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Introduction: Strengthening the Future of Israeli Tech
In an era where artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are converging at breakneck speed, venture capital firms must be more than just financiers — they must be builders, strategists, and catalysts for scale. Israeli powerhouse Team8 understands this well. With over \$1 billion under management and a portfolio spanning early-stage ventures in cyber, infrastructure, and AI, the firm is reshaping how VC intersects with innovation. In its latest move to navigate a turbulent global tech climate and sharpen its operational edge, Team8 has announced two major leadership changes. These aren’t just title updates — they signal a deeper, strategic evolution within the fund.
Summary: Leadership Moves to Reinforce Cyber and AI Momentum
Team8 has promoted Ori Barzilay to Partner and welcomed Matthew Schoenfeld as Operating Partner. These changes reflect a calculated effort to deepen the fund’s expertise in cybersecurity, enterprise infrastructure, and AI — areas where Team8 has built a formidable reputation.
Barzilay, who joined as a Principal two years ago, will now spearhead investments in sectors critical to national security and digital transformation. His past roles in elite Israeli military intelligence, Pitango VC, and product roles in cyber and IoT offer a rare mix of strategic vision and operational grit. Notably, he was instrumental in backing Port, a developer experience platform that raised \$58 million.
Schoenfeld adds firepower on the go-to-market front. With two decades of commercial leadership experience at cybersecurity heavyweights like FireEye, Absolute Software, and Fortra, he brings a sales-first mindset crucial for startups trying to cross the chasm from product to profit. His past role advising Greylock Partners and mentoring security startups underscores his tactical value to Team8’s portfolio.
These appointments arrive during a particularly fraught period for Israeli tech. With geopolitical instability (such as the ongoing conflict with Iran) and a global venture funding slowdown, investor confidence has wavered. Yet, Team8 has stayed aggressive: in just six months, it has invested in 11 new ventures and provided follow-on capital to its existing 40-plus portfolio companies.
Beyond money, Team8 offers executional depth. Its 100 in-house experts help startups build across every function: sales, hiring, product, and AI strategy. The firm’s hybrid model — blending venture funding with deep operational support — is increasingly viewed as a blueprint for next-generation VCs.
What Undercode Say:
Team8’s expansion is more than a personnel update — it’s a response to seismic shifts in both global tech markets and national security. As venture capital becomes less about capital and more about strategic leverage, firms like Team8 are rewriting the rules of engagement.
The elevation of Ori Barzilay reflects Team8’s continued focus on insiders who understand not just the tech, but the terrain — military-grade cyber experience is increasingly vital in today’s threat landscape. His transition from intelligence work to venture capital brings a “boots-on-the-ground” sensibility to identifying threats and opportunities. And given his recent success with stealth cyber and AI plays, his new role likely signals more bold, early-stage bets from the firm.
Matthew Schoenfeld’s arrival strengthens a different — but equally essential — dimension: commercialization. As more cybersecurity firms hit a saturation point with similar technologies, the ability to scale quickly and break into enterprise markets is the differentiator. His tenure at FireEye and Fortra positions him as a revenue architect who knows how to sell complex security solutions to risk-averse clients.
In today’s geopolitical climate,
Also worth noting is Team8’s hybrid structure. Most VC firms offer mentorship as a perk. Team8 embeds it as a core function, through 100 experts who actively help founders with everything from talent acquisition to AI architecture. This model is rare — and powerful — because it closes the gap between funding and execution.
Another advantage is Team8’s thematic consistency. While many firms scatter funds across loosely related verticals, Team8 is highly focused on mission-critical sectors: cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI. These areas are not just trendy; they are foundational to both business continuity and geopolitical stability.
From an investment lens, these leadership moves and strategic bets suggest that Team8 is gearing up for a new wave of global-scale cybersecurity unicorns. And with its unique model and war-tested talent pool, the odds seem in its favor.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Team8 confirmed over $1B in assets under management
✅ Ori Barzilay has been with Team8 for two years and involved in Port’s \$58M raise
✅ Schoenfeld’s previous roles at FireEye, Fortra, and Greylock are publicly verified
📊 Prediction:
With its deep bench in cybersecurity, Team8 will likely play a leading role in funding the next generation of AI-integrated threat detection platforms. Expect new portfolio startups in quantum-secure infrastructure, autonomous defense systems, and AI-powered SOC tools — all with go-to-market acceleration built in from day one.
References:
Reported By: calcalistechcom_2678b700e7bd14e9f681c4a6
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