OUR TEAM

INTRODUCTORY

Our story began when Imad Telhami, businessman and founder of Babcom Centers, conceived an unprecedented partnership between the founders of the two largest investment funds in Israel: Chemi Peres, founder of Pitango Venture Capital and Dr. Erel Margalit, founder of Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP). Together they forged a plan to champion promising Arab-Israelis in the booming high-tech sector for the betterment of all of Israel.

The team is now comprised of a dedicated team of entrepreneurs and business leaders who abide by Takwin Venture’s mission and vision.

INVESTMENT BOARD

Meet the team committed to identifying and uplifting today and tomorrow’s high-potential Arab-Israeli entrepreneurs.

CHEMI PERES

Co-Founder and Head of the Investment Committee

Managing General Partner, Co-Founder of Pitango Venture Capital; Founder and Chairman, Amelia Fund; Chairman, Al Bawader Investment Fund; has served on the boards of several NASDAQ companies; He currently serves on the boards of numerous Pitango portfolio companies and several not-for-profit organizations, and as the Chairman of the Peres Center for Peace.

IMAD TELHAMI

Co-founder & Chairman

Co-Founder & Chairman, Babcom Centers (~2000 employees); formerly Chief Operating Officer, Delta Galil Industries; active leader helping empower and integrate Israeli Arabs successfully in both the local and global economy. A member of the Board of Directors of numerous public companies.

EREL MARGALIT, PHD

Co-Founder, Investment Committee
Erel N. Margalit, Ph.D. founded JVP over 24 years ago, and is one of the chief architects of the startup nation, bringing innovation and entrepreneurial leadership to the country’s most pressing political, economic, and social challenges. Chosen for the Forbes Midas list and by Israel’s prestigious business newspaper as its “first venture capitalist with the golden touch”, Erel has led numerous global exits as Managing Partner of JVP, including establishing the first state-sponsored incubator as part of the famed JVP family of funds, creating the Media Quarter in Jerusalem, and leading the cyber security effort in Be’er Sheva.

HASSON HASSON

Investment Committee
A highly decorated Brigadier General (ret.) who served in the IDF’s Special Services for over 36 years. Served as Army Secretary of Israel’s president. A prominent leader in the Druze society, engaged in promoting employment and education initiatives in the Druze and Arab sectors in Israel.

ITZIK FRID

Managing Partner and CEO

A board member of numerous companies, including all of Takwin’s portfolio companies. Formerly Senior Advisor to the Minister of Finance; VP Business Affairs at AOL; Managing Director of Argoquest Holdings; and CEO, Playscape (MoMinis). Elected board member of IATI (Israel’s high-tech association). Graduate in Physics and Law, Tel Aviv University. 

FADI SWIDAN

VP Marketing and Business Development

Previously Director of the Nazareth Business Incubator Center & founder of the Hybrid accelerator (Arabic and 8200 cooperation); Co-Founder of NazTech, first ever Arab/Israeli accelerator; Consultant for startups; ;assistant of Nazareth Municipality CEO. Noted by Israel21c as one of 16 Arabs from Israel making difference on the World Stage. Graduated BsC in Industrial Engineering and Management – Technion and MBA from Clark University, Boston.

ASAF SHARIV

Investment Committee

Asaf Shariv is the founder and CEO of Amelia Investments. Mr. Shariv is a renowned expert in numerous sectors; a seasoned lawyer, spokesperson, diplomat and foreign affairs advisor.  Mr. Shariv is the founder and principal of TZ.U.M Shariv Consulting – a strategic consulting and political analysis firm. Shariv received an LL.B. at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel. 

OUR
PARTNERS

Building a company is a journey. ‘Smart Money’ and access to great networking are mandatory. With our founding partners, we enable the success of the entrepreneur’s journey.

ADVISORS

Our advisors and mentors are hi-tech leaders and experienced entrepreneurs with a passion for nurturing changemakers and brilliant technologists.

YORAM YAACOVI

Advisory Board

Venture Partner at SCGC Capital, Inc.

URI ADONI

Advisory Board

General Partner at Sanara Capital; Author of “The Unstoppable Startup”; Ecosystem Builder; Angel Investor; International Speaker. Before that Partner at JVP

AFIF AFIFI

Advisory Board

CEO at AFIFI GROUP, Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the transportation industry. Skilled in Strategy planning, Negotiation, Business Planning, Operations Management, Team Building, and Transportation. Strong professional graduated from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. 

ODED KRAFT

Advisory Board

Co-founder, CEO and President at GrayMatters Health, Healthcare advisor and executive.

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