Dvash Group and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have announced a strategic partnership to establish a $50 million venture capital fund focused on deep technology, quantum computing, dual-use technologies, and cybersecurity. The independent fund will invest in startups originating from the university’s research ecosystem, businesses founded by its alumni, and promising deep-tech companies across Israel’s broader technology sector.
Under the agreement, Dvash Group will lead the establishment and management of the fund, contributing its investment experience, international business relationships, and global network. Yissum, the Hebrew University’s technology transfer company, will represent the university in all matters related to the fund and help identify research with commercial potential.
The partnership is designed to address a challenge facing deep-tech startups: securing the capital, commercial expertise, and industry relationships required to transform scientific discoveries into commercially viable businesses.
The new fund will gain access to the university’s research and innovation ecosystem, including opportunities to evaluate emerging technologies and establish relationships with faculty members, research laboratories, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and alumni.
Its initial investment strategy will concentrate on deep tech, quantum technologies, dual-use technologies, and cybersecurity, supporting entrepreneurs developing products based on advanced scientific research and specialized technical expertise.
The inclusion of dual-use technologies will allow the fund to consider innovations with both civilian and defense applications.
Although the fund will maintain close ties to Hebrew University, it will operate as a private, independent venture capital fund, with investment decisions made independently by its management.
This structure will enable the fund to pursue opportunities beyond the university while maintaining access to its research capabilities and technology commercialization infrastructure.
Yissum will play a central role in connecting the fund with researchers and identifying technologies that could benefit from additional investment and commercialization support.
The university’s technology transfer organization works with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners to bring academic research and intellectual property into commercial markets.
Its involvement will provide the fund with opportunities to evaluate research at an early stage, potentially before technologies have been incorporated into standalone businesses.
The partnership also provides an opportunity to support university alumni developing companies outside the institution.
Hebrew University has an established record of commercializing scientific discoveries and contributing to the development of technology companies and pharmaceutical products.
Its research and innovation ecosystem has contributed to businesses and products including Mobileye, the cancer treatment Doxil, and the Alzheimer’s disease treatment Exelon, alongside innovations in agriculture, cybersecurity, and quantum technology.
The new fund is intended to build on that foundation by creating an additional source of investment capital for researchers and entrepreneurs seeking to develop businesses based on advanced technologies.
For Dvash Group, the partnership represents an expansion of its investment activities and a further commitment to Israel’s technology and innovation sector.
Led by Yoram Dvash, the family-owned international investment and business group operates across technology investments, real estate, and infrastructure projects in Israel and international markets.
Dvash previously served as President of the Israel Diamond Exchange and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. He is also Chairman of Botswana’s state-owned Okavango Diamond Company.
His experience establishing international commercial relationships will form part of the fund’s strategy to connect emerging technology companies with investment, business guidance, and potential partners.
The partnership will seek to combine the university’s scientific research capabilities with Dvash Group’s investment resources and international network.
For early-stage companies developing technically complex products, those relationships may provide access to industry expertise, prospective customers, and additional capital as their businesses mature.
The initiative also reflects Hebrew University’s broader commitment to translating academic research into commercial applications.
The university serves more than 25,000 students from 90 countries and has a research community whose faculty and alumni have earned 10 Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal.
Through Yissum, the institution has established relationships with investors and commercial partners interested in applying academic discoveries to practical problems.
The planned venture capital fund will create another connection between university research and the investment community, supporting opportunities to establish new businesses based on technologies developed within and beyond the university.
The $50 million represents the planned fund size. The announcement did not disclose completed fundraising commitments, an initial closing date, or a timeline for its first investments.
KEY QUOTES:
“At Yissum, we see every day the extraordinary potential created by research at the Hebrew University. This partnership connects that research excellence with Dvash Group’s investment leadership, business experience, and international network. Yissum will connect the fund with promising research and commercialization opportunities and help build the relationships needed to advance them from discovery to market.”
Alon Natanson, CEO of Yissum
“The Hebrew University has always believed that outstanding research reaches its fullest potential when it creates meaningful impact beyond academia. This partnership creates an important new bridge between groundbreaking science, investment, and entrepreneurship. By connecting our researchers, technologies and alumni with a dedicated investment platform, we aim to accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to companies capable of addressing major global challenges.”
Professor Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
“Dvash Group has built its activity by connecting capital, strong partnerships, and execution capabilities in international markets. The establishment of this fund is an important step in the group’s continued development and reflects our commitment to investing in the next generation of Israeli innovation. Together with the Hebrew University and Yissum, we intend to identify exceptional technologies, both from Israel’s broader innovation ecosystem and from within the Hebrew University, and help ambitious entrepreneurs gain access to the investment, business guidance, and global connections needed to build meaningful companies.”
Yoram Dvash, Chairman of Dvash Group
