Key Takeaways
- • David Group, a newly launched private equity firm based in Herzliya, Israel, secured capital commitments ahead of its official founding to target mature Israeli and Israel-related businesses outside the technology sector.
- • The firm is led by Stella Cohen, formerly co-head of private equity for EMEA at J. Safra Group and an ex-principal on the direct investments team at La Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec, with former Goldman Sachs partner Raanan Agus serving as chairman.
- • David Group will focus on four core sectors: financial services, defense, industrials, and tech-enabled business services, targeting Israeli-founded or Israeli-led companies with significant operations or assets tied to Israel.
- • The firm's launch reflects a strategic pivot toward non-technology sectors within the Israeli investment landscape, addressing a market gap in mature business acquisition and development outside the traditionally dominant tech ecosystem.
Summary
David Group has launched as a dedicated private equity platform targeting mature Israeli and Israel-related businesses, marking a strategic departure from the technology-centric investment focus that has historically dominated the Israeli private equity landscape. The Herzliya-based firm secured capital commitments prior to launch, positioning itself to capitalize on acquisition opportunities across underserved sectors.
The firm is led by experienced institutional capital managers. Stella Cohen, the founding principal, brings substantial pedigree from her role as co-head of private equity for EMEA at the J. Safra Group, one of the world's largest family offices, and her prior tenure as a principal on the direct investments team at La Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec, Canada's second-largest pension fund manager. Raanan Agus, a former Goldman Sachs partner, serves as chairman, providing additional institutional credibility and access to deal networks.
David Group's investment thesis encompasses four primary sectors: financial services, defense, industrials, and tech-enabled business services. The firm's mandate specifically targets Israeli-founded or Israeli-led companies with significant operational or asset bases tied to Israel, establishing a clear geographic and operational focus while remaining open to internationally distributed enterprises with Israeli roots or control.
The firm's launch reflects evolving capital allocation patterns within Israeli investing, where institutional capital has increasingly sought opportunities beyond the high-growth, venture-scale technology companies that have dominated fundraising narratives. By targeting mature, profitable businesses with established revenue streams across defensive sectors such as financial services and defense, David Group is positioning itself to address institutional investor demand for cash-generating assets with lower volatility profiles than typical venture-backed growth companies.
The firm is led by experienced institutional capital managers. Stella Cohen, the founding principal, brings substantial pedigree from her role as co-head of private equity for EMEA at the J. Safra Group, one of the world's largest family offices, and her prior tenure as a principal on the direct investments team at La Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec, Canada's second-largest pension fund manager. Raanan Agus, a former Goldman Sachs partner, serves as chairman, providing additional institutional credibility and access to deal networks.
David Group's investment thesis encompasses four primary sectors: financial services, defense, industrials, and tech-enabled business services. The firm's mandate specifically targets Israeli-founded or Israeli-led companies with significant operational or asset bases tied to Israel, establishing a clear geographic and operational focus while remaining open to internationally distributed enterprises with Israeli roots or control.
The firm's launch reflects evolving capital allocation patterns within Israeli investing, where institutional capital has increasingly sought opportunities beyond the high-growth, venture-scale technology companies that have dominated fundraising narratives. By targeting mature, profitable businesses with established revenue streams across defensive sectors such as financial services and defense, David Group is positioning itself to address institutional investor demand for cash-generating assets with lower volatility profiles than typical venture-backed growth companies.
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