team8 raises $500 million for new tech funds
מייקל רוג'רס: "רכישת טאלון מראה שמודל הטק הישראלי חי" | כלכליסט
Michael Rogers, former head of the National Security Agency and current partner at Team8, spoke at a conference in New York about the strength of Israels cybersecurity reputation. He mentioned the acquisition of Israeli cybersecurity company Talon by American company Palo Alto for $625 million as an example of the success of the Israeli tech model. He also discussed the role of cyber in warfare, the potential actions of Iran and Hezbollah, and the decrease in mergers and acquisitions in the tech world due to high valuations based on speculation.
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Team8 appoints Asaf Azulay and Dror Grof as new Partners | CTech
Team8, a global venture group, has announced the appointment of Asaf Azulay and Dror Grof as Partners. Azulay, who joined Team8 in 2022, will also serve as Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for the marketing strategies of portfolio companies, the group, and its funds. Grof, who joined in 2021, will serve as Ideation Lead in the Digital Health Foundry, overseeing research in the digital health branch and leading the investment expansion and establishment of companies within the foundry. The appointments are seen as a natural progression and testament to their accomplishments.
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"Palo Alto Networks didn't invest a billion dollars in Israel as a show of solidarity" | CTech
Liran Grinberg, co-founder and Managing Partner at VC firm Team8, discusses the recent billion-dollar acquisitions of Israeli cyber startups Dig and Talon by Palo Alto Networks amidst the backdrop of conflict. Despite the war, these acquisitions are seen as a huge success and a testament to the resilience of the founders and the strength of Israels tech ecosystem. Grinberg also highlights the strategic importance of such acquisitions in these tumultuous times. Team8 invested about $14 million in Talon and about $8 million in Dig. The acquisitions are seen as a significant expression of confidence in the Israeli economy.
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Sometimes you have to trash a million dollars
Nadav Zafrir, co-founder of venture capital platform Team8, discusses the companys growth and investment strategy amidst market fluctuations. Team8, which focuses on establishing and investing in companies in targeted sectors, has grown from $42 million to an estimated $1 billion under management in eight years. Despite market volatility, Zafrir remains confident in the companys model and its ability to attract entrepreneurs. He also discusses the companys venture capital fund, Team8 Capital, and its investments in sectors such as cybersecurity, data, fintech, and digital health.
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קבוצת Team8 משיקה זרוע השקעות בבריאות דיגיטלית
Cyber and fintech group 8Team is expanding into health tech and is planning to raise between $80 million to $100 million from existing and strategic investors from pharmaceutical and medical technology companies. The new health tech arm will be led by Dimitrios Kozokos, former manager of the American Medicare program, and Asaf Mischari, a former senior in Unit 8200 and co-founder of 8Team. The new arm plans to establish six to eight health tech companies over the next five years, with a total investment of up to $10 million in each company.
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גלובס זירת העסקים של ישראל
Venture capital fund Team8 has recently launched its TikTok page, becoming the first Israeli venture capital fund to reach out to entrepreneurs through the social network. The fund recognizes that the age range of TikTok users is expanding, with about 30% of its billion users aged between 25 and 44. The page provides a unique insight into the daily challenges of entrepreneurs in portfolio companies, tips and content videos. The fund plans to use other channels, including Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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Gadi Evron joins Team8 as CISO-in-Residence CTech
Venture capital group Team8 has appointed Gadi Evron as its new CISO-in-Residence. Evron will provide strategic and technical guidance to Team8 portfolio companies and expand the firms ties to the cyber industry. He will also manage the CISO Village community, an international forum of Chief Information Security Officers. Evron has held senior positions in the cybersecurity field, founded a startup, and worked with various organizations and companies in the industry. Team8 aims to strengthen its CISO Village and support the growth of its portfolio companies with Evrons expertise.
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Team8 leads Dig Security out of stealth, with $11M
Israeli startup Dig Security has announced an $11 million seed funding round led by Team8. The company provides data transparency and improves cloud data security and protection. Dig Security offers a cloud Data Detection and Response (DDR) solution that helps organizations discover, monitor, detect, protect, and govern their cloud data in real-time. The funding will be used to continue developing the product, accelerate the companys activity in global markets, and increase the number of employees. Dig Security was founded in 2021 and already has a large data security research team and paying customers.
