Protego Ventures closes debut $125 million fund for Israeli defense tech

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Published: 2026-09-29T10:30:34.552Z • Permanent link

Protego Ventures, a prominent Israeli venture capital firm, has successfully closed its debut fund, which boasts a substantial $125 million in capital commitments. This milestone marks a significant achievement for Protego Ventures, which has been actively courting investors for the past year. The fund's close is attributed to the firm's ability to assemble a diverse portfolio of top-tier Israeli defense technology startups.

Led by Protego Ventures' founder and managing partner, Eyal Hertzog, the firm has been instrumental in identifying and backing innovative companies that are poised to disrupt the global defense industry. Hertzog's vision for Protego Ventures is centered around fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration between Israeli startups and international partners. By doing so, the firm aims to drive growth and expansion in the Israeli tech ecosystem.

Key to the fund's success has been its ability to attract significant investments from prominent institutional investors, including pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. This influx of capital has enabled Protego Ventures to invest in a range of high-growth startups, including companies focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and unmanned systems. Notably, Protego Ventures has also established partnerships with several leading defense contractors, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems.

The close of Protego Ventures' debut fund has significant implications for the global defense industry, particularly in the realm of technology. The firm's focus on investing in cutting-edge Israeli startups has the potential to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative defense solutions. As the global defense market continues to evolve, companies like Protego Ventures will play a critical role in shaping the future of defense technology.

One company that stands to benefit from Protego Ventures' investments is Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a leading Israeli defense contractor. Rafael has already established partnerships with several of the startups backed by Protego Ventures, including companies focused on unmanned systems and cybersecurity. By investing in these startups, Rafael is able to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and maintain its competitive edge in the global defense market.

Protego Ventures' investments also have implications for the broader research community. The firm's focus on defense technology startups has the potential to drive innovation and collaboration between academia and industry. By supporting the development of new technologies and solutions, Protego Ventures can help to address pressing defense challenges and improve national security.