UpWest, a leading venture capital fund dedicated to pre-seed and seed-stage investments in Israeli technology startups, has announced the appointment of Lia Cromwell as its third partner. This strategic promotion is designed to enhance the firm’s investment activities in Israel, where UpWest has already made significant contributions to over 100 startups.
Cromwell, who has been with UpWest since 2017, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of both the Israeli and U.S. markets. Born and raised in New York to an Israeli-American family, Cromwell made Aliyah to Israel to join UpWest, a move that marked the beginning of a successful journey in venture capital. Before her tenure at UpWest, she was an early team member at FiscalNote, a Govtech company now listed on the Nasdaq. She also gained valuable experience as a credit analyst at a boutique New York firm specializing in technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sectors.
Throughout her time at UpWest, Cromwell has played a pivotal role in driving the firm’s investment strategy, particularly within Israel. As an Associate, she was instrumental in leading the firm’s investment team in the region, providing crucial support to entrepreneurs, and spearheading investments in emerging startups. Her new role as a partner will see her furthering these efforts, focusing on scaling UpWest’s impact within the Israeli technology ecosystem and aiding Israeli startups in their expansion into the U.S. market.
The appointment of Cromwell comes during a period of significant activity for UpWest. Despite the broader economic challenges, the firm has reported its most active investment period in recent years. Over the past year, UpWest has expanded its team in Israel and led numerous investments in diverse sectors, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, digital health, biotech, and govtech. This expansion underscores UpWest’s commitment to identifying and nurturing high-potential startups across a broad spectrum of innovative fields.
The promotion of Cromwell to partner is a testament to her exceptional contributions and the firm’s strategic vision. Her appointment is expected to enhance UpWest’s capabilities in providing strategic guidance, product planning, and market penetration support to its portfolio companies. With her expertise in navigating both Israeli and U.S. markets, Cromwell will be instrumental in fostering growth and ensuring the successful scaling of startups within UpWest’s portfolio.
The firm has established a strong track record of early investments in successful technology companies, including SentinelOne, HoneyBook, Stampli, BeeHero, and Zenity. The addition of Cromwell as a partner is expected to further strengthen UpWest’s position as a leading venture capital player, committed to supporting innovation and driving success in the global technology landscape.
In her new role, Cromwell will continue to build on UpWest’s legacy of excellence, working closely with Israeli entrepreneurs to harness opportunities for growth and expansion in the competitive U.S. market. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for UpWest as it continues to champion the next generation of technology companies poised to make a global impact.
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