Jerusalem Venture Partners

Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) is an international venture capital firm founded in 1993. The fund specializes in investments in startup companies and growth stage companies, focusing on Cybersecurity, Vertical AI, Enterprise Software, Fintech and Insurtech, having raised close to $2.18 billion USD across 10 funds.[1] JVP is headquartered in Margalit Startup City Jerusalem with offices in Tel Aviv, New York City and Kiryat Shmona.

Approach

Aside from investment, JVP operates Margalit "startup cities" in Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva and New York.[2] In May 2021, JVP founder Eren Margalit met with French officials, including minister of finance Bruno Le Maire, to discuss a Startup City in Paris.[3] The cities operate like business incubators, providing portfolio companies with office space, mentoring, guidance and other business support. The fund also operates startup hubs in locations like Kiryat Shmona.[4]

History

JVP was founded in Jerusalem in 1993 by Erel Margalit. The company oversaw the IPO of business intelligence software company QlikTech, and the sale of Chromatis Networks to Lucent Technologies for $4.8 billion, the largest sale of an Israeli company at the time.

In May 2012 JVP portfolio company XtremIO, established in 2009, was sold to EMC Corporation for $430 million.[5] Additional notable companies backed by JVP are Allot Communications, Altair Semiconductor, Cogent Communications, Cyber-Ark, Jacada, Navajo Systems, Netro, Playcast Media Systems, Precise, Qlipso, and XMPie.

In 2005, Forbes selected Margalit as the top-ranking non-American venture capitalist on its "Midas (The Golden Touch) List".[6] In 2010, TheMarker named him the best venture capitalist in Israel.[7]

In 2013, JVP signed an agreement to sell CyOptics Inc. to Avago Technologies, a developer of analog interface components, for $400 million.[8]

In 2018, JVP increases its 8th VC fund to $200m.[9]

In May 2019, JVP announced it would team up with Mars, Incorporated to invest in Israeli food technology.[10]

In February 2020, JVP opened the International Cyber Center in New York City, New York, Margalit Startup City New York.[11] In November 2020, JVP announced an expansion of the Margalit Startup City in Jerusalem.[12]

In September 2022, JVP opened a climate change center in its NYC location, in partnership with car company Mini and a startup accelerator called URBAN-X.[13]

Investments

Notable investments for JVP include CyberArk, Altair Semiconductor, Qlik and Cogent Communications.[14][15]

Exits (partial list)

See also

• Venture capital in Israel
• Silicon Wadi
• Science and technology in Israel