A new independent fund, managed by Dvash Group in strategic cooperation with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Yissum, will invest in breakthrough technologies emerging from the University and Israel’s broader innovation ecosystem. The fund will initially focus on deep tech, quantum technologies, dual-use technologies, and cybersecurity.

Dvash Group, led by Mr. Yoram Dvash, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, one of the world’s leading research institutions and home to Nobel Prize-winning scholars, today announced a strategic partnership to establish a new independent venture capital fund connected to the University and its research and innovation ecosystem. Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University, will represent the University in all matters related to the fund. The fund aims to raise $50 million.

Managed independently by Dvash Group The fund will initially focus on deep tech, quantum technologies, dual-use technologies, and cybersecurity - fields in which scientific innovation can generate significant commercial and societal impact.

The fund will invest in external deep-tech ventures with significant potential, technologies originating from the Hebrew University, and startups founded by Hebrew University alumni.

Dvash Group will lead the establishment and management of the fund, bringing its investment and business capabilities, proven venture investment experience, expertise in building international partnerships, and extensive global network. The group’s role will be to connect promising opportunities with the investment perspective, business expertise, and strategic relationships needed to help build globally competitive companies.

Through Yissum, the fund is expected to gain access to the Hebrew University’s research and innovation ecosystem, including early exposure to commercially promising researchers, opportunities to evaluate early-stage technologies, and connections with faculty, laboratories, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and alumni in Israel and around the world.

The partnership is designed to address one of the central challenges in deep-tech innovation: bridging the gap between promising scientific discoveries and the capital, commercial expertise, and industry connections required to turn them into successful companies. It combines Dvash Group’s investment leadership and international business capabilities with the Hebrew University’s scientific excellence, entrepreneurial talent, and Yissum’s expertise in technology transfer and commercialization.

The Hebrew University is Israel’s leading center of research and innovation. Technologies originating at the University have contributed to the creation of companies and products with global impact, including Mobileye, the cancer treatment Doxil, the Alzheimer’s treatment Exelon, and innovations in agriculture, cybersecurity, and quantum technology. Its research community, which over the years has included Nobel laureates and world-renowned scholars, continues to generate scientific breakthroughs with the potential to transform fields and markets.

Prof. Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said:
“The Hebrew University has always believed that outstanding research reaches its fullest potential when it creates meaningful impact beyond academia. This partnership creates an important new bridge between groundbreaking science, investment and entrepreneurship. By connecting our researchers, technologies and alumni with a dedicated investment platform, we aim to accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to companies capable of addressing major global challenges.”

Yoram Dvash, Chairman of Dvash Group, former President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and current Chairman of the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company in Botswana, said:
“Dvash Group has built its activity by connecting capital, strong partnerships, and execution capabilities in international markets. The establishment of this fund is an important step in the group’s continued development and reflects our commitment to investing in the next generation of Israeli innovation. Together with the Hebrew University and Yissum, we intend to identify exceptional technologies, both from Israel’s broader innovation ecosystem and from within the Hebrew University, and help ambitious entrepreneurs gain access to the investment, business guidance, and global connections needed to build meaningful companies.”

Alon Natanson, CEO of Yissum, said:
“At Yissum, we see every day the extraordinary potential created by research at the Hebrew University. This partnership connects that research excellence with Dvash Group’s investment leadership, business experience, and international network. Yissum will connect the fund with promising research and commercialization opportunities and help build the relationships needed to advance them from discovery to market.”

The fund will operate as a private, independent venture capital fund under the management and investment responsibility of Dvash Group. Investment decisions will be made independently by the fund’s management.

The parties also intend to explore additional initiatives to establish ventures based on Hebrew University research and technologies, and to hold events that bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.