Can one random meeting on a combat frontline really inspire the kind of innovation that would fundamentally change an entire sector? TBD VC came out of a consequential meeting at the Zikim crossing during the Iron Swords War. Picture this — this time, they know they’ll do well. $35 million dollars doesn’t seem like it should be the secret sauce behind Israel’s already-robust cyber hegemony. Maybe not the answer, but it certainly has the potential to unlock a greater agility and innovative spirit that incumbent players lack. Let's dive in.

Gaza Meeting, Cyber Empire?

Providing that compelling narrative It’s tempting to write off the romantic founding story. Completely improbably, these two fellows, Torben and Seema meet in the middle of a war zone, and BAM! A VC fund is created. Dig deeper. It’s not just about serendipity, it’s opportunity meeting necessity. Citron's deep VC experience (OurCrowd, Flint Capital) combined with Buch's financial acumen (overseeing $4 billion in assets, early Spotify and SpaceX investments) creates a potent mix.

The emotional trigger here is awe. The story is inspiring, uplifting, surprising, mind-blowing.

What makes TBD VC compelling isn’t even the “war story,” but rather their emphasis on pre-seed and seed investments. They’re not just looking to quench the current most valuable company’s thirst, they’re seeking the next big thing too. Most importantly, their $1 million max initial checks are ideally positioned to get in ahead of startups before they’re on everyone else’s radar. The anxiety comes in here: will other VCs miss out on the next unicorn?

Team Expertise: The Real X-Factor?

Forget the cash. It’s all about the team. Citron's track record speaks for itself: Frontegg, Eon, Upwind… these aren't just names, they're success stories. Buch, equipped with financial gravitas and global perspective honed by years of successfully guiding complex markets, strengthens this dynamic.

Here's the unexpected connection: TBD VC's Venture Partner program. Epic Games, Fanatics, Atlassian, Netflix... These aren't your typical VC advisors. They provide the clearest pipeline directly into real-world challenges and thus the most immediate market validation. It’s akin to having a cheat code for achieving product-market fit. This is where we think the fund will win or lose. These Venture Partners will immediately start to work directly with portfolio companies. They’re going to help with product strategy and go-to-market execution from day one, and that’s awesome!

Think about it: Netflix advising a cybersecurity startup on how to protect its streaming infrastructure? Atlassian taking a board seat in a competing enterprise software company’s platform play? That's invaluable. But it’s not enough to only have mentorship — it’s about access. This is TBD VC’s unfair advantage, and it’s what will help TBD VC’s portfolio companies get to the head of the pack.

"To Be Determined" Cyber Future

The name itself is clever. To Be Determined is an honest recognition of the inherent uncertainty at the heart of early-stage investing. It’s a genius piece of marketing, implying that investors will have the power to influence these companies’ futures.

So, will TBD VC ensure that Israeli cyber continues to reign supreme? Probably not single-handedly. But it would massively inject a wave of innovation into the ecosystem. In particular, TBD VC is focusing their efforts on seed-stage startups. By continuing to leverage the expertise of its Venture Partners, it is well-positioned to identify and foster the coming wave of Israeli cyber leaders.

Here is where the utility comes in. In short, where investors should go and what should they be looking for.

If TBD VC can follow through on this vision, it will make a big splash in the Israeli tech scene. This success will similarly enhance Israel’s continuing hegemony in the cyber realm. The true secret is whether TBD VC will be able to find those markets. Whether or not all of them succeed will be determined by their capacity to deliver excellent products.

  • The speed at which TBD VC deploys its capital.
  • The quality of the startups they attract.
  • The tangible impact of the Venture Partner program.

Keep an eye on TBD VC. This is not your typical VC fund. It’s the birthplace of revolution, born from the ashes of battle and fueled by an insatiable desire for what’s next best thing. And that’s something worth watching.

The bottom line? Keep an eye on TBD VC. This isn't just another VC fund; it's a potential catalyst for innovation, born from the ashes of conflict and fueled by a relentless pursuit of the next big thing. And that’s something worth watching.