Meet the Team:

Eliezer Gross

Founder and CEO

Eliezer is the Founder and CEO of the Besadno Investment Group, with close to 40 years of international business experience across multiple markets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Under his leadership, Besadno has invested in close to 50 companies, and he has taken an active role in many of these ventures. 

As a religious man, Eliezer believes deeply in the Jewish principle of “siyata dishmaya” (an Aramaic term which means “with G-d's help”), namely, the idea that we succeed in life because G-d helps us succeed. He has written three books about this concept, which guides his ethical principles in life and business. The company name Besadno is an acronym for the Aramaic phrase, בסיעתא דשמייא נעשה ונצליח, which translates as “with G-d’s help, we will succeed”.

Ilan Cohn

Partner, Head of IP

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

Oded Eliashiv

Chief Investment Officer

Oded leads the InvestiNation team in identifying, selecting, 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 across a wide range of industries; as well as a founding managing partner of BuiltUp Ventures. A born entrepreneur, Oded has founded and led an impressive array of startups (including EPOS) to success.

Brian (Zev) Steinberger

COO Israel

With a career focused in the financial services, Brian founded Lucent Investments, an investment management firm, and Inner Circle, a boutique investment advisory firm. His career includes managerial roles at world-leading financial institutions including Deutsche Bank where he served as the Head of Operations – Equity Trading Desk. Brian studied business management and economics at the State University of New York. He 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 in the development of innovative solutions.  With proven planning and execution skills for R&D and operations, Avner’s many skills include an ability to bring a “wide-vision” perspective, combined with extensive knowledge and insight. His experience working in global markets with both large companies and start-ups makes him an invaluable team player and tech-leader, and an important contributor to new business ventures. 

Avner leads companies throughout the entire process, from the initial concept phase to full commercialization. Additionally, he is the inventor of several patents for green energy solutions. He is currently Besadno’s Director & CTO.

Yaniv David Drihem​

General Counsel and Group Secretary

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

Shalom Schwartz

Counsel (Israel & USA)

Shalom is a licensed attorney in Israel and the US (New York and New Jersey). He handles the company’s corporate governance on both continents, while also coordinating and managing its work with outside counsels. He regularly works with Besadno's investment relations and finance departments to integrate best-practices for maximizing productivity and efficiency. Shalom has experience 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 USA

As Chief of Operations at B-Seed, USA, Isaac brings over 25 years of vast experience, in real estate, finance, and hi-tech. He has been a successful COO of an international trading company, and has also run multiple private businesses and real estate ventures. He is now returning to his roots in the world of “start-up”. Isaac is focused on ensuring the smooth workflow of our US team, as well as in providing guidance and assisting our portfolio companies’ ongoing efforts to attract and enter the US market.

Omer Yona

Business Development and Analyst

Omer builds bridges between our operations in the US and Israel, using his unique skill-set and expertise to make highly complex concepts 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 possesses a deep understanding of industry trends, and is skilled at analyzing new opportunities for accelerating value creation.

Anna Murai

Analyst

In her interdisciplinary role, Anna bridges portfolio management with research and analysis, with the goal of delivering high quality, accurate, financial and portfolio information to our investor clients. She works in conjunction with the investment management group in managing various portfolio company correspondences and deliverables, as well as in communication, tracking, and due diligence processes.

Anna has over 13 years experience in the financial services sector, and has contributed impactful roles at leading Ukrainian and global companies, in driving profitability growth and improving business processes.

Avi BenTov

VP Marketing

Avi brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and sales to Besadno where he is responsible for delivering our messages about investments to the public. Using a variety of platforms including digital, social, and print media, Avi promotes Besadno’s brand in Israel and throughout the world. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Meir Gross

VP Investments

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

Rabbi Yossi Wallis

Advisory Board

Rabbi Wallis served as a helicopter pilot in the Israeli Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps. For the past 40 years, he has served as CEO of the Arachim organization, one of the leading organizations in the baal teshuva (Jewish outreach) movement in Israel, North America, South America, and the Far East. Rabbi Wallis is an experienced businessman and a mentor to many in the area of business ethics.

Gen. Yaakov Nakash

Advisory Board

General (Res.) Yaakov Nakash brings more than 20 years of experience in the field of developing new technologies. In addition to serving as the former director of the Israel Defense Forces’ Research and Development Division, Gen. Nakash was responsible for the IDF’s logistics and procurement divisions. 

Since retiring from the IDF, Gen. Nakash has served as a consultant to many companies in the fields of engineering, technological and medical systems, real estate, and entrepreneurship, in Israel and abroad. Gen. Nakash 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, and as an economist for the Bank of Israel and the International Monetary Fund. In his current capacity, Michael serves as the head of the Kohelet Economic Forum, a group that advances policies promoting economic growth, competition, and freedom, through economic and social research. His published work is widely acclaimed in academic circles.

