Businessman Mati Kochavi, who owns technology companies AGT International and Logic Industries, has set up Moonscape Ventures to invest $120 million in Israeli start-ups. AGT operates in Internet of Things and Logic provides electronic sensors in the security sector.
Moonscape Ventures will make early stage investments in a wide variety of sectors related to the Internet of Things, including smart cities, big data and news and media technologies. First round investments will range from $500,000-$5 million.
Moonscape Ventures will be managed by Tammy Mahn, a leading investment professional with years of experience at Pitango Venture Capital and Evergreen Venture Partners, and Yonit Golub Serkin, who served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development for the City of New York during Michael Bloomberg’s Administration. There she worked to develop and implement policies to attract entrepreneurs, build the city’s angel fund and grow Silicon Alley.
Kochavi said, "Companies in the Moonscape portfolio will benefit from our deep experience, global network and partnership opportunities. By leveraging our unique access and experience, startups will be well poised to transform their innovative ideas into disruptive technologies."
Mahn said, "Moonscape Ventures will work with our portfolio companies to build the best team possible and leverage sector experts and international access to accelerate growth. Our company is founded on a long history of innovation and success and we’re pleased to offer that legacy to startups."
Moonscape Ventures also announced its first investment of $3.1 million in start-up Social Studios whose technology uses social media data and automatically creates and curates personalized video content.
Vocativ will be the first company to use SocialStudios’ technology to build a personalized video platform enabling its users to view content highly tailored to their interests and those of their close circles. Now in beta, SocialStudios will be incorporated in the Vocativ offering this fall.
Social Studios CEO Moshi Gelgo said, “Social Studios creates highly personalized video content and we’re excited to partner with Vocativ to bring our technology to millions of people throughout the world. We’re proud to join Moonscape’s portfolio as its first investment. The team is dedicated, knowledgeable and through them, we’ve had access to exciting opportunities that position us to grow quickly.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 20, 2014
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