Meet the Team:

Eliezer Gross

Founder, Chairman

Eliezer is the founder and Chairman of the Besadno Investment Group. In his close to 40 years as a businessman, he has accumulated experience in international business, in multiple markets across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Through Besadno, Eliezer has led the Group to invest in close to 50 companies , and he has taken an active role in many of them. Eliezer believes in siyata dishmaya. He has written 3 books about it and he has names the Besadno, which are the initials of בסיעתא דשמייא נעשה ונצליח (With G-d’s help, we will succeed).

Ilan Cohn

Partner, Head of IP

Ilan is a Senior Partner of Cohn, de Vries, Stadler & Co, a leading IP firm in Israel. He specializes in IP strategy and the buildup of value-generating IP portfolios and in IP due diligence. As a member of our investment committee, Ilan is an invaluable advisor to B-Seed Group.

Oded Eliashiv

Managing Partner, CEO

Oded leads the InvestiNation team in identifying, choosing, and leading the  best startups Israel has to offer on their journey to success. Oded is also a managing partner of B-Seed – a venture capital fund that invests in technology firms in a wide range of industries, as well as founding managing partner of BuiltUp Ventures. A born entrepreneur, Oded has founded and led an impressive array of startups (including EPOS) to success.

Amos Meron

VP Business Development

Amos manages the BuiltUp Ventures fund and the new InvestiNation platform. Amos managed family office and invested in more than 20 startup’s throughout his career. A serial entrepreneur, he has extensive experience in business development, marketing, e-commerce and digital strategy for businesses ranging from startups to multinationals. Before BuiltUp Ventures, Amos was Managing Partner at Clear Future, a private venture capital fund focusing on startups.

Brian(Zev) Steinberger

COO Israel

With a career focused in the financial services sector, Brian has founded Lucent Investments, an investment management firm, and Inner Circle, a boutique investment advisory firm. Brian’s career also includes managerial roles at world-leading financial institutions including Deutsche Bank as Head of Operations – Equity Trading Desk. Brian studied business management and economics at the State University of New York, and holds FINRA securities licenses in both Series 7 – General Securities, and Series 55 – Equity Trader

Avner Farkash

CTO

Avner Farkash is an engineering expert serving as a senior-level manager for the past 25 years of practice in the development of innovative solutions. With proven planning and execution skills for R&D and operations, Avner brings to the table wide-angle vision and insight combined with knowledge. His experience working within large companies as well as start-ups in global markets makes him a great team player and tech-leader. Avner leading companies from the concept phase to full commercialization. His experience in small and large scale projects makes him a major contributor to new business opportunities. He is the inventor of several patents for green energy solutions. Currently servicing as Director & CTO.

Yaniv Driham​

General Counsel & Group Secretary

Yaniv is an experienced commercial lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of capital markets; investments; transactional law and corporate governance for both private and public companies; business strategy; finance; cross-border transactions; and marketing. Yaniv received his BA in Business Administration and his LL.B. from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. He received his MBA (cum laude) from the Ben-Gurion University where he participated in an academic collaboration program with Columbia Business School in New York.

Shalom Schwartz

Counsel (Israel & Us)

Shalom is licensed as an attorney both in Israel and the US (New York and New Jersey). He handles the company’s corporate governance on both continents while coordinating and managing the company’s work with the various outside counsel engaged by the company. He regularly works with the company’s investment relations and finance departments to integrate best-practices that aim to maximize their productivity and efficiency. Shalom has experience in managing all aspects of the company’s global intellectual property portfolio. He holds a BA from Yeshiva College and a JD from Hofstra University School of Law (concentration in Intellectual Property). In addition to his work at Besadno, Shalom has been a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician for the past 20 years.

Isaac Koren

COO (US Office)

As Chief of Operations at BSeed, USA, Isaac brings over 25 years of vast and varying experience, covering real estate, finance and Hi-Tech. He has been a successful COO of an International trading company, ran his multiple businesses and real estate ventures and is now returning to his roots in the start-up world. Isaac is focused on ensuring the smooth workflow of our US team, as well as providing guidance and assistance to the Portfolio companies in marketing to and penetrating the US Market.

Omer Yona

Business Development and Analyst

Omer creates a bridge between our operations in the US and Israel, using his skill and expertise to make what is highly complex seem simple. With extensive startup business development experience and as part of our go-to-market team, Omer excels in client relations, go-to-market strategy, and new market development. He also boasts a deep understanding of industry trends and is highly skilled at analyzing new opportunities to accelerate value creation

Anna Murai

Analyst

In her interdisciplinary role, Anna bridges portfolio management, research and analysis with the aim of delivering high quality and accurate financial and portfolio information to investor clients. In her role she works in conjunction with the investment management group by managing various portfolio company correspondences and deliverables as well as the communication, tracking, and due diligence processes. Anna has over 13 years of experience in financial services sector, driving profitability growth, and improving business processes, in her impactful roles at leading Ukrainian and global companies.

Avi BenTov

VP Marketing

Avi brings more than 20 years of experience in the fields of marketing and sales to Besadno. At Besadno, Avi is responsible for bringing Besadno’s messages about investing to the general public. Using a variety of platforms, including digital, social and print media, Avi aims to promote awareness about the Besadno brand both in Israel and around the world. Avi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Meir Gross

VP Sales

Meir has been part of the Besadno Group since its foundation in 2011. As VP of Sales, Meir is responsible for managing the sales and investor relations teams. During his time at Besadno, Meir has created a culture of success and has contributed greatly to the group’s ongoing business achievements. Meir is an experienced sales leader, with the ability to identify and manage promising investment opportunities. He is skilled in building and maintaining strong investor and business relationships.