Michael holds a BS in CSI and Economics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a PhD in economics from Harvard University.

Amos Mathan

Advisory Board

Throughout his 22 years in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Col. (Res.) Amos Mathan served in several command positions with the Artillery Research & Development (R&D) department. During his career of R&D in the military, Amos was responsible for development of electro-optical observation systems, ground radars, and command and control systems. At a later stage of his career, he managed the R&D of the Artillery.

After retiring from the IDF in 2000 with the rank of Colonel, he worked for Elbit Systems from 2000-2013.

Amos holds a B.C.s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management, and 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 Kasher

Advisory Board

Shirith has spent many years integrating, leading, executing, and managing mega international deals, including private placements and public offerings (IPOs) in a number of stock exchanges worldwide. 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. Shirith co-founded several private equity and real estate funds. She holds a BS and LLB degrees from Tel Aviv University 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 government and local authorities. He served as a member of the Jerusalem City Council, as Director-General of the Shas political movement, and as Director-General of El HaMa’ayan. He has also held the positions of Minister of Labor and Welfare, Minister of Industry, Trade and Employment, and Minister of the Interior.

In his capacities as a minister in the Israeli government, he was a member of the security-political cabinet and a limited defense team, as well as being a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees. He also served as Chairman of the Home Front Preparedness Subcommittee.

During his 14 years at the helm of the Shas party, Eli accumulated many achievements and earned praise as a respected voice for his innovative vision on public, economic, and social issues.

Dr. Israel Rosen

Advisory Board

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

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

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

Danny Marian

Advisory Board

Danny Marian is a civil engineer, entrepreneur, businessman, and corporate director specializing in corporate management, project management, contracting, construction and infrastructure initiatives, as well as real estate development for BOT and PFI projects.

Danny served for 11 years as the pro bono Chairman of Israeli Association of Construction and Infrastructure Engineers (IACIE).  He is a member of the Central Building Standards Committee of the Standards Institute of Israel. His professional career includes the following positions: CEO of the largest construction contractor in Israel (Danya Cebus); board member of Electra, the major contracting, M&E and FM company in Israel; member of the Executive Board of Africa Israel, one of the largest developers in Israel; owner of the entrepreneurial real estate company, America Israel Investments.

Gen. Arik Yakuel

Advisory Board

Arik is an internationally-renowned expert in sabotage prevention 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 also helped establish the Technology Administration of the police. 

As head of the logistics division, Arik was responsible for 1,200 employees with an annual budget of NIS 1.5 billion. In his last position, he served as head of the police planning department, where he headed the strategic planning and management of a NIS 10 billion budget. 

In 2006, Arik co-founded and served as Chairman of Sapir Tech which was later acquired by Malam Team. Arik has been an advisory member and also sat on the board of directors of several companies, including a VC fund. More recently, Arik has engaged in security consulting, homeland security consulting, and technological development. 

Arik is a partner in a company that produces non-lethal weapons for safe dispersal of violent demonstrations. He has also developed a means to prevent sabotage attacks on vehicles, as well as a patented Shabbat elevator to accommodate religiously observant Jews.

In July 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Arik was appointed by the Minister of Internal Security as a special advisor on the relationship between the police and ultra-orthodox communities in Israel. 

Arik graduated with a degree in Economics and Business Administration from Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Eran Ron

Advisory Board

Eran was a fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force (IAF), and a flight instructor. He is a former diplomat at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, an economist, and a businessman. In his entrepreneurial capacity, Eran is the Founder and Chairman of Rinsberg Holding Ltd., which is responsible for important impact projects in third-world countries.

Dr. Gabriel Avital

Advisory Board

Gabriel has 30 years of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) engineering experience, and is a senior advisor and the Head of Flight Science Team at UVision Air. He is the former Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Education and a senior lecturer at the Israel Air Force Pilot Academy, the Technion, and Ariel University.

Abe Roth ,CPA​

Head of Advisory Board

Abe is a licensed CPA, the founder of the largest accounting firm in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a Besadno advisor. He manages the accounting and advisory needs for the Besadno Group, in all business aspects pertaining to the US market.

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Teichman

Advisory Board

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Teichman has more than 50 years of experience in education and the field of investments. He is the president of Gamla College, a Judaic Studies institution in Brooklyn, N.Y., 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 has taught at the City University of New York (CUNY) as a tenured assistant professor.

Rudolph Lowy

Advisory Board

Rudolph Lowy is a licensed reinsurance intermediary, civil engineer, developer and contractor.

In an agreement with Clal Insurance, Rudolph brought surety insurance to Israel and provided international support for major Israeli developers. Key projects included Airport City and the Desalinization Project.

Rudolph has been involved in insurance transactions in many parts of the world including US, Europe, and China.

A serial entrepreneur, he continues to be actively involvement in startup companies, including cyber security, mobility, adtech, insurance,  and financial services.