Jerusalem Venture Partners
Corporate brand
UnclaimedJerusalem Venture Partners is an Israeli venture capital firm and startup-building platform investing in technology companies from early development through growth stages.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) is an Israeli venture capital firm founded in Jerusalem in 1993 by Erel Margalit. The firm invests in startup and growth-stage companies, with its stated areas of interest including cybersecurity, vertical artificial intelligence, enterprise software, fintech and insurtech. Rather than operating solely as a financial investor, JVP combines venture funding with an ecosystem model built around startup centers, incubators and business-support facilities. JVP has raised approximately $2.18 billion across ten funds, according to the referenced Wikipedia account. Its investment activity has produced a number of notable technology companies and exits. The firm's historical portfolio has included CyberArk, Qlik, Cogent Communications, Allot Communications, Altair Semiconductor, CyOptics, XtremIO, Chromatis Networks, Jacada, Navajo Systems, Netro, Playcast Media Systems, Precise, Qlipso and XMPie. Several of these investments became significant transactions in Israeli technology, including the sale of Chromatis Networks to Lucent Technologies for $4.8 billion, described in the reference material as the largest sale of an Israeli company at that time. JVP also participated in the development and eventual public offering of business-intelligence software company QlikTech. The firm has expanded beyond conventional fund management through the Margalit Startup City network. These centers are designed to bring together portfolio companies, entrepreneurs, corporations, investors and public-sector partners. They provide office infrastructure, mentoring, professional guidance and other operational support intended to help young companies commercialize and scale. JVP operates or has announced centers in Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva, New York City and Kiryat Shmona, while also developing the concept for additional international locations. JVP's international profile grew through its New York operations. In February 2020, it opened an International Cyber Center at Margalit Startup City New York, reflecting the firm's emphasis on cybersecurity and cross-border technology development. In November 2020, it announced an expansion of its Jerusalem startup center. In September 2022, its New York location added a climate-change center in partnership with Mini and the startup accelerator URBAN-X, broadening the platform's thematic focus beyond software and cybersecurity. The firm's investment and ecosystem activities have also included sector-specific partnerships. In May 2019, JVP announced a collaboration with Mars, Incorporated to invest in Israeli food technology. In May 2021, founder Erel Margalit met French officials, including Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, to discuss the possibility of establishing a Startup City in Paris. These initiatives illustrate JVP's effort to connect Israeli innovation with multinational corporations, foreign governments and international startup communities. JVP is privately held and is not represented by a public stock ticker. Its identity is closely associated with Israel's technology sector, venture capital industry and the broader Silicon Wadi ecosystem. The available reference material does not establish a complete current executive roster, a standalone corporate website, or the precise legal structure of each Startup City location.
History
Jerusalem Venture Partners was established in Jerusalem in 1993 by Erel Margalit as a venture capital firm focused on building and financing technology companies. Its development took place within Israel's expanding technology economy, where venture funds increasingly served as bridges between local entrepreneurs and international capital markets. JVP's investment model covered both startup companies and businesses approaching commercial scale. During its early and middle years, JVP backed companies across communications, software, semiconductors, networking and enterprise technology. Its portfolio included Allot Communications, Altair Semiconductor, Cogent Communications, CyberArk, Qlik, Jacada, Navajo Systems, Netro, Playcast Media Systems, Precise, Qlipso and XMPie. The firm became particularly associated with high-value technology exits. It oversaw the initial public offering of business-intelligence software company QlikTech. It also backed Chromatis Networks, which was sold to Lucent Technologies for $4.8 billion; the reference material identifies that transaction as the largest sale of an Israeli company at the time. JVP continued to participate in major Israeli technology transactions in the following decade. XtremIO, a storage technology company established in 2009 and backed by JVP, was sold to EMC Corporation in May 2012 for a reported $430 million. In 2013, JVP agreed to sell CyOptics to Avago Technologies for a reported $400 million. These exits reinforced the firm's profile as an investor capable of supporting companies through development and into acquisition by major global technology groups. The firm's founder also gained recognition within the venture capital industry. Forbes selected Margalit as the highest-ranking non-American venture capitalist on its 2005 Midas List, according to the cited material. In 2010, Israeli business publication TheMarker named him Israel's best venture capitalist. These recognitions contributed to JVP's visibility beyond Israel. JVP expanded its fund platform over time. In 2018, it increased the size of its eighth venture capital fund to $200 million. The referenced Wikipedia article describes the firm as having raised close to $2.18 billion across ten funds, although the available material does not provide a complete fund-by-fund chronology or a current assets-under-management figure. A defining later development was the creation of Margalit Startup City. These facilities combine investment activity with startup incubation, office space, mentoring, business guidance and connections to corporations and public institutions. JVP established or operated centers in Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva, New York City and Kiryat Shmona. This approach positioned the firm as both an investor and an operator of innovation infrastructure. In May 2019, JVP partnered with Mars, Incorporated on investment in Israeli food technology, demonstrating an effort to apply its platform to industry-specific corporate collaboration. In February 2020, JVP opened an International Cyber Center at Margalit Startup City New York. Later that year it announced an expansion of the Jerusalem Startup City. In May 2021, Margalit met French officials to discuss a possible Paris location, indicating an ambition to export the Startup City model internationally. In September 2022, JVP added a climate-change center at its New York site with Mini and URBAN-X. This extended the platform into climate and urban innovation while retaining the firm's emphasis on startup development. JVP remains a private venture capital organization. The available reference material confirms its main investment themes and locations but does not identify a complete current management team, detailed fund terms, or a confirmed corporate website. Its historical importance rests on the combination of Israeli technology investing, prominent portfolio exits and the construction of physical startup ecosystems linking local companies with international partners.
