An Interview with Mr. Gadi Toren, Partner at Partech International - Israel
Gadi Toren has been with Partech International for about a year, after spending 2 years in private investment activities and 6 years with Apax Partners & Co in Israel and London. After completing his military service as a helicopter pilot, Gadi worked at Elbit Systems as head of the product management group for 6 years. He has a BA in economics and management at Tel Aviv University and an MBA from INSEAD. Gadi and his wife have a 4.5 years old son and live in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Partech International Gadi’s Linkedin Profile
Yaron Bazaz: Hi Gadi, You were the Head of the Product Management Group at Elbit. How did you find yourself involved with Venture Capital activities?
Gadi Toren:
“One of the reasons for leaving my position at Elbit was to branch out of the defense electronics world that, in a sense, was an extension of my army career. I decided to go to an international business school in order to open a wider playing field of options, both in terms of geography and sector.”
“VC offered at the time (and still does) a diverse and dynamic area that combined my interests in technology, on the one hand, and in business. I find VC to combine analytical, personal, technical and business skills in a unique blend.”
Y.B: What lead Partech international to establish local branch in Israel at 2002?
Gadi Toren: “Partech started its ‘life’ as an international organization, acting as the technology investment arm of a French bank in the US. Soon after Partech was bought out by its management team and became a ‘typical’ venture fund, it branched out and started investing in Europe by opening an office in Paris. The partners at Partech have all had international experience and as such, Jean Marc Patouillaud, the partner who set up the Paris office has had a very successful track record with investments in Israel. Read more »»