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Hadar Siterman Norris, former senior executive at Mastercard, joins Team8 as Partner CTech
Team8 has appointed Hadar Siterman Norris as a new Partner at Team8 Capital, the groups venture capital fund. The aim is to expand the groups fintech investments. Team8 Capital has raised $160 million to date and invested in 12 companies. The funds portfolio companies have raised a total of $500 million and are valued at approximately $3 billion. Siterman Norris brings extensive fintech experience from her time at Mastercard International. Team8 Capital was founded two years ago and operates on a classic venture model, investing in relevant companies during Seed and A funding stages. The appointment comes as fintech investment in Israel has reached record levels.
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Asaf Azulay joining Team8 as VP of Marketing
Asaf Azulay, the Chief Marketing Officer of Bank Hapoalim, is leaving the company to join Team8 as the groups VP of Marketing. Team8, founded by Nadav Tzafrir, invests in technology companies in the fields of cybersecurity, data, and fintech. Azulay will be responsible for driving the marketing strategy of Team8 funds and portfolio companies. Team8 has been expanding its team with notable names from the tech and banking sectors. Azulays appointment is aimed at attracting the best entrepreneurs in the industry. The specific date of the event is not mentioned in the article.
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VC Group Identifies Seven Cybersecurity Themes for 2022
Global venture group Team8 has released its 2022 Cybersecurity Themes Report, which outlines the seven themes shaping the future of cybersecurity. The report highlights the impact of the pandemic, remote work, and cyberattacks on governments response. It also identifies the solutions and vendors needed to address each theme. The themes include cloud security, smarter security using AI and automation, and stronger resilience and recovery. The report is based on interviews with CISOs and cyber defenders and was compiled in January 2022. The trends driving the themes include the risk of remote work, the shift in ransomware attacks, increased government response, and more private investment. Team8 is a venture group that builds and backs technology companies in various sectors.
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לא רק סייבר ופינטק: קבוצת Team8 מקימה זרוע בתחום בריאות דיגיטלית
Team8, a technology company that invests in and establishes technology companies, is expanding into the digital health sector by creating a new arm. This will be the third sector that Team8 enters, following cybersecurity and fintech. The new arm will support and invest in healthcare startups, focusing on software and data technologies.
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Team8 and Deloitte launching fintech collaboration
Global venture group Team8 has announced a partnership with Deloitte to facilitate the use and development of innovative technologies for financial services. The aim is to reduce risks associated with startups through proactive and early engagement with customers. The partnership will help companies understand industry pain points, identify new opportunities, validate solutions, and accelerate market access. Deloitte and Team8 are also exploring emerging trends and innovative solutions in the tax sector driven by fintech companies, with plans to publish a joint report in the coming months. The partnership will provide Deloittes clients with access to both technology and financial expertise.
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Venture group Team8 appoints two new partners and CTO
Former Check Point exec Roy Heldshtein has been appointed as Partner and Chief of Operations at Team8. Galia Beer-Gabel has been promoted to Partner, and Gal Hochberg has been hired as CTO. Heldshtein will oversee the administrative and operational functions of the business. Beer-Gabel has played a significant role in building Team8 Fintech and will now transition into the role of Partner. Hochberg, a co-founder of ClearX, returns to Team8 after being the CEO of ClearX. The appointments aim to support the growth and development of Team8.
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Industrial cybersecurity startup Claroty raises $140M in pre-IPO funding round
Claroty, an industrial cybersecurity company, has raised $140 million in its latest round of funding. The company has now raised a total of $235 million. The funding will be used to meet the growing demand for The Claroty Platform and expand into new regions and verticals. Claroty has seen significant customer growth, with 110% year-over-year net new logo growth and 100% customer retention. The company is considering acquisitions in the future and is exploring a potential IPO. Cybersecurity threats have increased, particularly in industries like food, automotive, and critical infrastructure.
