TLDR:
- Female venture capitalists like Renana Ashkenazi, Nofar Amikam, and Sapir Harosh are leading a shift in Israel’s VC sector, defying norms and driving innovation.
- While women are still a minority in the industry, the number of female partners in local VC funds has been increasing, surpassing 10% in recent years.
Something different was noticed at a recent gathering of Israel’s venture capital sector in Tel Aviv, where several babies accompanied female members on maternity leave to catch up on industry developments. Despite the male dominance in the industry, a paradigm shift is occurring with the rise of women like Renana Ashkenazi, Nofar Amikam, and Sapir Harosh, who have entered VC firms through the IDF’s 8200 intelligence unit and have established themselves as successful partners.
Renana Ashkenazi, a partner at Grove Ventures, recently returned from IDF reserves, while Nofar Amikam, a partner at Glilot Capital Partners, led an investment that ultimately resulted in a $265 million acquisition. Sapir Harosh, a partner at Third Point Ventures, signed an $18 million check, showcasing their impact on the VC landscape. Despite challenges such as imposter syndrome and competition, these women are focused on investing in early-stage startups, with an emphasis on deep tech, and believe that innovation will surge post-war, fueling the local ecosystem.