Arik Yakuel

Advisory Board

Arik is an internationally-renowned expert in sabotage and the fight against global terrorism. He is the first member of the ultra-Orthodox community to attain the rank of non-commissioned officer in the Israeli Police. Among his many achievements, Arik was part of the peace process negotiating team with Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. He established the Technology Administration of the police. As head of the logistics division, Arik was responsible for 1,200 employees and an annual budget of NIS 1.5 billion. In his last position, he served as head of the police planning department, responsible for strategic planning and management of a NIS 10 billion budget. In early 2006, Arik co-founded and served as Chairman of Sapir Tech (was acquired by Malam Tim). Arik has been an advisory member and on the board of directors of several companies, including a VC fund. More recently, He engaged in security consulting, homeland security consulting and technological development. Arik is a partner in a company that produces non-lethal weapons for the safe dispersal of demonstrations, developed a means to prevent sabotage attacks on vehicles and a patented Shabbat elevator.

In July 2020, following the Corona crisis, Arik was appointed by the Minister of Internal Security as a special advisor on the relationship between the police and ultra-Orthodox communities. Arik graduated in Economics and Business Administration from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

R' Yossi Wallis

Advisory Board

Rav Wallis served as helicopter pilot both in the Israel Air Force and the Marines. For the past 40 years, he has served as the CEO of the Arachim organization, one of the leading organizations in the Baal Teshuva movement in Israel, North America, South America, and the Far East. Rav Wallis is an experienced businessman and mentor in the area of business ethics.

Gen. Yaakov Nakash

Advisory Board

Brigadier General Yaakov Nackash brings more than 20 years of experience in the fields of development of new technologies. In addition to serving as the former director of the Israel Defense Force’s Research and Development Division, Gen. Nackash was responsible for the IDF’s logistics and
procurement divisions. Since his retirement from the IDF, Gen. Nackash has served as a consultant to many companies in the fields of engineering; technological and medical systems; real estate; and, entrepreneurship, both in Israel and abroad. Gen. Nackash holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering
from Ben Gurion University; an Executive MBA from Tel Aviv University; and an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Michael Sarel

Advisory Board

Michael has served as the Chief Economist for the Israeli Ministry of Finance. He has also served as an economist for the Bank of Israel, and the International Monetary Fund. Most recently, Michael serves as the head of the Kohelet Economic Forum, a group which advances policies that promote economic growth, competition and freedom through economic and social research. His work has been published and acclaimed multiple times. Michael holds a BS in CSI and Economics at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a PhD in economics from Harvard University.

Amos Mathan

Advisory Board

During his 22 year of serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Col. (Res.) Amos Mathan served in commanding position in the Artillery and in Research & Development (R&D) roles with the military.

During his career of R&D in the military, Mr. Amos Mathan was responsible for development of: electro-optical observation systems, ground radars, and command and control systems.
At a later stage of his career, Mr. Amos Mathan managed the R&D of the Artillery. Mr. Amos Mathan retired from the IDF in the year 2000 ranked as a Colonel. From 2000 to 2013 Mr. Amos Mathan worked for Elbit Systems.

Mr. Amos Mathan holds a B.C.s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management, as well as a Master’s degree in Industrial Management from Ben Gurion University. He is also a graduate of Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program.

Dr. Shirith Kaher

Advisory Board

Shirith has spent many years integrating, leading, executing and managing mega international deals, including private placements and public offerings (IPOs) in number of stock exchanges around the globe. For 12 years she served as head of corporate and structured finance, and headed the high-tech portfolio companies for BCRE, an international investment group with holdings in real estate, energy and traditional venture capital. In addition, Shirith has herself Co-founded several private equity funds and real estate funds. She holds a BS and LLB degrees from Tel Aviv Univesity and an MBA from Ono College.

Eli Yishai

Advisory Board

Eli Yishai has been a public figure in Israel since the mid-1980s, having held numerous high-profile positions within the government and local authorities. He served as a member of the Jerusalem City Council, as director-general of the Shas movement, and as director-general of El HaMa’ayan. He also held the positions of Minister of Labor and Welfare, Minister of Industry, Trade and Employment, and Minister of the Interior. As a minister in the Israeli government, he was a member of the security-political cabinet and a member in a limited defense team. He was also a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees and served as Chairman of the Home Front Preparedness Subcommittee.

In his 14 years at the helm of the Shas party, Eli accumulated many impressive achievements and was respected for his innovative vision on various public, economic and social issues.

Dr. Israel Rosen

Advisory Board

Dr. Israel Rosen has extensive experience as the head of a computer system in large organizations in Israel and the United States – information systems, business intelligence (BI), analytical research, data mining, and big data and systems that produce knowledge to achieve a strategic advantage.

He is an expert in the development and implementation of a methodology for cyber risk management in data technology in organizations.

Consultant for organizations in the field of information systems in business intelligence (BI) and cyber protection.

Senior Lecturer in the School of Business Administration (Master’s Degree) at the Bar-Ilan University and Ramat Gan Law & Business School.

Eran Ron

Advisory Board

Eran was a fighter pilot in the IAF as well as a flight instructor. He is a former diplomat at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, an economist and businessman. He is the Founder and Chairman of Rinsberg Holding Ltd., and an entrepreneur responsible for impact projects in third world countries.

Abe Roth ,CPA​

Head of Advisory Board

CPA and Founder of the largest accounting firm in Brooklyn, Mr. Roth is a Besadno Advisor. He manages the accounting and advisory needs for the Besadno Group in all business aspects related to the US market.

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Teichman

Advisory Board

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Teichman has over 50 years in education and investment experience.

He is the president of Gamla College in Brooklyn, New York, a Judaic Studies institution, and its associated high school and elementary divisions. Rabbi Dr. Teichman holds a doctorate in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from New York University (NYU), and taught the City University of New York (CUNY) as a tenured assistant professor.