OurCrowd has been one of the most influential forces in Israeli tech for more than a decade. In a recent conversation at the firm’s Tel Aviv offices, Venture Partner Yuval offered an inside view of how the company operates, what makes it different from other venture firms, and why Israel continues to punch far above its weight in global innovation.
A Venture Model Designed to Open Doors
When founder Jon Medved launched OurCrowd, the idea was to give accredited investors worldwide access to early stage and growth stage startups. While the name suggests broad public participation, the platform is limited to accredited investors, who join investments through SPVs that OurCrowd builds and manages. This structure lets startups work with a single entry on the cap table and lets investors participate in rounds far larger than they could access on their own.
What OurCrowd Looks for in a Startup
Yuval described the first checkpoint as always the team. Ideas change rapidly in early stage companies, so he looks for founders who can adapt, absorb feedback, and grow with the product. Additional priorities include:
- A full product, not just a feature, especially critical in cybersecurity where many young startups offer narrow solutions.
- Unique technology or defensible IP that cannot be easily copied.
- A credible go to market strategy, especially in the United States, where Israeli selling styles often need to be recalibrated.
These factors together shape whether a company is positioned for global growth.
How OurCrowd Makes Its Money
Managing SPVs requires more administrative work than a typical VC fund. The firm charges carried interest, administrative fees, and an overall allocation of about ten percent that covers SPV management and investor services. This structure supports a global network of investors and allows them to participate in both early stage and late stage deals.
When a Startup Might Choose a Traditional VC Instead
Some founders still prefer a niche VC with deep industry specialization. Cybersecurity companies, for example, often seek out the small set of dedicated Israeli cyber investors who can open very specific customer doors. Yuval explained that OurCrowd counters this with an unusually broad network of senior technology leaders worldwide, along with the ability to place seasoned executives as advisors or board members. Still, founders who want a narrowly focused VC brand may find that model appealing.
The Rise of New VC Models and the Bootstrap Shift
Yuval sees the industry experimenting with new structures, including platforms that welcome non accredited investors. At the same time, more founders are choosing to bootstrap. Tools like generative AI and rapid development environments allow small teams to reach paying customers without raising early capital. This gives founders more leverage and lets them negotiate from a stronger position later on.
Where Israel Leads the World
After several years abroad, Yuval returned with a sharper appreciation for Israel’s strengths. He pointed to three areas where Israel is either leading or rapidly closing the gap.
Cybersecurity
Israel remains a global powerhouse, supported by military training, startup culture, and an ecosystem built for fast problem solving.
Artificial Intelligence
While foundational AI is dominated by the United States and China, Israel excels in enabling technologies. Yuval highlighted companies building AI hardware that runs on the edge and software that blends large and small language models. These innovations allow devices to process AI tasks locally, which improves speed, privacy, and cost.
Defense and Dual Use Technology
Autonomous systems, drones, robotics, and space technologies have accelerated quickly. The combination of defense expertise and cybersecurity maturity gives Israeli companies a strong global advantage.
The Next Wave of Cyber Threats
Yuval outlined several emerging risks that will shape the next decade:
- New access challenges created by AI agents
- Quantum computing’s threat to traditional encryption
- Expanding vulnerabilities in commercial satellite networks
- Cloud repatriation driven by data sovereignty concerns
- Ongoing breaches in digital asset exchanges and wallets
Each of these categories creates opportunities for founders who understand the technical and regulatory shifts underway.
What Yuval Learned Abroad
Living and working in Australia and Singapore gave Yuval a deeper understanding of cultural differences. Australia prioritizes collaboration and tends to resist individuals who stand out too strongly, a mindset often referred to as “tall poppy syndrome.” Israel, by contrast, rewards initiative and decisiveness.
Singapore felt closer to the Israeli rhythm. Its international environment values performance and speed, while still encouraging structure and planning. These experiences helped Yuval return to Israel with more balance. He focuses on creating space for his teams, managing pressure thoughtfully, and maintaining a healthier work life rhythm. He also volunteers as an EMT with Sal’a as a way to stay grounded and contribute locally.
Working with Jon Medved
Yuval described Medved as a founder with remarkable memory, high energy, and an ability to solve complex challenges quickly. Medved’s leadership style attracts strong executives who complement him, challenge him, and help scale the organization. Today, OurCrowd manages more than two billion dollars and has invested in more than five hundred startups. Yuval sees Medved’s mix of vision and persistence as a central reason for the firm’s success.
Closing Thoughts: The Strength of a Restless Ecosystem
Yuval’s perspective reflects a core truth about Israeli tech. The ecosystem grows because it never settles. Founders experiment with new company building models. Investors rethink how capital reaches startups. Talent moves between industries at speed. And Israel continues to push into sectors that demand both creativity and resilience.
OurCrowd sits in the center of that motion. Its model opens doors for investors, supports founders from incubation through late stage, and connects Israeli innovation with global markets. Yuval’s insights reveal a venture ecosystem that is not only adapting to change but helping drive it.
This spirit of constant reinvention is what keeps Israel at the front of global technology, and what makes conversations like this one essential for understanding where the next decade of innovation is heading.
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