Key1 Capital

It is a very proud moment for us at Key1 to announce the promotion of Aner Levkovich to Principal. Aner joined Key1 right at its inception as our very first associate, and over the last three years, he has proved himself time and time again. His thoughtful work both when it comes to investment decisions, as well as in supporting portfolio companies, for example with his comprehensive expertise in business analytics and strategic planning, is invaluable. More importantly, Aner embodies the culture we aim to cultivate here at Key1: a team player, a hard worker, curious, hungry, and an all-around great person. We truly believe that our success is rooted in our team, and witnessing our internal growth is a wonderful way to kick off the year. Congratulation Aner!

2024 has been a year that Israel’s tech industry lived and breathed the ethos '𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’. We've witnessed this across the board: innovation from fledgling startups, growth from mature companies, and appetite from local and global investors. Despite the challenges (and there were many), the Israeli ecosystem has proven its resilience, executing incredibly well.   For Key1, it's been a year of tremendous progress: our portfolio companies have thrived, we've celebrated our first exit, made three new team hires - and so much more! Scroll through for a high-level insight into some of our key highlights this year. Thank you to our community: our founders, LPs, and partners, for your unwavering support. 2025, we're oh-so-ready for you!

Consider the current (chaotic) macroeconomic environment: Interest rates remain elevated, inflation is cooling but still a concern, geopolitical tensions are simmering, and political uncertainty looms large. Economic growth is uneven, and geoeconomic fragmentation is accelerating. As founders, staying plugged into this turbulent landscape is crucial for staying ahead. It empowers you to: → Adjust pricing strategies agilely → Optimize operational efficiencies ruthlessly → Explore cost-saving measures strategically But deciphering the macroeconomic maze and its impact on your business can be overwhelming. Especially with the 7,896 other vital tasks demanding your attention today. That's why we've created a "Cheat Sheet for Founders" where we break down: 👉 Those key trends shaping the economy 👉 What they mean for startups 👉 Why they matter to your bottom line 👉 Where to track them efficiently All distilled into the most digestible format possible. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/dhVkBgqY

As a founder, understanding macroeconomics is a superpower. The Volatility Index, 10-Year Treasury Field, Budget Deficit, and Sovereign Credit Rating may all sound like distant economic jargon. Yet, each one of these has an impact on building your business from the ground up, especially in a dynamic macro landscape like the one we are currently experiencing. This is the theme of Amit Pilowsky’s latest piece: Why founders should care about macroeconomics. In it, he breaks down: ➡️ Why the macroeconomic environment influences so many critical aspects of your company’s journey. ➡️ How you, as a founder, can develop a clearer understanding of your macroeconomic landscape. It’s a lot to digest, especially considering the 1,789,803 moving parts every founder is juggling at any given time. So, in addition, we created a ‘Macroeconomics Cheat Sheet for Founders🤩’ where we decode key trends, what they mean, why they matter, and where to track them in the most digestible way possible. Give it a read and sharpen your ability to grow your company in all economic conditions → https://lnkd.in/dCxy5rpB

Yesterday, our Managing Partner Danny Akerman had the opportunity to speak to a room packed with students for the opening event of the TAU VC Club. From the basics of how a VC fund operates and how we have built our portfolio, to his personal backstory and motivations behind founding Key1, they covered it all! But in Danny's words, the best part of the evening was to feel the incredible energy of the students and their tremendous curiosity about the world of entrepreneurship and investing. We are always privileged to be part of student-led initiatives and hope for many more to come!

Today, we are excited to unveil our new digital home: https://lnkd.in/dSupbGK3 🎉 When we launched Key1 Capital in late 2021, our laser focus was on partnering with visionary founders disrupting industries. Over the past three years, we've forged incredible partnerships, made strategic investments, and expanded our Key1 team. As we've evolved, so too has our need to share our story more comprehensively. Our new website reflects our growth and showcases our values, portfolio companies, insights, and expanding team. We remain steadfastly committed to our partners, founders, and overall ecosystem, and this new website is an extension of that commitment, a place where we can better connect, share, and grow together.

Welcome Ofir Foggel to the Key1 team! 🎉 Ofir has been with Key1 for the past six months as an intern, and we are thrilled to announce his transition to Investment Analyst. His deep technological expertise and unwavering commitment to our ethos - being true partners to founders who think big and their industry-disrupting companies - will continue to be an asset to our team. Slide on to get to know him better ➡️

Recently, our managing partner, Amit Pilowsky, had the privilege of teaching the first VC course at Reichman University to students looking to become entrepreneurs or investors. In these challenging times, our thriving tech industry continues to be a beacon of strength and innovation - investing in Israel's next generation of resilient and capable tech leaders is more crucial than ever. See more about this new ongoing course and the impact on students (and lecturer!) in The Times of Israel piece →  https://lnkd.in/dk9Bjr2Y

Earlier this week, we hosted our third CFO roundtable, featuring CyberArk's financial powerhouses: Josh Siegel, CFO, and Rami Milrod Senior Director, Finance and Corporate Controller. Attended by some of the incredible CFOs in our ecosystem, the night was a masterclass in scaling finance operations for high-growth companies. Some of the most powerful key takeaways included: ➡️ Be the CEO’s “Co-Pilot”: Cultivate a strong relationship with the CEO from the outset, be part of every strategic decision-making process, and prioritize company growth and sustainability, even if it means making sacrifices within your CFO office. ➡️ Master the boardroom: Strengthen your credibility with the board and executive management by skillfully managing meetings and setting strategic agendas. ➡️ Evolve your finance function: While accounting and reporting are crucial early on, mature companies need a robust team of SVPs, FP&A experts, and trusted advisors. ➡️ Organizational fit between the Senior finance team and the executives is critical: Involve the executive team in the hiring process and leverage your network to find candidates who align with your company's DNA. ➡️ Invest in tech and talent: Prioritize implementing finance-enhancing IT systems and building a top-tier FP&A team early. ➡️ Finops in Focus: Finops has become a core focus area in controlling expenses, both for the CFO and IT organization.   Thanks to all of you who joined us and contributed to the discussion and of course, a special thanks to Josh and Rami for sharing their incredible insights and experiences gained through building a financial powerhouse at CyberArk.💪 Until the next one!

Last week, we gathered the extended Key1 Capital team for a festive Rosh Hashanah dinner. In light of the challenging year we've faced nationally, one which seems to get more complex by the week, taking the time to reflect on the dedication of our team members, Key1 and Ace Capital Partners, was incredibly meaningful. From our team to our community: May this year bring safety, health, and abundance for all. We pray for the safe return of our hostages, the safety of our soldiers, and a peaceful year ahead. Shana Tova 🍎