A brutal, devastating chapter. But even in the most hopeless times, sparks of possibility are just waiting to catch fire. I never thought that I would see a venture capital fund born from the center of that conflict. It continues to serve today as a great symbol of cutting edge, innovation. TBD VC, a $35 million fund that specializes in Israeli cybersecurity, enterprise software and infrastructure. It’s a testament to the fact that resilience and ingenuity are often found in the most surprising places.

Hope Emerges From War's Ashes

Imagine this: the Zikim crossing, a dusty, chaotic artery near Gaza. The air felt heavy with expectation, the noise of war raging through the city a perpetual background. That’s where David Citron, a reservist called back to duty and Alan Buch, on the way to deliver life-saving supplies, met each other. An unlikely friendship, a common mission among strangers born from struggle. This was no slick, put-together schmooze/network/template-introduction. It was real. Raw. And it birthed an idea: to invest in the future of Israel, to back its brightest minds, to build something positive from the rubble.

This isn't just another VC fund announcement. This is less a story of technology than of human connection, of seeing opportunity through crisis. Buch, a respected executive who managed billions in assets, didn’t have to rock the boat. Branding Citron, a veteran VC with an impressive record, could have just kept going down his current route. They chose something bolder, something more. They had decided to bet on Israel’s future, not only with dollars but with their passion.

Backing Warriors, Building Futures

And it's not just about profits. TBD VC is putting some money where its mouth is. To that end, it is donating a portion of its profits to Back the Warrior, a nonprofit that helps discharged soldiers make the transition to careers in tech. Think about that for a second. These courageous heroes have given their all in service to our nation. Now, TBD VC is providing them the figurative hand up so that they can build stable lives and begin productive new careers.

So let me give you an example, a hypothetical one, but one that seems completely plausible. Now picture this young soldier, whom we’ll refer to as Avi. He’s been years in the IDF, subjecting himself to unimaginable horrors. He’s out, but the adjustment to civilian life is savage. He continues to deal with PTSD, and along with it, the challenge to find his new place. Then he starts hearing about Back the Warrior, and through them, TBD VC. He gets the training he requires and the mentorship he should have. Because of this, he eventually gets hired at an up-and-coming cybersecurity startup. He's not just surviving; he's thriving.

This is deeper than ROI though, this is investing in people, in communities, in a better future. And it’s not just about translating battlefield experience to boardroom brilliance.

Cybersecurity's Strength: Israeli Ingenuity

Israel has proven to be a global powerhouse in cybersecurity, enterprise software, and infrastructure. It’s a country born of fire and blood, ever seeking novel solutions to defend itself and its partners. TBD VC’s emphasis on these three sectors isn’t just a good idea; it’s by design.

Think about the current geopolitical climate. As cybersecurity threats continue to increase, as does the demand for innovative solutions to combat them, that need is growing stronger than ever. Israel, with its deep pool of STEM talent and its start-up nation culture of innovation, is uniquely qualified to bring this vision into focus. And TBD VC is rising to the occasion to fund that growth.

Josefa, with her interest in the stories behind founders, would have eaten this up. It’s a testament to the amazing potential of human creativity and innovation. Underneath, it’s a tribute to the resilience of the Israeli spirit and a reminder that hope can win through even in the bleakest of moments. It’s proof that more than ever, the most unlikely relationships can lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

This fund is a tiny flicker of light, a sign that even from the trenches of Gaza, something beautiful, something powerful, can emerge. It’s a great story, an awesome story, an absurdly cool story, all wrapped up together. Because in a world saturated with negativity, we need more stories of hope, of resilience, and of the unwavering human spirit.