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"We employ 50 people to support startups in sales, marketing, and recruiting"
Liran Grinberg, co-founder of venture group Team8 and the Managing Partner of its investment fund, Team8 Capital, discusses the companys journey and expansion into investing in companies across cyber, fintech, data, and infrastructure. Team8 was founded in 2014 and initially focused on the design of its unique company-building Foundry model. The company has since transitioned to also investing in new companies and working with portfolio companies to accelerate their success. Grinberg highlights the companys unique approach to building and investing in companies, which includes a strong focus on research and validation.
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Record seed round brings Talon Cyber Security $26m
Talon Cyber Security, an Israeli company developing cloud infrastructure-based cybersecurity technology for hybrid work models, has raised $26 million in a seed funding round. The round, which is the largest seed round ever in Israels tech industry, was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Team8 Capital. The funds will be used to continue development and expand the companys team in Israel. Talon Cyber Security was founded by Ofer Ben-Noon and Ohad Bobrov, who previously founded Argus Cyber Security and Lacoon Mobile Security, respectively.
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Spiral secures $14 million in funding and debuts banking app for charity
Spiral, a fintech company that has developed a banking solution for the charitable sector, has raised $14 million in a funding round led by Team8. The funds will be used to launch a new ethical banking app that allows customers to support any charitable cause while earning attractive rates and monthly cash bonuses on their deposits. Spiral will match the donations of clients up to $150 per year. The app is live and will launch to the public next quarter. Nonprofits that partner with Spiral can receive donations without any fees and share content directly through the app to engage supporters.
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Noogata raises $12M seed round for its no-code enterprise AI platform
Noogata, a startup that offers a no-code AI solution for enterprises, has raised a $12 million seed round led by Team8 and with participation from Skylake Capital. The funding will be used for product development and expansion into new industries. Noogata provides pre-built AI building blocks that can be connected to third-party tools, allowing enterprises to generate actionable insights and recommendations. The company currently focuses on e-commerce, retail, and financial services, with customers including Colgate and PepsiCo. Noogata is positioned to address the market need for a no-code data analytics platform, replacing the need for internal development or limited vendor solutions. The funding round is a positive growth impact for the company.
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PayPal Acquires Crypto Security Firm Curv for Nearly $200M - Decrypt
PayPal has acquired Curv, a startup that uses cryptography to secure customers digital assets. The acquisition is part of PayPals strategy to capitalize on the world of financial technology. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is estimated to be around $200 million. This is PayPals first major acquisition in the crypto space. Curv is known for its use of multi-party computation (MPC) to safeguard crypto holdings. PayPal plans to use Curvs technology to provide a security layer for its own digital assets and to facilitate the movement of assets across borders. PayPals CEO has expressed the companys vision for financial inclusion and the potential for blockchain technology to create a cheaper and fairer financial system. PayPals crypto ambitions are also tied to the adoption of digital currencies by central banks.
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FundGuard raises $12 million to help manage assets with AI
FundGuard, an AI-powered investment management platform, has closed a $12 million funding round. The investment will support product development and meet demand from alternative funds and insurers. FundGuard offers a cloud-based solution for asset and fund managers, using AI for data reconciliation, exception management, and reporting. The platform also provides oversight, portfolio validation, and investment news research. The private sector has shown growing interest in AI technology for financial services. FundGuards series A financing was led by Team8, Blumberg Capital, LionBird Ventures, and JPMorgan, bringing the total raised to over $16 million.
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WisdomTree Launches Cybersecurity Fund (WCBR)
WisdomTree Investments, Inc. has launched the WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund (WCBR) on NASDAQ. The fund seeks to track the price and yield performance of the WisdomTree Team8 Cybersecurity Index (WTCBR), and has an expense ratio of 0.45%. The fund provides exposure to global innovations in cybersecurity via a rules-based process and measures the exposure of public cybersecurity companies, their products and services, to key development areas. The fund aims to offer exposure to high-growth companies that drive key developments and innovations in the pure-play cybersecurity market over the medium to long term.
