New Venture Capital Fund to Invest in Mental Health and Brain Technology
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Esther Barak-Landes, daughter of former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, and Adi Ostry Metalon are launching "Alma," a new venture capital fund focused on mental health, brain health, and longevity technologies. The fund aims to raise $40 million, primarily from private US Jewish investors, with Sheba Medical Center as a strategic partner. The initiative is spurred by the aftermath of October 7th and a global rise in mental health challenges, seeking to foster technological innovation in the field.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Esther Barak-Landes and Adi Ostry Metalon are launching the "Alma" venture capital fund.
- The fund will invest in technologies for mental health, brain health, and longevity.
- Alma aims to raise $40 million, primarily from private US Jewish investors.
- Sheba Medical Center will be the fund's strategic partner.
- The initiative is partly driven by the impact of the October 7th events on mental health.
- The fund will focus on areas like suicide prevention, addiction, and digital therapeutics.
A new venture capital fund, the first of its kind in Israel not focused on philanthropy, is set to invest in technologies for mental health, brain health, and longevity. Sources indicate that Esther Barak-Landes, daughter of former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, and Adi Ostry Metalon are in the final stages of raising $40 million for the fund, named "Alma." Sheba Medical Center will serve as the fund's strategic partner. The capital is being raised primarily from private Jewish investors in the United States.
The establishment of the fund is driven by the founders' involvement in rehabilitation and mental health following the October 7th events, and the recognition of widespread mental health challenges in Israel that current medicine may not fully address. The initiative also aims to foster the growth of this sector in Israel through new technologies, noting that hundreds of Israeli startups have emerged since 2024 developing such solutions. The need is global, with studies suggesting one in four individuals will face a mental or cognitive issue in their lifetime, according to presentations made to investors.
Alma will invest in areas including mental health, suicide prevention, addiction treatment, youth mental health, digital therapeutics, brain health, dementia, and longevity. Ostry Metalon brings over 18 years of experience in finance, strategy, and venture building, having held senior positions at Bank Leumi and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, and was a partner at J-Impact fund. Barak-Landes has over 25 years of experience leading venture capital funds and establishing ventures, with involvement in significant exits like Playtika and Payoneer. She previously served as CEO of IMA fund and founder and CEO of Nielsen Innovate fund, and held board positions at Migdal Insurance and other public companies.