IL Tech in NY
Insight Partners: “Israeli founders don’t just move fast—they redefine what’s possible”
Daniel Aronovitz, Managing Director at Insight Partners, joined CTech for its IL Tech in NY series published in collaboration with Israeli Mapped in NY.
“Israeli founders have a proven ability to operate in high-pressure environments, adapt quickly, and build global businesses from day one,” said Daniel Aronovitz, Managing Director at Insight Partners. “The resilience of these entrepreneurs has been particularly evident in the past year. Despite extraordinary challenges, they continue to push forward, lead their teams, and execute at the highest levels.”
Insight Partners is a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software, and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. The VC fund joined CTech as part of its IL Tech in NY series published in collaboration with Israeli Mapped in NY.
“Israeli founders don’t just move fast—they redefine what’s possible. Many have deep technical roots from elite military units and research institutions, making them world-class in cybersecurity, AI, and infrastructure software,” he added.
You can read the entire interview below.
Fund ID
Name and type of VC: Insight Partners; global software investor with a stage-agnostic and flexible capital approach.
Main fields of investment: Software is our bread and butter—it transcends verticals, stages, and geographies.
Names of managing partners: Insight Partners was co-founded in 1995 by Jeff Horing and Jerry Murdock. Jeff is a managing director at Insight and Jerry is an advisor to the firm. To date, Insight has numerous managing directors helping guide the firm’s investment strategy and supporting our portfolio companies.
Partners and/or other backers: There are two managing directors in Insight’s Tel Aviv office: Liad Agmon and Daniel Aronovitz.
Year of founding/start of NY operations: 1995
Total sum of investments/size, number of funds: Insight Partners has raised 13 flagship funds and has invested in 800+ companies at all stages of growth.
Median investment amount/Average investment in startups: Insight’s typical check size ranges from $5 million to $500 million+.
Number/size of rounds led: Insight has invested in 800+ companies.
General background on the organization, its managers, its founders and partners:
Insight Partners is a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software, and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. As of September 30, 2024, the firm has over $90B in regulatory assets under management. Insight Partners has invested in more than 800 companies worldwide and has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve an IPO.
Headquartered in New York City, Insight has offices in London, Tel Aviv, and the Bay Area. Insight's mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with tailored, hands-on software expertise along their growth journey, from their first investment to IPO.
The VC vision:
Insight Partners was founded 30 years ago in a modest New York City office with a bold vision: to be more than just investors. Forget transactional—we aspired to be transformational.
Back then, software wasn’t the ubiquitous force it is today. But we believed in its unbound potential to shape industries, communities, and economies. We committed to helping the companies driving this transformation scale and thrive.
Today, that vision is a reality—software is the backbone of everything we do. Insight’s strategy is built on the enduring belief in the revolutionary power of software. Whether it’s reshaping an industry or improving lives, software powers the future, and software is powered by Insight.
What types of Israeli startups/entrepreneurs are you interested in?
For 30 years, Insight has been investing across the software spectrum—from early-stage to IPO—backing visionary founders who are building category-defining companies. While cybersecurity has long been a cornerstone of Israeli tech, we are seeing a surge in vertical SaaS and AI-driven startups tackling industry-specific challenges with deep innovation.
Israeli founders have a proven ability to operate in high-pressure environments, adapt quickly, and build global businesses from day one. The resilience of these entrepreneurs has been particularly evident in the past year. Despite extraordinary challenges, they continue to push forward, lead their teams, and execute at the highest levels.
Insight's commitment to Israeli founders has never been stronger. Our Tel Aviv office—Insight’s first investment outside of our New York headquarters—reflects our deep conviction in Israel’s role as a global software innovation hub. We back founders who take bold risks, move fast, and scale globally.
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?
Insight Partners has a unique vantage point: we are based in New York, one of the world’s largest enterprise tech and financial hubs, while maintaining deep roots in Israel. This dual perspective allows us to help Israeli startups bridge the gap between technical excellence and global scale.
New York is a strategic gateway for Israeli founders. It offers access to Fortune 500 customers, top-tier sales and GTM talent, and a deep capital ecosystem. Many of Israel’s most successful companies—including Wix, Monday.com, Own Company, and Wiz—recognized early that a strong presence in New York accelerates commercial growth.
The key difference between the two markets is the transition from a product-driven approach to a commercially sophisticated one. Israeli startups excel at deep tech innovation, but scaling in the U.S. requires mastery of enterprise sales, customer relationships, and strategic partnerships. Founders who embrace this shift unlock massive opportunities.
