Built from experience. Designed to scale.
Merlin Ventures is U.S.-based, Israeli-focused early-stage cybersecurity fund shaped by decades of hands-on experience in the market it invests in. We partner with founders at the most critical stage — when product, market, and go-to-market decisions determine everything that comes next.
From Zero to One
Where early decisions make or break the company.
We invest at the zero-to-one stage — the moment where companies make product and go-to-market decisions that determine the future of the company and whether it will find real momentum or stall. The choices aren’t theoretical — they directly determine whether a company earns trust, traction, and the right to scale.
At this stage, we don’t operate as observers. We work alongside founders to pressure-test assumptions, shape positioning, and align the product with real customer pain — long before those decisions become expensive to change.
Community as a Force Multiplier
Direct access to the market.
Merlin’s value creation is rooted in continuous, direct engagement with the market. Our network includes more than 600 CISOs and senior security practitioners across the U.S. and globally — security leaders operating inside complex, high-stakes environments who actively exchange insights, challenges, and priorities.
The community is intentionally structured around domains of expertise and geographic focus, enabling relevance and trust at scale. For our portfolio companies, this translates into early, high-signal feedback and the ability to build relationships with the people who influence real buying decisions.
How We Create Value
Go-to-market, built on mutual value.
Merlin’s value creation is driven by execution and alignment. Our business development team works hands-on with portfolio companies on positioning, market entry, and early sales motions — operating as an extension of the company rather than an external advisor.
At the same time, we work closely with CISOs to understand their real-world challenges, priorities, and constraints. Connections are made only when there is a clear, mutual fit — ensuring that founders gain meaningful access, and security leaders engage with solutions that genuinely address their needs.
This two-sided approach turns go-to-market into a shared process: grounded in relevance, built on trust, and designed to create outcomes that work for both sides.
Communities & Events
Time well spent.
Merlin’s communities are designed to create long-lasting value for everyone in the room, not just transactional engagements to sell product.
CISOs connect with peers navigating similar challenges. Founders engage with others facing the same stage-defining decisions. These internal connections enable shared learning and growth that extend far beyond any single interaction.
Our operations and events team curates every detail with intention. Formats, participants, and timing are carefully considered to ensure relevance and depth. We approach every gathering with a simple standard: if it’s not worth showing up for, we don’t do it.
The Merlin Platform
From seed to scale.
Merlin operates as part of an integrated platform designed to support cybersecurity companies as they grow. Merlin Ventures focuses on early-stage investment, helping founders reach meaningful traction and build a foundation for scale.
Beyond the fund, our broader platform includes a dedicated go-to-market engine and direct access to the U.S. federal market. Together, these layers shorten sales cycles, accelerate validation, and help companies move from early momentum to real revenue with greater confidence.
We believe results speak loudest when they’re built into the work — and reflected in the companies that scale beyond us.
Discover Your Go-To-Market Team
Merlin is built for founders who value clarity, execution, and partnership — and for partners who believe early-stage success is earned through the work.