Omri Casspi's Venture Capital Fund Manages $800 Million in Assets
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Former NBA player Omri Casspi's venture capital firm, Swish Ventures, now manages $800 million in assets after a $250 million funding round. The fund focuses on AI, cybersecurity, and tech infrastructure, with notable early investments in Cognition AI and Upwind Security.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Omri Casspi's Swish Ventures manages $800 million in assets.
- The fund recently secured $250 million in new funding.
- Casspi earned $18 million during his NBA career.
- Swish Ventures focuses on AI, cybersecurity, and tech startups.
- Two key investments, Cognition AI and Upwind Security, have seen significant growth.
Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the NBA, has transitioned from a decade-long basketball career to significant success in venture capital. His firm, Swish Ventures, now manages approximately $800 million in assets, following a recent $250 million funding round. Casspi earned around $18 million in salary during his ten seasons in the NBA, playing for seven different teams and winning a championship ring with the Golden State Warriors in the 2017-18 season.
Founded in late 2024, Swish Ventures focuses on startups in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and technology infrastructure. According to Globes, the fund has invested in 20 companies, eight of which have become unicorns, with the total value of its portfolio exceeding $60 billion. ClutchPoints highlighted two key investments: Cognition AI, where Casspi participated in the seed round when the company was valued at $150 million and is now reportedly nearing a $47 billion valuation, and Upwind Security, initially valued at $65 million and now approaching $3.8 billion.
The new Swish fund plans to invest in about 12 companies, with an average investment of $20 million each. Casspi has explained his strategy of investing larger sums than average to secure the best opportunities. While ClutchPoints suggests Casspi is on his way to becoming a billionaire, it's important to note that the $800 million figure refers to assets managed by Swish Ventures, not Casspi's personal wealth, for which no reliable valuation is currently available.
