Founders searching for Pitango funding are looking at Israel's largest and longest-standing venture capital fund. Pitango, founded in 1993 by Rami Kalish and Chemi Peres and headquartered in Tel Aviv, manages more than $3 billion across 14 funds, has invested in over 300 companies, and counts nearly 100 exits — through IPOs on NASDAQ and NYSE and acquisitions by strategic buyers such as Google, Apple, IBM and Cisco. For anyone mapping how to get funding from Pitango, the firm's three-fund structure is the key to understanding where you fit.
Pitango funding: the three-fund model
Pitango invests through three dedicated funds, each with its own team. Pitango First handles early-stage technology investments; Pitango HealthTech focuses on digital health, medical devices, AI in healthcare and pharmaceuticals; and Pitango Growth backs growth-stage companies. In November 2025 the firm closed $300 million in fresh capital for Pitango First and Pitango HealthTech — a signal of continued conviction in Israeli tech even through a difficult funding cycle.
Pitango First is led by Eyal Niv, Dr Ayal Itzkovitz, Gad Huldai and Yair Cassuto, now on their third consecutive fund together. It targets artificial intelligence, infrastructure, quantum, cybersecurity and cloud, with early investments in companies such as AAI, GammaTime and Apprentice.AI, and an explicit emphasis on backing first-time founders. Pitango HealthTech is led by Ittai Harel, Hila Karah and Dr Jonathan Glazer, and has invested in QuantHealth, Somite, LeaFix Medical and Guardoc, with successes including the Vertos exit and the TScan IPO.
Notable portfolio
Pitango's hall of fame includes Via Transportation (IPO), DriveNets, AppsFlyer, Forescout and Varonis. The firm's own site quotes founders at length: Orr Inbar, CEO and co-founder of QuantHealth; Or Perry, CEO and co-founder of StreamElements; and Oren Kaniel, CEO and co-founder of AppsFlyer — each describing Pitango as an early, hands-on strategic partner. Recent portfolio momentum includes the IPO of Via and a $1 billion funding round for PsiQuantum. The firm notes it holds the largest number of Israeli portfolio companies generating over $100 million in annual revenue, and leads the domestic market in AI and quantum investments.
Partners
Beyond co-founders Rami Kalish and Chemi Peres, the team includes partners such as Aaron Mankovski, Mark Chacham and Gad Huldai, with dedicated partner teams across the First, HealthTech and Growth funds.
How to apply for funding
Pitango does not publish a public application form or rolling admissions process. Founders reach the relevant fund team through the contact channels on pitango.com, most effectively via warm introductions from portfolio founders or co-investors. The firm invests from first cheque through growth, so matching your stage to the right vehicle — First for early tech, HealthTech for health, Growth for scale — matters. Cheque sizes and any startup-credit or perks programme are not publicly disclosed.
Why it matters for founders
Pitango is the closest thing Israel has to a full-lifecycle venture partner: one relationship can carry you from a first seed cheque to growth capital and a public listing. Its $3B scale, three dedicated funds and a founder-first reputation — especially Pitango First's explicit welcome for first-time founders — make it a top-tier target. Match your stage to the right fund, lead with technical depth, and arrive through a warm introduction.