TAU Ventures (Photo by Eran Poppy)
The search for startups does not skip the investment funds of universities. TAU Ventures, the investment fund of Tel Aviv University, has announced the raising of a second fund of $ 50 million for investments in startups, which may grow to $ 70 million. The university says today that the fund operates in funding stages where there is a shortage of industry and invests the first money that goes into the company or after angels, with the emphasis for the fund is creating unique value for entrepreneurs thanks to various university resources.
The fund intends to invest in 15 to 25 companies of Israeli entrepreneurs, up to $ 1 million per venture as a first investment. TAU Ventures focuses on strong teams in a wide range of areas, with the understanding that at an early stage the product is expected to change so the emphasis is on the team and the field.
The investors in the fund are all investors of the previous fund led by Chartered Group, which unites behind it many leading entities from the Japanese industry, plus new investors, including Family Offices from the US, Canada and Europe.
TAU Ventures was founded in 2018 by the managing partner Nimrod Cohen, who previously led the first investments in companies such as YOTPO, BRINGG, WSC SPORTS, Coralogix, HOUSEPARTY together with Tel Aviv University. Following a very successful trend in the US that leading universities such as MIT, Berkeley and Stanford have established investment arms, Tel Aviv University also decided to establish an investment fund, with a desire to be a significant part of the early stages of venture capital in Israel.
The first fund of TAU Ventures, amounting to $ 20 million, began operating in 2018 and made 18 investments between them in companies: SWIMM, Xtend, Gaviti, MyAir, Castor, Medorion and more.
Nimrod Cohen, managing partner at TAU Ventures: “We are in a time when a lot of money is circulating in the market, but despite the misleading feeling, there is still a shortage of investors in the early stages in Israel. Both investors from growth funds , Still operate mainly in stages A or post-seed. They do not talk to entrepreneurs in the initial stages and want to see a product that has reached the market. We are covering this critical stage that allows new companies to emerge. ”
Ariel Porat, President of Tel Aviv University: “Tel Aviv University has set as a central goal in its strategic plan the strengthening of ties with the knowledge-rich industry and society, along with the promotion of international and multidisciplinary campus. TAU Ventures Investment Fund opens a significant window for entrepreneurs .
“It allows our students to integrate while studying practical experiences in the leading startups in the economy, and at the same time allows entrepreneurs to enjoy the diverse qualities on campus. I am happy that investors trust TAU Ventures The university and society as a whole. ”
According to Eyal Agmoni, Chairman of Chartered Group, the main investor in the first and second fund: “We are happy and proud to be the main investor in the second fund of Tao Ventures as well. In light of the success of the first fund, combined with the proof of the model in which we help young Israeli companies break into the Japanese market, it was natural to continue the successful cooperation and even strengthen it. “
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