Updated
Updated · CTech · Jun 28
Yotam Alroy Launches $25 Million Pitlane Fund for Family Business Buyouts
Updated
Updated · CTech · Jun 28

Yotam Alroy Launches $25 Million Pitlane Fund for Family Business Buyouts

1 articles · Updated · CTech · Jun 28

Summary

  • $25 million Pitlane Capital has begun raising money in Israel to back search funds that acquire small family-owned businesses facing founder retirements and no clear successor.
  • An initial closing has already brought in angel investors, fund managers and family offices, with Alroy joined by operating partner Omer Ben Shach, who has made more than 60 ETA-sector investments.
  • Pitlane will not buy companies directly; it will spread capital across entrepreneur-managers who each pursue one profitable target, then run it and upgrade operations after the acquisition.
  • The strategy follows the U.S. ETA model, where a 2024 Stanford study found a record number of search funds launched in 2023; median deals were $14 million and reported returns averaged about 35%.
  • Alroy, 46, co-founded Mindspace 12 years ago and is bringing a niche private-equity-style approach to a market still under $1 billion in annual transaction volume.

Insights

With 92% of family businesses at risk of closing, can a US-born investment model truly save Israel's local companies?
As millions of founders retire, is 'Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition' a lifeline for their legacies or a corporate takeover in disguise?