Battery Ventures adds to Israeli office

Technology-focused venture capital and private equity firm Battery Ventures will continue its expansion abroad, shifting general partner Scott Tobin and senior associate David Sokolic to the firm’s Herzilya office in the fall.

The two will join the firm’s current Israel-based executives, Avi Domoshevizki and Ronit Koren.

Tobin joined Battery in 1997, helping lead the US firm’s highly successful investments in wireless communication company MetroPCS and The London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange. Prior to joining Battery, Tobin worked in the investment banking division of First Albany.

Sokolic began working at Battery last year after serving as program manager at Microsoft.

Battery began investing in Israel in 1995, opening the Herzilya office three years ago. Some of the firm’s more successful Israeli investments include software developer Kashya, ultimately acquired by EMC for $153 million in 2006, and network communications specialist RADNET, exited via a sale toSiemens for $75 million in 1997.

Battery’s current Israeli portfolio includes Anobit Technologies, a fabless semiconductor company targeting the flash memory market; and Freshpoint, a developer of time temperature technology for the global food industry.
 
Headquartered in Boston and Silicon Valley, Battery has shown an interest in heightening its international presence. Earlier this year, it augmented its Indian investment team and said it would open a Mumbai office sometime in the fourth quarter.