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Classiq raises $10.5M Series A round for its quantum software development platform
Classiq, a Tel Aviv-based startup, has raised $10.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Team8 Capital and Wing Capital. The company aims to make it easier for computer scientists and developers to create quantum algorithms and applications. Classiq provides a layer of computer-aided design and automation to simplify quantum software development. The platform allows developers to describe quantum circuits at a higher level of abstraction, making it more accessible for non-experts. The funding will be used to expand the team and further develop the technology. Classiq is already working with larger companies, including banks and a semiconductor firm, to optimize algorithms for specific quantum computing hardware.
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Team8 Appoints Fleur Sohtz as Chief Marketing Officer
Team8, a company-building venture group, has appointed Fleur Sohtz as the new Chief Marketing Officer. Sohtz brings 20 years of international marketing experience to the role, primarily in the financial services, data, and technology sectors. She previously served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Collibra and Cordium, where she played a key role in the sale of the company. Team8 is currently in an exciting growth period, expanding into fintech and launching new initiatives. Sohtzs experience in driving business strategy, brand visibility, and market expansion for tech start-ups and Fortune 500 companies will contribute to the firms growth and portfolio companies.
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Nadav Zafrir: Decorated soldier turned cyber entrepreneur
Nadav Zafrir, the former Commander of Unit 8200, founded Team8, a cyber company-building venture group in 2014. Team8 operates with a unique model, involving a team of investors and partners who examine and validate ideas in the fields of cybersecurity, AI, and Data. The group has had two exits so far, with Sygnia and Portshift Software Technologies Ltd. In June, Team8 announced the establishment of a new $104 million VC fund. They also launched a sister foundry group in the field of fintech. The goal of Team8 is to align the stars for success and provide support to entrepreneurs.
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Cyberpion raises $8.25M in seed funding to help businesses secure assets beyond their firewall
Cybersecurity startup Cyberpion has raised an $8.25 million seed round to help enterprises identify and neutralize risks associated with their infrastructure assets. The companys service analyzes a companys security stance by examining its connections across the public infrastructure of the internet. It discovers a companys known and unknown assets, scans for security vulnerabilities, and provides alerts and recommendations. The funding will be used to expand sales and marketing efforts and accelerate product development. Cyberpion was co-founded by security experts Nethanel Gelernter and Ran Nahmias.
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Application Security Comes into Further Focus with Intent to Acquire Portshift
Cisco has completed the acquisition of Portshift, a company focused on application security solutions. The acquisition aligns with Ciscos goal of delivering security solutions for cloud-native development environments and adding application security constructs earlier in the development lifecycle. Portshift brings cloud native application security capabilities and expertise for containers and service meshes for Kubernetes environments to Cisco. The acquisition will allow Cisco to provide end-to-end application and API security solutions for cloud-native businesses. The Portshift team will join Ciscos ET&I group when the acquisition closes in the first half of Ciscos FY21.
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Strategy Session: Team8 Invests In Fintech Practice To Build New Companies
Team8 Fintech, a company-building venture group, has launched a new practice focused on founding and scaling transformative fintech companies in retail banking, credit, payments, e-commerce and trading. The practice is led by former executives from Leumi Group, Payoneer, and eToro. Team8 Fintech aims to build five to seven companies over a period of five years and plans to raise approximately $100 million to create both B2B and B2B2C companies. The practice has already raised $30 million.
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Co-founder of Team8: "Success requires that the stars align for you. We know how to align them"
Nadav Zafrir, co-founder of cybersecurity company Team8, has warned of the increased risk of cyber attacks due to the shift to remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zafrir, a former commander of the Israeli army’s intelligence Unit 8200, established Team8 in 2014 and has grown the company significantly, recruiting over 100 employees in 2020 alone. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Zafrir predicts that the company will end the year in a stronger position than it started. Team8 has established a working group to analyse the new cyber risks created by the pandemic.
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"Well save entrepreneurs the trouble of founding failing companies"
Israeli cybersecurity startup foundry Team8 has launched Team8 Fintech, a platform focused on founding and scaling fintech companies. The group has already raised $30 million and aims to reach $100 million in investments. Team8 Fintech plans to found five companies in the coming years, with a focus on B2B2C companies in the data sector. The goal is to improve the founding process and increase the chances of success for startups. The group aims to partner with banks and non-financial organizations to offer innovative financial solutions. The article discusses the challenges in the banking system, the slow disruption in the fintech sector, and the need for competition. Team8 Fintechs model is seen as a way to reduce risks for early-stage entrepreneurs and improve their chances of success.
