Taylor Wessing and the British Embassy launch exclusive VC Club in Israel

Kontakt

Josef Fuss

Partner

London

Kontakt

Josef Fuss

Partner

London

7. Mai 2021

Taylor Wessing and the British Embassy launch exclusive VC Club in Israel

In partnership with the UK-Israel Tech Hub at the British Embassy, we have launched the VC Club – an exclusive invite-only platform that will facilitate bilateral relationships between VCs and investors from both countries.

To bridge this gap, the VC Club delivers UK and Israeli VCs and investors with curated networking opportunities and access to cutting-edge start and scale ups from both ecosystems through a collaborative platform for both countries to exchange knowledge and business intelligence on investment opportunities.

The firm's market leading expertise in the international VC markets and its extensive network in the technology sector enable this new opportunity for VCs and investors to expand their networks and their portfolios from two of the world's most prosperous tech hubs.

Co-Head of Taylor Wessing's International TMC Sector Group and VC partner Josef Fuss said: "As a leading VC and technology practice we have witnessed an increasing demand by UK investors for Israeli tech investment opportunities and at the same time the UK continues to be a premier choice for Israeli start and scale ups, it therefore makes a lot of sense for the investment communities in both countries to collaborate more closely. We are delighted to help facilitate that exchange and are very excited about the great potential ahead".

British Ambassador Neil Wigan said: “With the UK being both the number one destination for Israeli entrepreneurs in Europe and the second-largest foreign investor in Israel, we know investors on both sides want to step up engagement. We are delighted to support and facilitate the growing demand via this programme, which will promote familiarity and trust-based relationships”.

Avi Eyal, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Entrée Capital (IL VC and a VC club member): "There is a tremendous wave of digitalization and innovation between our two countries that has occurred over many decades. Entrée Capital has over a dozen investments in the UK that include Cazoo, Rapyd, ThoughtRiver, Dishpatch, Vyne Payments, and Generation Home. The proximity to Israel, similar legal systems, and English as the default spoken language all help to break barriers to doing business together. A company such as Rapyd is an ideal example of a UK company with operations in Israel, taking on the world. - only made possible due to the unique UK-Israel relationship".

Eze Vidra, Co-founder and Partner, Remagine Ventures (UK VC and a VC club member): "Remagine Ventures is delighted to be a launch partner in the new UK Israel VC Hub. Having presence in both London and Tel Aviv and investing at seed stage, we've experienced first-hand the benefits of building stronger bridges between the two hubs. There are already over 400 Israeli start-ups with presence in the UK, and we're just scratching the surface".

Notes to editors

The new VC club will:

Create opportunities for UK investors to better access the startup deal flow coming out of Israel
Create trust-based relationships between like-minded VC investors from both countries.
Identify strategic opportunities for Israeli VCs in the UK ecosystem (UK deal flow, advisory board)
Provide opportunities for knowledge sharing on market trends and business intelligence between UK and Israeli VCs.

How will it work?

The Hub will perform as an open information and communication channel between investors and VCs
The British Embassy will hold online and live events for investors and VCs from both countries
The Hub will facilitate one-on-one meetings between investors, founders and VCs from both countries

The VC club will hold an annual summit bringing together the Club members, founders and investors. The UK Israel Tech Hub, a UK government unit operating out of the British Embassy in Israel, has deep technological and business knowledge along with strong ties within the Israeli ecosystem across different industries: fintech, cyber security, healthcare, smart cities and mobility, as well as a variety of societal initiatives including climate change and diversity.