Next Cybersecurity Giant Will Likely Emerge From Tel Aviv, Says VC
Venture capitalist Ziv Konan believes the next cybersecurity giant will emerge from Tel Aviv as artificial intelligence transforms the industry landscape.
The next global cybersecurity giant is likely already being born in Tel Aviv, according to Ziv Konan, a partner at venture capital fund New Era. Operating from Boston while deeply connected to the Israeli tech ecosystem, Konan oversees investments in a sector undergoing profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence.
New Era, which manages funds totaling over $300 million, has backed successful startups such as Papaya Global and Optibus, alongside cybersecurity exits like Apono. Konan notes that the industry is entering a new era characterized by rapid technological shifts and massive capital availability.
The AI Revolution in Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the security landscape through three main vectors. First, the emergence of AI agents creates new identities and permissions that require advanced protection. Second, the speed of operations has accelerated dramatically for both attackers and defenders.
However, a significant gap remains between threat detection and remediation. While identifying vulnerabilities has become faster, enterprise security teams often struggle to close those gaps at the same pace. Established companies face architectural challenges in adapting to these changes, often requiring cannibalization of existing products, which gives agile startups a distinct advantage.
The Advantage of Israeli Tech Talent
Discussing the unique dynamics of the Israeli startup scene, Konan highlights the practical experience gained in technological military units such as Unit 8200. Unlike purely academic environments focused strictly on defensive strategies, Israeli entrepreneurs often possess deep offensive insights, understanding how attackers think and operate.
Despite the dominance of mega-funds from Silicon Valley, smaller venture funds leverage local networks and early personal connections to identify promising founders before they hit the radar of global competitors. While access to abundant venture capital remains critical for rapid scaling and global market penetration, exit strategies continue to evolve as private markets offer robust funding alternatives to traditional public listings.
