Mor Chen

Nothing Left to Chance.

Born and raised in Israel, I’ve always had a relentless mindset. At the age of 14, I set my sights on joining Unit 8200, the most elite intelligence unit in the Israel Defense Forces, where only 1% make the cut. I was driven by a passion for technology and the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds. With no prior experience in computer science, I devoted countless hours to learning the subject. I strategized every step, and left nothing to chance. After a year of intense exams and preparation, my perseverance paid off, and I earned my place in 8200.

I was part of a small group that worked closely with the unit commander, who founded the cybersecurity unit within 8200 and pioneered the shift from human intelligence to technology and cyber automation.

This experience shaped my “be proactive, be prepared” mindset, teaching me the value of hard work, preparation, and resilience, which I carry into my work as an investor.

My “Aha” Moment

I have worked across Israel, London, and the US, transitioning from technical to business roles. I leverage the network, and expertise gained through these experiences to support founders as they navigate the complexities of building transformative companies.

After my military service, I studied computer science, and statistics at Tel Aviv University while working as a software engineer at VMware. I loved programming, but I also wanted to learn more about business, so I transitioned to strategy consulting and worked at Strategy& and worked on high-impact projects like the acquisition of a leading semiconductor company.

Recognizing that my greatest passion lay in technology, I took on the role of managing the 8200 Alumni Association’s accelerator, where I first started working with pre-seed entrepreneurs. Today, I continue to contribute as a Board Member of the 8200 Alumni Association.

Working with ambitious talent at the 8200 Accelerator was an “aha” moment. I loved being in the trenches with founders at the very beginning. It felt like I had found my own “product-market” fit. I worked with entrepreneurs at the pre-seed stage, helping with everything from ideation to finding first customers to fundraising.

Venture investing was a natural next step for me. I spent over 3 years at Accel in London and invested in 7 companies at an early stage. I was fortunate to meet Yotam the founder and CEO of Cyera when they were just getting started and we invested when the company had only a handful of early customers. As a fellow 8200 alumni, I was drawn to Yotam’s intensity and drive, and knew he could build something exceptional.

A Partner to Israeli Founders from Day One

I have a deep admiration for Israeli founders, who are not only technically exceptional but also exemplify remarkable resilience and grit—key qualities for any entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is an unpredictable journey with many setbacks. It takes people who can navigate complex challenges, weather the tough times and keep striving for excellence. I find this unique to Israeli culture and why I’m excited to continue backing founders in Israel with ambitions to build decade defining companies.