IL Tech in NY
Maccabee Ventures: “Israeli founders are typically technological geniuses”
The VC joined CTech as part of its IL Tech in NY series in collaboration with Israeli Mapped in NY.
“Israeli entrepreneurs bring world-class technical expertise and a problem-solving approach, while New York offers access to many of the leading Fortune 500 companies, Wall Street, and a vibrant technology ecosystem,” explained Maccabee Ventures. “New York has emerged as the leading gateway for Israeli startups looking to expand from local success to global prominence.”
The VC joined CTech as part of its IL Tech in NY series in collaboration with Israeli Mapped in NY. Inspired by the historical Maccabees, it seeks entrepreneurs who are unafraid to challenge the status quo.
“Israeli founders are typically technological geniuses graduating from the elite units in the IDF but have the challenge of being 6,000 miles away from the NYC ecosystem and the leading financial center globally.”
You can read the entire interview below.
Fund ID
Name and Type of VC: Maccabee Ventures is a New York City-based early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to investing in exceptional entrepreneurs building category-defining companies across North America and Israel.
Main Sectors of Investment: Maccabee Ventures’ focus areas include: SilverTech, Fintech, Cybersecurity, AI/ML, and Enterprise/B2B SaaS.
Names of Managing Partners: Moshe Bellows, Bruce Taragin
Partners and/or Other Backers: Maccabee Ventures is supported by a diverse network of institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals who share our mission of identifying and backing high-growth startups in North America and Israel.
Year of Founding/Start of NY Operations: Founded in 2019.
Total Sum of Investments/Size, Number of Funds: Maccabee Ventures is actively investing out of its second fund with typical investment sizes ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 which includes reserves for follow-on rounds, with over 35 investments to date.
Number/Size of Rounds Led: Maccabee Ventures does not lead funding rounds, but works collaboratively and cooperatively with its venture peers.
General Background on the Organization, Its Managers, Its Founders, and Partners: Inspired by the historical Maccabees, we seek bold entrepreneurs who are unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Founded by two Yeshiva University Alumni, Bruce Taragin and Moshe Bellows, our mission is to build a top-quartile early-stage venture fund by actively assisting these emerging companies in achieving market penetration and scale by leveraging the global 70,000+ network of alumni, faculty, and student interns who provide valuable support and act as an extension of the team.
Bruce and Moshe have served as adjunct professors at Yeshiva University's Sy Syms School of Business for the past seven years, developing and delivering a comprehensive year-long venture curriculum that equips students with cutting-edge industry knowledge and practical skills.
Maccabee Ventures’ global network, 240+ and growing Maccabee Ventures course alumni, and our advisory committees, enable us to offer portfolio companies strong connectivity for talent acquisition, potential client introductions, and co-investment - our “Trifecta of Added Value.”
Our GP's diverse expertise in entrepreneurship, operations, law, finance, real estate, healthcare, family office, and venture capital allows us to offer startup founders end-to-end support throughout all stages of their company's development. The General Partners have extensive experience as early-stage investors, with a proven track record of guiding numerous companies from pre-revenue/pre-product stages through IPO, including many that have exceeded one billion dollars in market capitalization.
The VC Vision:
Our vision is to collaborate with visionary founders, many within the Israeli entrepreneurial ecosystem, to build globally impactful companies. Beyond capital investment, we offer mentorship, strategic connections, and hands-on support to help startups scale in competitive markets.
What types of Israeli startups/entrepreneurs are you interested in?
We look for passionate Israeli founders with a global mindset who are typically in the B2B space with patience to build billion-dollar companies and become market leaders in their respective categories.
Why invest in an Israeli company in New York? What advantages do such companies have? How is the New York market different from the Israeli market?
Israeli entrepreneurs bring world-class technical expertise and a problem-solving approach, while New York offers access to many of the leading Fortune 500 companies, Wall Street, and a vibrant technology ecosystem. New York has emerged as the leading gateway for Israeli startups looking to expand from local success to global prominence.
How do Israeli entrepreneurs/startups differ from their local counterparts?
Israeli founders are typically technological geniuses graduating from the elite units in the IDF but have the challenge of being 6,000 miles away from the NYC ecosystem and the leading financial center globally. Maccabee Ventures, being based in New York, aims to assist and accelerate that crucial early stage of go-to-market and help locate those first customers and partners to ensure product market fit as expeditiously as possible.
How do you assess the risk involved in investing in Israeli companies in the current situation?
Israel has consistently remained one of the leading centers for technology innovation on a global scale and the founders at Maccabee Ventures remain committed to investing in the best and brightest companies coming out of Silicon Wadi. Bellows and Taragin have the unique experience of investing in Israeli startups for the last 30 years through multiple cycles, wars, pandemics, and recessions and are unwavering in that commitment.
Are there any legal or regulatory considerations that you take into account when investing in Israel?
Israel, for the most part, mirrors the US market and Maccabee Ventures works with the top tax and regulatory advisors both in the US and Israel to advise them where needed.
Are there global trends that influence your decisions to invest in Israeli high-tech?
Israel has established itself as Startup Nation, particularly in cybersecurity, has evolved to a fintech nation, and is now innovating across all areas of AI. As such, we are confident the future remains bright.
We are in the midst of the AI revolution. Do Israeli companies have an advantage in this sector, or is there actually room for improvement?
Israel holds a strong competitive advantage in AI, largely due to its elite military intelligence units (such as Unit 8200, 81, Prime Minister's Office, etc.) and a thriving ecosystem of AI researchers and engineers. Maccabee Ventures is excited to collaborate with local funds and entrepreneurs and to help Israeli entrepreneurs penetrate the NY market.
Two suggestions for Israeli entrepreneurs on what to do in New York:
- Network aggressively – NYC thrives on connections. Attend industry meetups, pitch events, and build relationships with investors, potential customers, and strategic partners.
- Work with local partners/investors – Having a local investment partner to cooperate with Israeli investors and founders is a proven recipe for long-term success.
Two suggestions for Israeli entrepreneurs on what not to do in New York:
- Don’t delay your visit to NYC – Visit New York even before you have an actual product and customers to begin the process of partnering with local investors and partners.
- Don’t overpromise to your prospective customers – Always over-communicate and be transparent with your US customers, partners, and investors so you are well positioned for success and satisfaction which will ultimately lead to more satisfied customers.
Examples of 2-3 of your most successful investments:
Maccabee Ventures is proud to be early investors in Agora Real Estate, Eleos Health and FundGuard.
In each instance, Maccabee made an early investment and executed its commitment to our “Trifecta of Added Value” by making significant client introductions (often during due diligence), meaningful introductions to top talent, and co-investment partners. Finally, we are very happy to have Maccabee Ventures student alumni contributing to and excelling at several portfolio companies.
