“It's tough right now in Israel, but for the Jews, it's going to be tougher in Europe over time”
“It's tough right now in Israel, but for the Jews, it's going to be tougher in Europe over time”
Edouard Cukierman, Managing Partner of Catalyst Funds and Chairman of Cukierman Investment House, spoke to CTech about Israel, Europe, and the new “Netflix-type” platform he has launched to help boost foreign investment in Israeli startups.
As Jews around the world celebrate a new year amid the sadness of the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks, Managing Partner of Catalyst Funds and Chairman of Cukierman Investment House Edouard Cukierman has insisted that opportunities for Israeli companies remain prevalent.
Despite rising antisemitism rates in North America and Europe, Cukierman has announced the Catalyst Investors' Club (CIC), a platform designed for international investors to support Israel and invest in companies across a variety of industries. The intention is to offer accredited investors worldwide the opportunity to join its club and co-invest in new, handpicked companies that large venture funds have backed. The CIC also hosts innovative 90-second pitch videos displayed in a “Netflix-type” platform containing information on each company designed to attract younger generations with the help of generative AI.
“What's going on, especially the war, currently has a major impact on the industry,” said Cukierman. “This crisis has more impact than others [in the past] because it's a mix of different elements that have happened since 2021. Even though the interest rates are going down in the West… the high-tech sector is being affected. This, coupled with the proposed judicial reforms and now with the war, I think the impact on the industry is huge.”
Cukierman has had an established career in Israel since making Aliyah at the age of 18. He is the Managing Partner of Catalyst Funds, which manages $450 million in assets, and Chairman of Cukierman Investment House, which has raised over $10 billion for Israeli startups through 30 years of activity. Now, the CIC is aiming to boost the tech sector impacted by war by assisting with some of the $25 billion invested by the venture industry into younger and weaker companies that may not survive the current downtown.
“The state of Israel needs money to support what has been the engine of the growth of the Israeli economy, which is the high-tech industry,” Cukierman explained. “So this is the key reason why we think that a platform such as Catalyst Investment Club is essential to get the support of individuals all over the world who can invest in Israeli companies.” He said that the platform will help attract investors who show an interest in Israel but who may not be able to travel to the country due to the current situation.
He is also a prominent figure in French media frequently supporting Israel in the ongoing war with Hamas and Hezbollah. Based on experience from when he was spokesman of the IDF, he is already noticing major differences in the media when it comes to its attitude toward Israel today compared to his time in the military spotlight before social media. The hope, he tells CTech, is that the new platform can help persuade investment into the country despite the negative media onslaught shared on social media or by boycotts led by critics seeking to make Israel a pariah state.
“When I made Aliyah, only 4% of the population among the Jews were considering making Aliyah,” he said about France. “And, and then today as we are speaking, about 40% of the population are considering it. And even though it's tough right now in Israel, still, I understand that for the Jews, it's going to be tougher in Europe over time.”
The CIC aims to help Israelis raise money during this challenging period and also offer readers access to inflow. “This is, for me, the way of the future for international investors to support Israel and also invest in quality companies,” he said.
