Former Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi joins a Canadian venture capital fund AWZ projectsin a move that reflects a growing trend of retired senior Israeli security forces officers to enter the technology sector. Kochavi, who resigned as IDF Chief of Staff in January 2023, joins a list of former senior security forces officers including former Israeli Police Commissioner Roni Al-Sheikh.
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AWZ Founder and Managing Partner Yaron Ashkenazi said: “We are thrilled to have Major General (Res.) Aviv Kochavi join us. Aviv will greatly contribute his ability and experience to promoting our revolutionary deep technology projects and advanced portfolio companies.” Ashkenazi stressed his expected contribution to the development of AWZ’s international relations with leading organizations of global industry, research institutes and academic institutions.
Founded by Ashkenazi and Edward Sonshine in 2016, AWZ has become a major player in dual investment technology – serving both commercial and military markets. With a cumulative investment of $2 billion, the fund focuses on advanced areas such as quantum photonics, climate technologies, and medical technology. Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and intelligence.
One of AWZ’s successful Israeli investments was automated security verification company Pentera, which became a unicorn when it raised $150 million in 2022 at a $1 billion valuation. Other successes include quantum computing software company Classiq, which completed a $49 million funding round.
In 2021, AWZ established the X-Seed Fund with the Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) Directorate (MAFAT) of the Ministry of Defence. The fund, managed by Al Sheikh and former Shikun & Binui CEO Ofer Kotler, has raised $82.5 million to invest in defense and intelligence technologies with commercial potential.
Kochavi’s appointment comes at a critical time as demand for advanced defense technologies increases due to the wars in Israel and Ukraine.
Published by Globes, Israel Business News – en.globes.co.il – on December 2, 2024.
© Copyright Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2024.
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