Shavit Capital announced on 10/31/18 the completion of a $100 million funding round for its fifth fund. Founded and managed by Gary Leibler, Shavit Capital has over $400 million under management in five funds and specializes in pre-IPO investments in leading technology companies with a special focus on the life science sectors.
Shavit is an active investor in late-stage life sciences companies. Shavit Capital's portfolio includes Foamix Pharmaceuticals, Kamada, Anchiano Tx (formerly BioCancell), Gamida Cell, Brainsway, Alpha TAU Medical, and PolyPid.
Shavit Capital, which until now has focused on companies planning an IPO on Nasdaq, is expected to expand its activities to include companies nearing flotation in other markets, such as Europe, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong. Shavit works closely with most of the leading international investment banks that specialize in raising capital for Israeli companies. Shavit leads investment rounds ranging in size from $20 million to $60 million and its investments are also supported by leading financial institutions in Israel and around the world. Shavit's co-investors also support the fund's portfolio companies when they go public.
During the past year, Shavit has led several notable funding rounds, including a $40 million round for Gamida Cell, whose leading product was developed to renew bone-marrow cells and help cure bone-marrow cancer (myeloma). Gamida Cell has completed an IPO on Nasdaq in October 2018 and raised 50$ million. Leading shareholders such as Novartis participated in the IPO.
Shavit Capital was founded in 2007 by Gary Leibler, who serves as the firm's managing partner. Leibler established Shavit after he founded and managed AIG Orion Venture Capital Fund, whose investors included Microsoft, Comcast and the World Bank.
Along with Gary Leibler, Shavit Capital's partners are Leon Recanati, chairman and CEO of the private investment company GlenRock Israel; Jonathan Leibler; Gabriel Menaged; and Erez Yuval, who was recently appointed as partner. Roni Rosenheimeris Venture Partner in the fund.
The fund's investors include leading financial institutions from the United States, Asiaand Israel, as well as owners and senior managers of leading investment banks and multibillion dollar hedge funds.