Investment
She was one of the world's few female bank CEOs. Now she's founding a fintech venture group
The former president and CEO of Bank Leumi, Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, has joined Team8 Fintech, a venture group backed by Microsoft, Walmart, Barclays, and Moodys. Team8 Fintech aims to build startups that incumbent firms can tap as they work to go digital. The first company being built will provide an engine to evaluate credit risk for small- and medium-sized enterprises in e-commerce. Russak-Aminoachs decision to join Team8 is a departure from her prior role leading Bank Leumi, where she achieved record profits and market capitalization. She was motivated to join Team8 by her startup experience with Pepper, Leumis fully-mobile digital bank.
Management Changes
Payoneer founder and president Yuval Tal to step down and join Team8's fintech fund
Yuval Tal, the founder and president of Payoneer Inc., will be stepping down from his position and joining the fintech fund of Team8. Tal will remain at Payoneer as an outside advisor. Payoneer is recruiting 300 people, half of them in Israel. The company has raised approximately $245 million to date from investors including Viola Group, Greylock Partners, TCV, Susquehanna International Group, Vintage Investment Partners, Wellington Management, and Ping An Insurance. Payoneer is active in more than 200 countries, servicing over 4 million clients including Amazon, Airbnb, Google, and Fiverr Int. Ltd. Tal previously founded Borderfree Inc., which was acquired at a $450 million valuation.
Management Changes
"I want to be where I can give value"
Sarit Firon, a leading investor in Israels technology industry, is now heading a new venture capital fund, Team8 Capital. Firon has a record of exits worth a cumulative $4 billion and personal angel investments estimated at several million dollars. One of her most successful investments was in Datorama, a platform that analyses the effectiveness of advertising budgets, which was acquired by Salesforce in 2018 for $800 million, turning her initial investment of $140,000 into $14 million. Team8 Capital has already invested in three companies and is examining a fourth.
InvestmentManagement Changes
Bob Blakley Team8, Operating Partner
Israeli startup foundry and venture group Team8 LLC announced the appointment of Bob Blakley as operating partner. Blakley will drive Team8s innovation strategy and lead research activities for the establishment of new companies. Team8 is a company-building venture group focused on enterprise technology, AI, and cybersecurity. It has invested in 15 companies to date and recently announced the creation of a new venture capital fund, Team8 Capital. Team8 also plans to enter the fintech realm soon.
Management Changes
Israel's Team8 raises $104M to make bigger cybersecurity and enterprise bets
Team8, an Israel-based firm known for developing and spinning out cybersecurity startups, is launching a venture capital arm called Team8 Capital. The new division aims to invest in Seed, A, and B rounds for cybersecurity, AI, data science, and enterprise startups. Team8 Capital has already raised $104 million and has made three investments so far. The firm plans to scale its proposition by adding companies outside of its own portfolio and across a wider range of categories. The move comes as the cybersecurity sector sees increased activity and demand from investors and acquiring companies. Team8 has been backed by major tech firms and has incubated and launched 11 startups, with one exit and over $350 million raised across the portfolio.
Investment
"Im usually the most optimistic person around. Not now."
Yuval Shachar, chair of Team8, discusses his experiences of the three most recent major crises in the high-tech industry and how they have shaped his approach to investment and entrepreneurship. He emphasises the importance of overreaction, over-communication, and transparency in times of crisis. Shachar also discusses the unique investment model of Team8, which involves identifying problems, brainstorming solutions, and then looking for entrepreneurs to start a company. This approach, he argues, mitigates risk and allows for strategic discourse.
CustomersInvestment
World's Largest Beer Company AB InBev Partners With Israeli Startup Foundry Team8
Anheuser-Busch InBev has signed a partnership agreement with Israeli cybersecurity startup foundry Team8 to facilitate collaboration between Israeli cyber companies and AB InBev. AB InBev also has an Israeli research and development center and is currently recruiting 50 additional developers for this center. The company owns around 500 brands and reported revenues of almost $55 billion for 2018.
Partners
Team8 Joins New York City's Cybersecurity Initiative
Israeli cybersecurity startup foundry, Team8, has joined Cyber NYC, the cybersecurity initiative of the city of New York. Cyber NYC is a $100 million initiative designed to bolster the citys cybersecurity ecosystem. Team8 will collaborate with academic institutions involved in the initiative to identify new areas of research and develop educational programs in the cybersecurity field. The partnership aims to attract talent and build trail-blazing companies in the cybersecurity industry.
PartnersCustomers
Tulsa University, Team8 Partner on Joint Cyber PhD Program
The University of Tulsa and Team8 LLC have announced a joint PhD program focusing on cyber research and development. The program aims to identify innovative technologies and develop them into startup companies. The four-year program will accept 10 students per year and will be funded jointly by the university and the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Team8, a cyber think tank and startup foundry, will provide its ecosystem to help identify industry challenges and offer practical solutions. The partnership with the university will also give Team8 a recruitment edge in the industry. The program is not an investment for Team8, but a long-term journey to impact the entire industry.
PartnersInvestment
Team8: A unique model, but will it work?
Bank Leumi CEO Rakefet Russak-Aminoach is in talks to join Israeli cybersecurity firm Team8 as a partner and head of its fintech arm. Team8, which has raised $150m, is a unique entity in Israels tech industry, focusing on setting up start-ups and investing in companies. The firms operational model is to identify areas in need of technological solutions and look for management teams that can implement them. Each company that is set up receives a check for about $5m, assistance in connecting to strategic partners and in recruiting manpower, and a general support network meant to help the company get off the ground and attain substantial sales.
Management ChangesInvestmentPartners
Leumi CEO in talks to become high tech fund partner
Bank Leumi CEO Rakefet Russak-Aminoach is in talks to join cybersecurity fund Team8 in a senior position, leading its expansion in fintech. Team8 is a venture capital fund and platform for founding cybersecurity companies. They invest in areas where a technological solution is needed and find a management team to apply one. Team8 has raised $175 million so far and has 400 employees in its offices worldwide. They have only had one exit so far, the sale of Sygnia for $250 million. Russak-Aminoach has focused on the digital realm in recent years, leading the founding of digital bank Pepper and launching the Pepper Pay payment app.
Partners
Moody's and Team8 Launch Joint Cyber Risk Assessment Venture
Moodys Corporation has entered a joint venture with Israeli cybersecurity startup foundry Team8 to develop new methods and technologies to measure and analyze cyber risks faced by enterprises. The joint venture will be led by Derek Vadala, managing director of global head of cyber risk at Moodys, and Team8 CEO Nadav Zafrir will serve on its board of directors. Moodys was one of 14 multinational companies that joined Team8 as strategic partners in 2018, committing $85 million to the foundrys cybersecurity fund. Other strategic partners include SoftBank, Airbus, Temasek, Microsoft, and Barclays.
PartnersInvestment
SoftBank, Walmart, Airbus Partner with Israeli Startup Foundry Team8
Israeli cybersecurity startup foundry Team8 has raised an $85 million fund from an international coalition of strategic partners, including Walmart, SoftBank, and Airbus. The fund will focus on developing technologies and startups in the fields of big data, resilient-by-design infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. Team8, based in Tel Aviv and New York, was founded in 2014 and has already founded five companies. The new fund marks a shift in Team8s focus from cyber protection to technologies related to retail, aerospace, insurance, and IT. The strategic partners have committed to investing $5 million to $10 million in the seed rounds of eight of Team8s future companies.
InvestmentPartners
Retired NSA Director Mike Rogers Joins Israeli Cyber Foundry Team8
Retired U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) Director Mike Rogers has joined Israeli cybersecurity foundry Team8 LLC as a senior advisor. Rogers will analyze trends in cyber crime and develop new cyber protection procedures and technologies. He will also support Team8s U.S. expansion and work with existing portfolio companies. In related news, Temasek Holdings has agreed to acquire one of Team8s companies, Sygnia Inc., for a deal worth $250 million. Team8s portfolio companies have raised $175 million to date from investors including Temasek, Microsoft, Cisco, and Intel.
