MizMaa Ventures

MizMaa Ventures is an early-stage, thesis-driven venture capital firm that focuses on investing in Israeli entrepreneurs developing deep-technology solutions. The firm is committed to partnering with these founders to build successful, global companies by providing long-term investment capital, strategic connections, and expert advice across various critical areas such as fundraising, hiring, and go-to-market strategy. MizMaa's investment philosophy centers on identifying ambitious entrepreneurs with technology capable of disrupting major industries, particularly in sectors where Israel holds a technological advantage.

Founded in 2016 by Isaac ("Yitz") Applbaum, based in Silicon Valley, and Catherine Leung, based in Hong Kong, MizMaa Ventures was established with the mission to bridge Israeli innovation with global markets. The firm's name, derived from the Hebrew words "Mizrach" (East) and "Maarav" (West), reflects this East-West connection. Their global leadership team brings extensive experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, law, and corporate finance, with a proven track record of successful exits in both the US and Israel.

MizMaa Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of companies, including notable investments in firms like Orca AI, which secured a $72.5M Series B round for autonomous shipping solutions, and Tenet, a cybersecurity startup focused on protecting autonomous AI agents that raised a $6M Seed round with MizMaa's participation. Other portfolio companies include Anima (design to development platform), Aurora Labs (AI-based vehicle software intelligence), and Coro (all-in-one cyber protection). The firm actively invests across sectors such as Cloud, Cybersecurity, Mobility, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and Digital Health.

The MizMaa team comprises experienced professionals, including co-founders Isaac Applbaum and Catherine Leung, Operating Partner Rick Kaplan, Partner Aaron Applbaum, Vice President Aviv Kerbel, and Head of Operations Sarit Konikov. Yitz Applbaum brings over 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship and venture capital, having previously been a Partner and Managing Director for Israel at Lightspeed Venture Partners. Catherine Leung has a distinguished background as an investment banker, having served as Vice Chairman of Asia Investment Banking at JP Morgan. The team leverages its collective expertise and global network to provide hands-on support and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, facilitating their expansion into North American, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets.