How can values create value? Join Venture Capitalist and Author Michael Eisenberg as he speaks with global business leaders to explore the values and purpose behind their businesses, the impact of technology on humanity, and the humanity behind digitization. Michael Eisenberg is Co-Founder and General Partner of Aleph, an early-stage venture capital fund with $850M under management in Tel Aviv, Israel. Aleph is an early stage venture capital fund focused on partnering with great Israeli entrepreneurs to build large, meaningful companies and impactful global brands.
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How can values create value? Join Venture Capitalist and Author Michael Eisenberg as he speaks with global business leaders to explore the values and purpose behind their businesses, the impact of technology on humanity, and the humanity behind digitization. Michael Eisenberg is Co-Founder and General Partner of Aleph, an early-stage venture capital fund with $850M under management in Tel Aviv, Israel. Aleph is an early stage venture capital fund focused on partnering with great Israeli entrepreneurs to build large, meaningful companies and impactful global brands.
Omri Casspi on Life After the NBA as a Venture Capitalist, Bringing Elon Musk to Israel, Sports Philosophy in Investing, Getting Founders to Trust Him, and the Story He Never Told Anyone | Invested
Invested by Aleph
1 hour 5 minutes
7 months ago
Omri Casspi on Life After the NBA as a Venture Capitalist, Bringing Elon Musk to Israel, Sports Philosophy in Investing, Getting Founders to Trust Him, and the Story He Never Told Anyone | Invested
On this episode of Invested, Michael hosts Omri Casspi. Omri was a trailblazing Israeli professional basketball player, becoming the first Israeli-born athlete to play in the NBA. He enjoyed a 11-year career in the league, playing for teams including the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors—where he won an NBA championship in 2018—and Memphis Grizzlies, among others.
After retiring Omri immediately transitioned into venture capital, co-founding Sheva in 2022 with $36 million to invest in early-stage startups, followed by Swish Ventures in 2024, raising $60 million to focus on cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and AI. Managing $200 million in assets, he backs standout companies like Upwind, Eon, and many others.
Please rate this episode 5 stars wherever you stream your podcasts!
KEY TOPICS
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:01:10] On Being the First Israeli NBA Player
[00:03:30] Why Trailblazers Inspire Other People
[00:09:02] Sports Experience Helps Omri Support Founders
[00:11:15] Omri’s Pursuit of Excellence
[00:14:51] Investing in Ohio Real Estate
[00:19:10] Preparing for the Future
[00:20:38] The Team Omri Wanted to Play For
[00:22:20] Dealing With Setbacks
[00:26:27] Omri’s Venture Fund & Understanding Investing
[00:31:24] Founder Hesitations to Omri as an Investor
[00:36:13] Different Investing Styles in VC
[00:38:50] Why Do Israeli Startups Fail?
[00:43:14] Omri’s Favorite Investors and Funds
[00:45:02] Growing Jewish Identity in the U.S.
[00:48:50] Omri’s Parenting Style
[00:50:15] Admiring This Generation of Israelis
[00:52:27] Bringing Elon Musk to Israel
[00:54:46] Antisemitism in the NBA
[00:55:27] Living in the Public Eye and Starting a Podcast
[00:59:00] Parenting Children as a High-Achiever
[01:01:35] Closing Questions
RESOURCES
Follow Omri on LinkedIn
Follow Omri on X
Subscribe to Invested
Learn more about Aleph
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Follow Michael on Twitter
Follow Michael on LinkedIn
Follow Aleph on Twitter
Follow Aleph on LinkedIn
Follow Aleph on Instagram
CREDITS
Executive Producer: Erica Marom
Producer: Yoni Mayer
Video and Editing: Ron Baranov
Music and Creative Direction: Uri Ar
Content and Editorial: Kira Goldring
Design: Rony Karadi
Invested by Aleph
How can values create value? Join Venture Capitalist and Author Michael Eisenberg as he speaks with global business leaders to explore the values and purpose behind their businesses, the impact of technology on humanity, and the humanity behind digitization. Michael Eisenberg is Co-Founder and General Partner of Aleph, an early-stage venture capital fund with $850M under management in Tel Aviv, Israel. Aleph is an early stage venture capital fund focused on partnering with great Israeli entrepreneurs to build large, meaningful companies and impactful global brands.