PartnersAcquisitionInvestment
Singapore investment giant buying Israeli cybertech firm Sygnia for around $250 million
Cybertech consulting company Sygnia has been sold to Singapores Temasek Holdings in a deal worth $250 million. The sale represents a significant return on investment, with over 50 times the initial investment. Sygnia will continue to operate independently and hire new employees. Temasek is acquiring Sygnia to protect its digital assets and gain new customers. Sygnia, founded in 2015, uses its platform to connect to large companies networks during cyberattacks and security breaches. The company employs 60 people, with 90% having served in Israeli Military Intelligence. This acquisition marks Temaseks most significant investment in Israel. Temasek plans to build a Singaporean cyberplatform in Israel and make more acquisitions in the future.
AcquisitionInvestment
Cybersecurity Powerhouse Team8 Launches Sygnia
Team8, Israels leading cybersecurity think tank and company creation platform, has officially launched Sygnia, an elite military-grade cyber consulting and incident response company. Sygnia works with organizations to build cyber-resilience and contain and defeat attacks within their networks. The company has already responded to numerous heavyweight cyber attacks and has become the trusted adviser of executive managements, boards, CIOs, and CISOs of top organizations worldwide. Sygnia has a team of experts from military and industry backgrounds, including Unit 8200 and Cyber Command. The company applies technological proficiency, a deep understanding of attackers, and cyber combat experience to support clients with the highest standards of professional excellence and confidentiality.
Customers
Intel joins Team8 cybersecurity syndicate
Intel has joined Team8, an Israeli cybersecurity think tank and company creation platform, in a strategic partnership. The partnership aims to develop disruptive companies that address cybersecurity challenges and provide organizations with an advantage over cyber threats. Intel will work with Team8 to secure future computing, IoT, mobile, automotive, and cloud technologies. They will collaborate to identify security gaps and develop new cyber paradigms. Intel will also explore new business opportunities with the companies created by Team8s foundry. As part of the partnership, Intel will open a cybersecurity center in Jerusalem and invest several million dollars in Team8 portfolio company illusive networks. The partnership is seen as a growth-positive move for Intel.
Partners
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-09/microsoft-qualcomm-citi-join-israel-s-team8-cyber-syndicate
Team8, a cybersecurity company founded by veterans of an elite Israeli intelligence unit, has welcomed Citigroup, Microsoft, and Qualcomm into its syndicate. The company, which has raised over $92 million, plans to launch two new companies this year. Its existing portfolio companies, Illusive Networks and Claroty, generated $22 million in sales last year.
Investment
Cyber security "think-tank" Team8 raises $18m
Team8, a cybersecurity think-tank, has closed an $18 million Series A investment round from Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Investments, Marker LLC, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Innovation Endeavors. The company aims to build market-leading cybersecurity companies and design a safer cyber world. Team8 operates as a foundry, providing capital, resources, expertise, and talent to brilliant entrepreneurs in the cybersecurity space. They have a technology research group that acts as an operational think tank, conducting extensive research to develop advanced and creative solutions for cybersecurity challenges. Team8 is currently recruiting exceptional talent and inviting entrepreneurs to join forces in building new cybersecurity companies. The first Team8 company, focused on mitigating targeted attacks and advanced persistent threats, is led by a Check Point veteran.
InvestmentExpand
Team8 Brings Together Some Of The Sharpest Cyber-Security Minds... The "What For?" Is TBD
Team8, a cyber-security vendor, has announced a $15 million investment from US investors Marker LLC, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Eric Schmidts Innovation Endeavors. Team8 is a cyber-security incubator co-founded by retired Brigadier General Nadav Zafrir and other experts in the field. The company aims to create a platform for building and launching cyber security companies from scratch. Team8 has already spun out one startup focused on Advanced Persistent Threats (APT). The company has also formed partnerships with Cisco Systems and Alcatel-Lucent. The investment from prominent investors suggests confidence in Team8s approach.
InvestmentPartners