Catalyst Investments is a private equity multi-fund firm that partners with and provides growth capital to mature, disruptive technology companies with an Israel nexus, supporting their long-term expansion into global markets. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Catalyst Investments founder and Managing Partner Eddy Cukierman to learn more.
Eddy Cukierman’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Cukierman said:
“I was born in Paris and moved to Israel at 18. I served in the IDF as a reserve officer as a spokesperson and a negotiator. I studied at the Technion and later at INSEAD.”
“I founded Cukierman & Co. Investment House in 1993, which is the largest investment bank in Israel, and co-founded Catalyst in 1999, one of the country’s leading private equity firms. Catalyst is one of the first Private Equity/ VCs in Israel. Cukierman has 11 branches around the world, and we have raised to-date $10.8 Billion for Israeli companies from foreign investors.”
“Beyond my professional life, I’m also the son of Roger Cukierman, who led the French Jewish community (as the President of CRIF), and served as VP of the World Jewish Congress. I’m the father of three sons – the eldest is Daniel Cukierman, Israel’s top tennis player, while the two younger ones are serving in the IDF: one is an officer in a special commando unit, and the other in the reserve forces. Recently, I published my 5th edition of the book Israel Valley in English: The Technology Shield of Innovation, exploring Israel’s tech-driven economy at a critical moment for its global image.”
Evolution Of The Firm’s Thesis
How has your firm’s thesis evolved over time? Cukierman noted:
“In our first fund we mostly targeted earlier stages. We understood early on that startups need to raise substantial amounts to survive and that they need to be lean and efficient in the bad times and when markets are closed. With this thesis and understanding, Catalyst began to target more mature companies and focus on later stages. With time we also introduced secondary investments and today our portfolio is mostly balanced with 50-50 primary vs secondary.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for your firm so far? Cukierman reflected:
“One amazing memory was going public with my First Fund in Paris, it was, in 1997, the first Israeli company which went public in Europe.”
“Another incredible moment was when Catalyst became the only Israeli fund to invest in Mobileye. Watching the company grow into a global pioneering leader in the automotive industry and later being acquired by Intel for $15.3 billion was historic – not just for us, but for Israeli tech overall. I also take great pride in our annual GoForIsrael Conference, which we’ve hosted for over 25 years, bringing Israeli entrepreneurs together with global investors and leaders. Our next edition will take place on October 26, 2026, in Miami, Florida, continuing this tradition on an even greater international stage.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of your firm’s most significant milestones? Cukierman cited:
- Becoming the largest Investment bank in Israel
- Founding Catalyst in 1999 and successfully navigating the dot-com crash and 2008 crisis.
- Investing in and exiting landmark companies such as Mobileye, Orex, OTI, Omrix, Tufin, Arbe & more.
- Growing Catalyst to $450M AUM
- Establishing the Catalyst Investors’ Club to give global investors privileged access to late-stage Israeli opportunities.
- Building a team where the same four founding partners have worked together for over two decades – unique in Israel’s VC landscape.
Investment Success Stories
Would you like to share any specific investment success stories? Cukierman highlighted:
“Certainly. Beyond Mobileye, we backed Taboola early and watched it become a global leader in digital advertising. Arbe Robotics, a radar technology company for autonomous vehicles, has been another success — we supported the company through its PIPE round as it went public. In deep tech and life sciences, Addionics (battery innovation) is a great example of how Israeli science-driven innovation scales globally.”
AUM
Can you discuss total AUM or any other metrics? Cukierman revealed:
“Catalyst manages about $450 million across its funds. Over the years, through Catalyst and the Cukierman Investment House, we’ve been involved in several billion dollars’ worth of fundraising and M&A transactions. In Catalyst III, 4 of 8 portfolio companies went public in the NASDAQ and one was acquired — a strong ratio (50%) of public-market outcomes.”
Industry Focus
What are some of the industries that your firm is focused on? Cukierman pointed out:
“We focus on growth-stage Israeli technology across mobility, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing/deep tech, and life sciences. Companies like Arbe, Nexar, Addionics, and Taboola reflect this scope. Israel’s strengths in AI, mobility, and healthtech make these sectors natural priorities.”
Differentiation From Other Firms
What differentiates Catalyst from other firms? Cukierman emphasized:
“Longevity and consistency. Both for Cukierman & Co. Investment House and for Catalyst.”
“Our Investment Bank differentiated to other local players by having a European and Asian focus for mid market hi-tech companies.”
“Catalyst is one of the oldest active Israeli growth funds, with the same four founding partners for over 23 years (out of 100 VC who opened in 1999 we are 1 out of 3 VC who lasted). We have a unique balance between primary and secondary investments, giving us flexibility. Our strong European investor base also differentiates us — most of our LPs are institutions and family offices from Europe, reflecting our international connectivity. Finally, we invest in building the next generation of Israeli fund managers within our own team.”
Challenges Faced
What are some of the challenges you faced while working at the firm? Cukierman acknowledged:
“We’ve been through several cycles: the 2000 dot-com crash, the 2008 global financial crisis, and most recently the post-2021 correction. Each time, we survived by being disciplined on valuations, focusing on cash management, and helping companies reach profitability without depending on quick capital markets access. In Israel today, geopolitical uncertainty has also reduced foreign capital inflows, but we continue to connect Israeli founders with long-term European and international partners who believe in the ecosystem.”
Future Firm Goals
What are some of your firm’s future goals? Cukierman concluded:
“We aim to continue and pursue late-stage investments. We also focus and try to increase the availability of private investments to private investors, using a new platform that we have developed called Catalyst Investors’ Club; www.catalyst-ic.com.”
