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YL Ventures is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 2022, headquartered in New York, with a strong focus on early-stage investments in the cybersecurity sector. With assets under management totaling $800 million across five funds, YL Ventures has established itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape, particularly noted for its concentrated approach to seed investments. The firm has been recognized as the only cybersecurity-focused VC in PitchBook's top 10 for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024, and was named a TIME Magazine Top US VC in 2025. YL Ventures has a robust portfolio comprising 69 companies, including notable unicorns such as Axonius and Orca Security. The firm is strategically positioned in major innovation hubs, including Silicon Valley, New York, and Tel Aviv, allowing it to tap into a diverse range of cybersecurity innovations.
YL Ventures specializes in seed-stage investments within the cybersecurity domain, emphasizing innovative solutions that enhance security across various environments, including SaaS, cloud, and on-premises systems. The firm adopts a concentrated investment strategy, with 31 seed investments and 4 Series A investments out of a total of 69 portfolio companies. The average seed check size is approximately $9.99 million, reflecting YL Ventures' commitment to backing high-potential startups. The firm particularly seeks out Israeli founders who are building core security infrastructure, leveraging a network of over 100 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from Fortune 100 companies for customer validation and product feedback. This unique approach not only supports the startups in achieving early product-market fit but also enhances their go-to-market strategies and talent acquisition efforts.
YL Ventures boasts a diverse portfolio of 69 companies, with significant successes including unicorns like Axonius and Orca Security. The firm has achieved notable exits, such as Twistlock, which was acquired by Palo Alto Networks, and Spera, which was acquired by Okta. Recent investments include Opti, which received a $20 million seed round in 2025, and Hush Security, also set to launch in 2025. The firm’s portfolio reflects a strong focus on various sectors within cybersecurity, including application security, data loss prevention, cloud security, and identity management, showcasing its commitment to fostering innovation in critical areas of digital security.
Yoav Leitersdorf - Managing Partner: Yoav has extensive experience in the cybersecurity sector and leads the firm’s investment strategy. Roni Shalev - Partner: Roni focuses on identifying and supporting innovative cybersecurity startups, leveraging his deep industry connections.
To pitch YL Ventures, founders should prepare a detailed pitch deck that outlines their business model, market opportunity, and competitive advantages. While specific submission guidelines are not provided, a well-structured approach is recommended. Founders may consider reaching out through professional networks for warm introductions, as this can enhance the likelihood of engagement.
In 2025, YL Ventures made headlines by being recognized as a TIME Magazine Top US VC, highlighting its significant impact in the venture capital landscape. The firm has also been active in the investment space, with five notable investments in the last twelve months, including Opti and Hush Security, both set to launch in 2025. This recognition and ongoing investment activity underscore YL Ventures' commitment to fostering innovation in the cybersecurity sector.
YL Ventures primarily invests in seed, Series A, and Series B stages, focusing on early-stage cybersecurity startups. Their concentrated approach allows them to provide significant support to companies at these critical growth phases.
Founders interested in pitching YL Ventures should prepare a comprehensive presentation that highlights their unique value proposition, market potential, and how their solution addresses specific cybersecurity challenges. While specific pitch submission guidelines are not provided, a well-structured pitch deck is essential.
YL Ventures specializes exclusively in the cybersecurity sector, investing in areas such as application security, data loss prevention, cloud security, and identity management. Their focus on cybersecurity innovation is a key differentiator in their investment strategy.
The average check size for seed investments at YL Ventures is approximately $9.99 million. This substantial investment allows them to support startups effectively as they develop and scale their solutions.
YL Ventures has a geographic focus that includes Europe, Israel, and the United States. This broad reach enables them to tap into diverse markets and innovative cybersecurity solutions.
YL Ventures offers extensive support to its portfolio companies, including access to a network of over 100 CISOs for customer validation and product feedback. They also provide go-to-market support and talent acquisition assistance to help startups achieve early product-market fit.
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