Zohar Gendler’s NGT3 is an early stage investment firm that focuses on Arab and Jewish-led biotech companies. He has led the establishment and investment of more than 50 companies, including Prolor Biotech (sold to OPKO Health), Mazor Robotics, and ReWalk.
What’s the biggest opportunity in your region that’s often overlooked?
In recent years, we’ve realized that India, China, and, in the more recent months, the Arab world is a big opportunity. Especially for Israel, with an Arab minority, all speaking Arabic, connecting to the Arab world is an opportunity that we should grasp.
What was the most important decision of your career?
Understanding that my forte lies in the early stages. It started by chance, when I joined the incubator at the Technion [Israel Institute of Technology], but I have since come to realize that my passion is with young companies — taking the raw technology and turning it into a product and company.
What’s the most common misconception about investing in Israel’s tech?
Israel is looked at as a high-tech epicenter in terms of cyber, IT, etc., but, in fact, there is a huge industry of life science technologies, and 45% of the R&D funds are for medical technologies.
Which industry trend are you most concerned about?
The trend of investing at a later stage — more and more strategic players dealing with medical devices sit back and wait for companies to reach sales. In our areas, where funds are required to conduct clinical trials to cross the regulatory pathway, it is increasing the risk in achieving this milestone of market acceptance.
*This 3 Minutes With interview first appeared in Rest of World’s weekly newsletter. Sign up here.
