Ross Kestin's Aliya Capital Achieves Massive Returns on SpaceX Investment

Ross Kestin, owner of Israeli football club Maccabi Netanya, has seen his investment firm, Aliya Capital, achieve a staggering profit of approximately $4.4 billion from an initial $240 million investment in Elon Musk's SpaceX. This return, representing an 1,800% gain, was realized following SpaceX's recent record-breaking IPO. Aliya Capital's strategy focuses on leveraging exclusive access to companies founded or led by alumni of the 'PayPal Mafia,' a group of successful entrepreneurs who previously worked at PayPal, including figures like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Reid Hoffman.

The firm has launched a new investment fund aimed at capitalizing on these connections. Before its official listing, Aliya had already invested in SpaceX. The fund is currently raising between $250 million and $400 million, primarily from wealthy families, with 75% of the capital earmarked for investments in companies linked to PayPal alumni.

Beyond SpaceX, Aliya Capital has also invested in other prominent technology and artificial intelligence companies such as OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, as well as Anduril, Figure AI, and Lightmatter. The current fund is designated for investments over one year, with plans for another fund in 2027. Aliya's overarching goal is to manage $15 billion in assets within the next five years.

Kestin and Aliya Capital acquired Maccabi Netanya in the summer of 2025 from Eyal Segal, and this is his second season as the club's owner. It is hoped that this successful venture will lead to increased investment in the football club.