97212 Ventures

97212 Ventures is a New York City-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in Israeli-founded technology startups seeking to expand into the United States market. The firm focuses on pre-seed and seed funding rounds across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, financial technology, blockchain, and enterprise software. Operating an inaugural $20 million fund, the firm typically provides initial investments ranging from $500,000 to $1 million to help founders establish a presence in the New York tech ecosystem. The firm currently manages a portfolio of 17 companies and has mapped over 550 Israeli-founded startups that have collectively raised $27.7 billion. Its active investment portfolio includes technology companies such as Aktivate, Beti, and CauseMatch. 97212 Ventures was founded in 2022 by Eyal Bino.

97212 Ventures is a New York-based seed-stage venture capital fund focused exclusively on investing in early-stage Israeli startups that aim to build category-defining companies in the U.S. market, particularly in New York City. Their mission centers on bridging Israeli innovation with U.S. market opportunities by providing hands-on support from day one to help startups scale globally. The firm primarily invests in sectors such as AI, fintech, and blockchain, emphasizing transformative technologies with clear paths to U.S. expansion[1][2].

Founded in 2022 by Eyal Bino, a seasoned investor and operator with deep ties to both the Israeli and New York tech ecosystems, 97212 Ventures was created to address the unique challenges Israeli founders face when entering the U.S. market. Bino’s background includes co-founding ICONYC labs and working as a venture partner at B Capital, giving him extensive experience in go-to-market strategies for Israeli startups. The fund has evolved to become a vital bridge for Israeli entrepreneurs seeking to establish a strong foothold in one of the world’s most competitive tech hubs[2][3][4].

Core Differentiators

• Exclusive Focus on Israeli Startups: One of the few New York VCs dedicated solely to Israeli founders, providing specialized expertise and networks.
• Hands-On, Day-One Partnership: Offers tangible operational support to help startups move from zero to one, especially in U.S. market entry.
• Strong Bi-National Network: Combines successful founders, investors, and operators from Israel and NYC to create a vibrant community.
• Track Record of Early-Stage Success: Engaged in over 15 deals with notable exits, validating their investment thesis and approach.
• Reinvestment Capability: Ability to follow-on invest as portfolio companies grow, reinforcing long-term commitment[1][2][3].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

97212 Ventures rides the growing trend of cross-border tech innovation, specifically the increasing globalization of Israeli startups targeting the U.S. market. The timing is critical as Israeli tech continues to mature and seek expansion beyond local borders, while New York emerges as a major global tech hub rivaling Silicon Valley. By facilitating market entry and scaling, 97212 Ventures leverages market forces favoring international tech collaboration and capitalizes on the demand for transformative technologies in AI, fintech, and blockchain. Their role strengthens the Israeli-U.S. tech corridor, fostering innovation and economic ties between the two ecosystems[1][2][3].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, 97212 Ventures aims to become the premier seed fund for Israeli founders targeting global scale, particularly in the U.S. Their focus on early-stage investments and go-to-market support positions them well to capitalize on continued Israeli innovation and the expanding New York tech scene. Trends such as AI adoption, fintech disruption, and blockchain development will shape their portfolio’s growth trajectory. As they deepen their network and track record, 97212 Ventures is poised to enhance its influence as a critical enabler of Israeli startups’ global ambitions, reinforcing their mission to be the first check for Israeli founders building global businesses[2].