BGU's Cactus Capital Backs 35 Startups as 14 Win Follow-On Funding
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 25
BGU's Cactus Capital Backs 35 Startups as 14 Win Follow-On Funding
1 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 25
Summary
Thirty-five startups have received backing from Ben-Gurion University’s student-run Cactus Capital fund, and 14 of them later secured follow-on investment.
About 200 student ventures apply each year, while selected students first train in Cactus Academy and then spend a year inside the fund evaluating founders, markets and deals.
Top participants move into management roles, making the program both an investment vehicle and a pipeline that gives undergraduates direct responsibility over real capital.
Founded within BGU’s Yazamut 360 entrepreneurship center, the model has become a draw for students and a broader test of how universities can turn venture investing into hands-on entrepreneurial education.
What is the secret to this Israeli university’s success in turning student investors into venture capital power players?
How does letting students invest real millions reshape the future of both education and startup creation?
Cactus Capital: Israel’s First $1M Student-Run VC Fund Driving Social Impact and Entrepreneurial Education at Ben-Gurion University
Overview
After the challenging events of October 7, 2023, Cactus Capital showed strong resilience by maintaining its core investment philosophy and commitment to impactful entrepreneurship. The firm continued to support social ventures, fully integrating them into its investment strategy. Social startups were treated as essential parts of the entrepreneurial landscape, receiving the same rigorous evaluation and support as other ventures. By consistently investing in companies that address critical social issues like women’s health and education, and applying high standards across its portfolio, Cactus Capital reinforced its dedication to both innovation and meaningful social impact during difficult times.