Erel Margalit – World Changer from Jerusalem

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Proud to be J · World Changers from Jerusalem

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Erel Margalit

Founder & Chairman, Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP)

  • Studied mathematics and philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem before continuing his studies at Columbia University.
  • In his thirties he worked alongside legendary mayor Teddy Kollek at the Jerusalem Development Authority.
  • Founded Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) and built it from a Jerusalem headquarters into one of Israel's leading venture firms.
  • Was named to the Forbes Midas List of the world's top venture investors.
  • Helped lead the sale of Chromatis Networks to Lucent Technologies in 2000, valued at about $4.8 billion.
  • Created the JVP Media Quarter on the grounds of Jerusalem's old train station, turning neglected railway land into a creative hub.
  • Launched there what was described as Israel's first multimillion-dollar animation and gaming studio.
  • Renovated an old hangar into "The Lab", a Jerusalem venue where theatre and technology meet.
  • Chairs JVP-Community, which brought educational programs to some 3,000 children in more than a dozen schools in Jerusalem's poorer neighborhoods.
  • In September 2020 launched Margalit Startup City in Jerusalem, a planned 50,000+ square-meter hub for foodtech, cyber, media and health.
  • Served as a Member of Knesset from 2013 to 2017, on the Finance and the Foreign Affairs and Defense committees.
  • Leads the Innovation Initiative for the Mediterranean Basin, engaging 14 Arab countries in innovation and cyber cooperation.
  • His Jerusalem story shows how capital, culture and community together can bring a city's forgotten corners back to life.

From the vision of Isaiah · Isaiah 58:12

“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

וּבָנוּ מִמְּךָ חָרְבוֹת עוֹלָם, מוֹסְדֵי דוֹר וָדוֹר תְּקוֹמֵם; וְקֹרָא לְךָ גֹּדֵר פֶּרֶץ, מְשֹׁבֵב נְתִיבוֹת לָשָׁבֶת.

From old railway yards to startup hubs, he rebuilds Jerusalem's "waste places" into foundations for the next generations.

Support & connect: JVP – Jerusalem Venture Partners

Verse in English from the King James Version. Facts compiled from public sources, October 2026.

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