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LionBird
LionBird, co-founded by Robert Schwartz and Chaim Schiff in 2012, runs a Tel Aviv-Chicago venture firm bridging Israeli tech and US market access.
LionBird
LionBird is an SEC-registered investment adviser, established in Tel Aviv in 2025. It has been registered since then.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
2012
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Middle East
Country
Israel
City
Tel Aviv
Corporate office
Tel Aviv, Israel
Additional offices
Chicago, IL, United States
Principals
Robert Schwartz
Managing Partner
Chaim Schiff
Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who invests at LionBird — and what's the decision-making structure?
Managing Partners Robert Schwartz and Chaim Schiff lead investment decisions, drawing on their respective operator backgrounds and the broader investment team across Tel Aviv and Chicago. The firm runs a concentrated portfolio model, meaning each partner is directly involved in diligence and post-investment board work. No external investment committee governs their process.
How does LionBird source deals across two countries?
The firm's Tel Aviv office captures early-stage Israeli startups, particularly in enterprise software, cybersecurity, and digital health. The Chicago office connects portfolio companies to US commercial partners, customers, and follow-on capital. This dual-presence model means LionBird can source technical founders locally while structuring a US-facing growth plan from day one.
Does LionBird invest in companies outside Israel?
LionBird primarily backs Israeli-founded or Israeli-based companies, but its US office can source and support deals in North America when the thesis fits. The firm's stated focus is Israeli innovation scaled through US markets, so exceptions are rare and typically involve diaspora founding teams.
What check size and stage does LionBird target?
Initial checks typically range $1–3 million, targeting pre-seed to Series A rounds. LionBird reserves capital for follow-on investments in portfolio companies that hit commercial milestones. The firm leads rounds selectively and prefers board-level engagement.
Is LionBird a generalist VC or sector-specific?
LionBird is thesis-driven within specific sectors: enterprise software, digital health, fintech, and cybersecurity. The firm does not invest in consumer apps, hardware, or pure-play biotech. This concentration reflects the technical strengths of Israeli founding teams and the go-to-market expertise of the Chicago partnership group.
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