Women’s Day 2025 – Meet Avishag Bohbot
Mother, partner, surfer, activist, investor
Avishag Bohbot, mother of Or, Keren’s partner, with a master’s degree from Columbia, a surfer and social activist.
At Velocity, Avishag Bohbot manages the venture capital fund Velocity X, which focuses on investments in the worlds of Data and AI. The fund operates at the Inception stages, where industry seniors – all CDOs or Heads of AI – help entrepreneurs build companies, develop products and invest in groundbreaking ventures.
The Data Revolution is here
A year ago, when she realized that artificial intelligence is starting a significant data revolution, where everything will change and move towards data, Avishag decided to focus her investment thesis and specialized on a vertical fund.
The AI era requires a new toolkit for entrepreneurs
The uniqueness of Velocity X lies in the understanding that building companies in the Data and AI world requires a different toolkit than more traditional fields, like cybersecurity – where there are clear rules for establishment and growth. Instead of working according to rigid methodologies, the fund approaches each venture with a dynamic approach, adapted to the rapidly changing market, with immediate connection to relevant experts and insights from the field. CDOs and Heads of AI are the fund’s operators – provide everything needed to turn an initial idea into a breakthrough company.
Exercising the courage muscle
On October 8, 2023, Avishag and her brother provided tactical equipment to fighters in the field, established the “War Room” website, raised millions of dollars, and together managed to mobilize over 200 volunteers. Additionally, as a social activist, Avishag created a project that encouraged women to enter the water and surf, “We worked on their courage muscle to jump into our own ocean and achieved amazing success.”
People don’t remember exactly what we said to them, but how we made them feel As an inspiring figure, Avishag chose Maya Angelou – writer and poet. “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
This is a quote that Avishag connects with deeply, because it distills a truth she believes in: in the end, people don’t remember exactly what we said – but how we made them feel.
“I operate in a very competitive industry, where 95% of the time we say ‘no’ – to entrepreneurs, investments, ideas etc. This can make it cold, tense, even negative. But when we say we invest in teams, it’s not just the check we write – it’s also how we treat people, the support we give, and the value we bring to the table. I believe that when we choose to empower, compliment and help, we’re not just creating a more pleasant environment – we’re also allowing entrepreneurs to feel comfortable sharing, exposing their real challenges, and building a genuine relationship with us. It costs us nothing to be human, but it changes everything. And especially after October 7, we don’t really know what baggage everyone brings to a meeting. Being a little more sensitive, attentive and humane is not just the right thing to do – it’s also what truly remains in memory.”
You can’t be what you can’t see Avishag’s tip for entrepreneurs:
Avishag told us – “The most important thing in my view is to develop a strong belief in yourself and your path. Listen to others, learn from their tips – but ultimately, be attentive to your inner voice and trust it. ‘Trust your voice.'”
Avishag participated in a cover story and the documentary series ‘Myth Machine’, where she spoke candidly about her journey from the periphery to the venture capital world, and about dealing with the stigmas around her – woman, lesbian, from the periphery, in high-tech – while building an independent fund that operates with a unique model in the Israeli landscape.
Avishag believes that successful women encourage more women to dare and succeed. “You can’t be what you can’t see” – therefore, although she doesn’t seek exposure, if a girl from the periphery reads this and gets motivation, she knows she’s done her part. (Link to the article appears at the end of the page.)
When will we meet?
We’re planning a huge conference in the next six months… Stay Tuned!
Link to Avishag interview – https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/newstv/p-591147/s1/161337/
Avishag’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/avishagbohbot/