- 2022
Climate-change center opens in New York
[1]JVP establishes a climate-change center in New York with Mini and URBAN-X.
- 2021
Paris Startup City discussions
[1]Erel Margalit discusses a possible Startup City in Paris with French government officials.
- 2020
International Cyber Center opens in New York
[1]JVP launches an International Cyber Center at Margalit Startup City New York.
- 2020
Jerusalem Startup City expansion announced
[1]JVP announces an expansion of its Jerusalem Startup City facility.
- 2019
Food-technology partnership with Mars
[1]JVP teams with Mars, Incorporated to invest in Israeli food-technology ventures.
- 2018
Eighth fund reaches $200 million
[1]JVP increases the size of its eighth venture capital fund to $200 million.
- 2013
CyOptics is sold to Avago Technologies
[1]JVP agrees to the sale of CyOptics to Avago Technologies for a reported $400 million.
- 2012
XtremIO is sold to EMC
[1]JVP-backed storage technology company XtremIO is acquired by EMC Corporation in a reported $430 million transaction.
- 2010
TheMarker names Margalit Israel's leading venture capitalist
[1]TheMarker recognizes Margalit as the best venture capitalist in Israel.
- 2005
Margalit receives recognition on the Forbes Midas List
[1]Forbes identifies Erel Margalit as the highest-ranking non-American venture capitalist on its Midas List.
Products and positioning
An Israel-centered venture capital and innovation platform that combines technology investment with physical startup ecosystems, corporate partnerships and international market access.
Venture capital · 1993
JVP Venture Capital Funds
JVP's core offering is a series of private venture capital funds investing in technology startups and growth-stage companies. The firm's stated focus areas include cybersecurity, vertical artificial intelligence, enterprise software, fintech and insurtech. The available reference material says JVP has raised close to $2.18 billion across ten funds.
Startup ecosystem
Margalit Startup City
Margalit Startup City is JVP's network of startup centers and business-support environments. The centers provide workspace, mentoring, guidance and connections for portfolio companies and other entrepreneurs, and are intended to connect startups with corporations, investors and public institutions. Locations referenced include Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva, New York City and Kiryat Shmona.
Cybersecurity innovation center · 2020
International Cyber Center
Opened in New York in 2020, the International Cyber Center is a specialized JVP platform for cybersecurity companies and related innovation activity. It operates within Margalit Startup City New York and reflects the firm's effort to connect Israeli cybersecurity capabilities with international markets and partners.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022New York Climate Innovation Center
United States
JVP launched a climate-change center at Margalit Startup City New York with Mini and URBAN-X, extending its startup-platform model into climate and urban innovation.
Outcome. The source confirms the center's opening but does not provide outcome metrics or a subsequent program history.
- 2019Israeli Food Technology Partnership
Israel
JVP partnered with Mars, Incorporated to invest in Israeli food-technology companies, combining the venture firm's local startup network with a multinational food company's industry reach.
Outcome. The available reference material confirms the partnership announcement but does not document a complete list of resulting investments or its later status.
Brand decisions
2022
Extend the platform into climate innovationStrategyBackground
JVP broadened its Startup City model beyond its established cybersecurity and software emphasis.
Action taken
The firm opened a climate-change center in New York with Mini and URBAN-X.
Aftermath
The source confirms the launch but does not report subsequent portfolio or program outcomes.
2020
Expand the Startup City platform internationallyStrategyBackground
JVP was developing physical startup ecosystems alongside its venture funds and sought a stronger international presence.
Action taken
The firm opened an International Cyber Center in New York and announced an expansion of its Jerusalem Startup City.
Aftermath
The initiatives strengthened the platform's presence in cybersecurity and startup support, but the source does not quantify their operating results.
2019
Enter food-technology investment partnership with MarsStrategyBackground
JVP sought to apply its Israeli startup network to a sector with strong participation by multinational consumer and food companies.
Action taken
JVP agreed to work with Mars, Incorporated on investments in Israeli food technology.
Aftermath
The reference material does not establish the partnership's later investment results.
2018
Increase the eighth venture capital fundStrategyBackground
JVP continued expanding its investment capacity as its portfolio and sector focus developed.
Action taken
The firm increased its eighth venture capital fund to $200 million.
Aftermath
The available material does not provide subsequent fund performance or deployment figures.
Fund size. $200 million (2018)
Recent events
Reported
Upsolver completes $13 million Series A financing[2]
Upsolver announced that it completed a $13 million Series A financing round led by Vertex Ventures U.S., with Jerusalem Venture Partners and Wing Venture Capital participating.
Reported
Rezilion announces $8 million seed funding[3]
Rezilion announced $8 million in seed funding led by Jerusalem Venture Partners. The company said the investment would be used to expand its R&D team in Israel and build sales operations and support in the US.
Sources4 sources
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