How do Israeli entrepreneurs/startups differ from their local counterparts?
Israeli founders don’t just move fast—they redefine what’s possible. Many have deep technical roots from elite military units and research institutions, making them world-class in cybersecurity, AI, and infrastructure software.
What differentiates them is their ability to operate in uncertainty, solve complex problems under pressure, and challenge conventional thinking. However, where Israeli startups typically need to level up is in GTM execution. The best founders recognize that while deep tech gets you in the door, enterprise sales, branding, and market positioning are what drive sustainable growth. Those who invest early in U.S.-based sales talent and refine their GTM strategy scale the fastest.
How do you assess the risk involved in investing in Israeli companies in the current situation?
Every investment carries risk, but what we’ve seen in Israeli tech over the past year isn’t just resilience—it’s extraordinary leadership. Founders are leading under unimaginable circumstances, balancing their companies, their families, and military reserve duty, while continuing to innovate at a world-class level.
History shows that Israeli tech doesn’t just weather crises—it emerges stronger. The core strengths of the ecosystem remain intact: exceptional talent, deep technical expertise, and a relentless drive to solve big problems.
In 2024 alone, the M&A market for Israeli startups reached new peaks, with multiple Fortune 500 buyers acquiring Israeli companies. Examples from Insight’s portfolio include Salesforce’s acquisition of Own Company and NVIDIA’s acquisitions of Run:AI and Deci, to name a few. This underscores a fundamental truth: great businesses will continue to attract capital and strategic buyers, regardless of short-term volatility.
Insight remains committed to investing in Israeli startups—not despite the current situation, but because of the talent, resilience, and innovation emerging from Israel.
How does the political and economic situation in Israel affect your investment decisions? Have you experienced a change in investment trends in Israel following the political and security situation?
While some Israeli startups are incorporating in the U.S. earlier or diversifying their teams, one thing remains clear: Israel’s innovation engine is as strong as ever. The world still looks to Israel for the next wave of cybersecurity leaders, tech pioneers, and enterprise software disruptors.
Our conviction in Israeli tech has only deepened. The best founders are navigating uncertainty with discipline and clarity, and we continue to back those who are building market-defining businesses.
Are there any legal or regulatory considerations that you take into account when investing in Israel?
As a global investor, we ensure compliance with all relevant regulations in both Israel and the U.S. We work closely with top-tier advisors to navigate evolving policies and structure our investment for long-term success.
How do you deal with possible law/regulation changes in Israel?
Adaptability is key. Similar to the above, we stay ahead of regulatory shifts through close engagement with legal experts and advisors, and by maintaining flexible investment structures. Our focus is always on backing founders who can execute in dynamic environments.
Are there global trends that influence your decisions to invest in Israeli high-tech?
Yes, several macro trends reinforce Israel’s position as a global tech leader:
- AI’s transformative impact – Israeli companies are driving AI innovation across categories, helping to reinvent industries and business models.
- Cybersecurity as a strategic priority – With rising global cyber threats, Israeli startups continue to set the standard for security innovation.
- The vertical SaaS boom – We are seeing a surge in vertical SaaS startups from Israel, tackling industry-specific challenges with deep expertise and innovative solutions.
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 has an edge in AI, particularly in applied AI, cybersecurity, and data infrastructure. The country’s deep expertise in algorithms, data science, and machine learning makes it a powerhouse in AI development.
However, commercialization remains the key challenge. The best AI companies won’t just build superior technology—they will master GTM execution, enterprise adoption, and global expansion. Israeli founders who combine AI innovation with strong business execution will lead the next wave of AI-driven transformation.
Two suggestions for Israeli entrepreneurs on what to do in New York:
- Expand your network beyond Israeli founders – New York has one of the most diverse startup ecosystems in the world. Engaging with founders and executives outside of the Israeli network provides fresh perspectives and valuable insights.
- Fully commit to the U.S. market – If your primary customers and partners are in the U.S., one of the founders should temporarily relocate to New York or another major hub. The most successful Israeli startups have a strong presence close to their buyers but never forget where home is.
Two suggestions for Israeli entrepreneurs on what not to do in New York:
- Don’t make rash senior U.S. hires – Finding the right GTM leadership is critical. Take the time to hire sales and executive talent that fits your company culture and understands enterprise scaling.
- Don’t assume your tech sells itself – Product superiority alone isn’t enough. Mastering storytelling, brand positioning, and customer relationships is essential for scaling in the U.S. market.
Examples of your most successful investments:
- Monday.com
- Own Company
- SentinelOne
