Why a U.S. Cyber Fund is Going All in on Israel

Collin Gutman, Managing Partner at SaaS Ventures, has spent the past decade backing U.S.-based SaaS and cybersecurity startups. But over the last few years, his path and perspective shifted. A move from Washington, DC to Miami during Covid put him in closer contact with Israeli founders, and October 7 gave that connection new urgency. Now, he’s leading the launch of a $50M Israel-focused cyber fund with boots on the ground, a commitment that blends market conviction with personal mission. In this conversation, Collin shares why Israel’s cybersecurity ecosystem is central to the firm’s future, the role Startup Nation Central played in connecting the dots, and why this fund is about more than returns.

Q: SaaS Ventures has traditionally focused on U.S.-based SaaS and cybersecurity companies. Why create a standalone fund for Israel? 

A: This shift has been building for a while. Our move from DC to Miami during Covid put us in closer contact with Israeli founders. Miami quickly became a hub for the Israeli tech community. From there, our exposure to Israeli cyber talent grew through deals like xType, Cyvore, and others. But after October 7, the motivation deepened. As Jewish Americans, we each took time to reflect. This fund is not just a business move, it is a personal and professional commitment to be more present, more involved, and more invested in Israel’s future. 

Q: You’ve already made investments in Israeli founders. What’s the need for a dedicated cyber fund? 

A: We realized that dabbling wasn’t enough. To be serious about cybersecurity, you need to be serious about Israel. The companies coming out of this ecosystem are shaping the future of enterprise security and infrastructure globally. That requires real presence, not fly-ins or one-off deals. We’re building a $50M fund, hiring a General Partner based in Israel, and putting a team in place that can lead on the ground. 

Q: What other sectors are you targeting with this fund? 

A: Cybersecurity is the anchor, but we’re also focused on cyber-adjacent categories: infrastructure, enterprise tools, governance, and identity. These are areas where Israeli founders have consistently outperformed. We’re looking for companies that are built for scale and global impact, and that’s where Israel continues to shine. 

Q: How did your interaction with Startup Nation Central influence your thinking? 

A: When Startup Nation Central visited Miami, it helped clarify something that had been building for a while. I had been hearing great things about Israeli founders and companies, but it was mostly anecdotal. That visit created a throughline. It gave us a clearer sense of the ecosystem as a whole, connected the dots, and gave our team and our LPs a more complete view of what is happening in Israel right now. 

Q: Where are you in the process of launching the fund? 

A: We’ve already completed a first close with our existing LP base, which gives us room to start investing and hiring. This summer we’re holding Zoom interviews with potential General Partners and co-investors. We’re planning an in-person visit in September or November to meet our Israeli partners and candidates face to face. After that, we expect to be in Israel regularly as we build the cyber fund’s presence. 

Q: From a global perspective, how does Israel’s tech ecosystem look today? 

A: Strong. The data backs it up. In the first half of 2025, Israeli startups raised $9.5B across 367 rounds. That is a 58% increase over the previous half, despite fewer total deals. You’re seeing capital concentrate in companies with strong fundamentals and global relevance. Cybersecurity alone accounted for over $2B in funding. Mega rounds are back. There’s clearly international confidence in Israeli innovation. 

Q: This fund seems personal for you. Why now? 

A: It is very personal. I’m the grandson of a Holocaust survivor. I’ve always felt connected to Israel, but the events of the last year brought that connection into sharper focus. I want my son to grow up understanding what it means to be Jewish, not just culturally or spiritually, but through action. For me, that means putting capital, relationships, and energy behind a country and a community that matters. That’s why we’re doing this. 

Q: What is unique abut SaaS VC and why should local funds and founders partner with you? 

A:   We’ve built a strong network in cyber here in the US. Israeli companies are pushing early to break into this market and land their first customers. We bring our deep bench of US CISOs and VCs into every investment. We’re not trying to lead; we don’t compete with local funds. We prefer to write a small check alongside top Israeli lead investors and open up our American network to help these companies reach their next stage. 

Collin Gutman’s message is clear: Israel’s cybersecurity sector represents both a strategic opportunity and a long-term partnership rooted in trust, shared values, and measurable results. In the video below, he explains how SaaS Ventures will connect Israel’s top innovators with U.S. markets, helping these companies grow globally while delivering lasting impact on both sides of the ocean.