BRM investment firm is planning to increase its investment in start-ups in Israel and the United States, in order to establish a group of companies specialising in Internet, and able to contribute to one another. BRM founder Nir Barkat told "Globes" that the company is currently preparing to increase its investments, inter alia by co-opting another partner from the United States.
"By the end of Y2000, we will make 12-15 investments, in a sum total of $150 million, compared to two investments we made last year. All will be directed to Internet infrastructure, as we believe this to be Israel's field, and we as a group have a relative edge in it. But this time, in contrast to pervious years, we will invest not only in the seed stages. Eight investments will be made in the seed stage, and the rest in companies at more advanced stages", Barkat said.
BRM is owned by Nir Barkat, Eli Barkat, Charlie Federman and Yuval Rakavy. The plan is for another partner or two to be introduced this year, evidently from the United States.
BRM started out as a manufacturer of anti-virus software packages, prior to assisting in the set-up of Check Point. Today, two of the largest companies in which it is invested are Check Point, which supplies security systems to computer networks, and Backweb, which supplies content broadcasting solutions to large or decentralised organisations.
Published by Israel's Business Arena September 1, 1999