Leap Academy Podcast with Ilana Golan: Chemi Peres on Overcoming Personal Challenges to Build Pitango, Israel’s Largest Venture Fund

Podcast Information:

• Title: Leap Academy with Ilana Golan
• Host: Ilana Golan
• Guest: Chemi Peres, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Pitango Venture Capital
• Release Date: April 22, 2025
• Description: The Leap Academy Podcast features honest and inspiring conversations about what it takes to leap into bigger things, pursue amazing careers, and craft the life you desire. Ilana Golan engages with influential figures to uncover untold truths, emotions, and lessons that enable reinvention and significant career leaps.

Introduction

Ilana Golan welcomes Chemi Peres, the co-founder and managing partner of Pitango Venture Capital, Israel's largest venture fund with over $3 billion in assets under management and investments in over 250 startups. Chemi is also the son of Shimon Peres, the former Prime Minister of Israel, and serves as the chairman of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, where he leverages technology to foster peace and collaboration.

Notable Introduction Quote:

Ilana Golan: "Chemi continues his father's legacy in the most beautiful way. [...] Super inspiring, Chemi. I'm looking forward to this conversation. Thank you for coming." [02:33]

Growing Up with Shimon Peres

Chemi reflects on his upbringing, highlighting the profound influence of his parents. He credits his mother with instilling modesty and his father with inspiring ambition and dedication to a greater cause.

Key Points:

• Chemi describes his upbringing as a blend of his mother's modesty and his father's aspirations.
• Despite his father's busy schedule, the time they spent together was meaningful and inspiring.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "If you combine those lines, you get a beautiful picture. [...] we were lucky, and I'm grateful for that." [02:55]

Ilana probes deeper into the challenges and pressures of growing up with a dominant figure like Shimon Peres, exploring the balance between inspiration and the potential for personal strain.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "We were lucky in this family. [...] we made sure that whatever we choose, whatever we do is fine, as long as we are decent people, as long as we follow our hearts." [04:12]

Military Service and Overcoming Challenges

Chemi shares his transformative experience in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), where he aspired to become a helicopter pilot despite facing significant health challenges.

Key Points:

• Chemi enrolled in pilot school but was initially hindered by severe asthma, leading to a reduced medical profile.
• Demonstrating resilience, he fought to improve his medical status and ultimately became a combat helicopter pilot, serving 10 years in the IDF.
• Lessons learned include the importance of the human factor, the power of technology, and unwavering honesty.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "Honesty is crucial to survivability. [...] everything that we did, we briefed and debriefed every day." [08:14]

Ilana emphasizes the rarity and value of the debriefing culture in the military and its application in entrepreneurship.

Notable Quote:

Ilana Golan: "Debrief is basically when you really have to look and be really honest about what worked and what didn't work." [09:30]

Transition to Corporate and Founding Pitango

After his military service, Chemi transitioned to the Israeli Aerospace Industries, where he worked on the ambitious Laviv Project—a venture to develop an advanced jet fighter. However, the project's cancellation led to Chemi experiencing the hardship of being fired, a pivotal moment that shaped his career trajectory.

Key Points:

• The Laviv Project, despite its engineering successes, was halted due to excessive costs and strategic misalignments with the Israeli Air Force's preferences.
• Being fired from the project was a humbling experience that reinforced Chemi's resolve to control his destiny and avoid situations where he might need to make such tough decisions.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "When you are fired from a job, it doesn't matter how good you were... it's a very humiliating event." [18:17]

Determined to rebuild, Chemi leveraged opportunities to enter the venture capital space, eventually founding Pitango Venture Capital. His vision was to cultivate a vibrant startup ecosystem in Israel, recognizing the nation's potential despite its limited natural resources.

Key Points:

• Chemi initiated the first venture fund, Moffet, by leveraging government programs and raising capital through strategic partnerships.
• The successful public offering of Tower Semiconductors marked a significant milestone, solidifying Pitango's role in the Israeli startup landscape.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "I believe that the future of Israel depends on its ability to create a vibrant economy. [...] this is the right way to go." [28:14]

Building the Israeli Venture Capital Ecosystem

Chemi discusses the challenges and triumphs of establishing and expanding the venture capital ecosystem in Israel. From convincing global investors of Israel's unique potential to fostering collaborations among experienced operators, Chemi highlights the strategic initiatives that propelled Israel to become the "Startup Nation."

Key Points:

• Overcoming skepticism from investors unfamiliar with Israel's landscape.
• Establishing professional standards and partnerships within the venture community.
• Contributing to legislative and regulatory frameworks that support venture activities, such as tax exemptions for foreign investors and R&D incentives.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "I found a mission that I fell in love with and I felt that we need to build the ecosystem in Israel." [28:14]

Chemi emphasizes the continual learning process inherent in venture capital, stressing the importance of adaptability and foresight in predicting successful ventures.

Personal Loss and Its Impact

The conversation takes an emotional turn as Chemi shares the profound personal losses he endured—losing his father in 2016 and, more tragically, his son Guy in 2022. These losses have deeply influenced his outlook on legacy, resilience, and purpose.

Key Points:

• The unexpected passing of his father at 93 years old left Chemi grappling with legacy and continuity at the Peres Center.
• The sudden and heartbreaking loss of his son Guy to cardiac failure was a devastating blow, prompting Chemi and his family to honor Guy's legacy through creative and philanthropic endeavors.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "It was devastating, painful, unimaginable. [...] there's no bridge." [42:33]

Chemi and his family channel their grief into building initiatives that reflect Guy's passions and dreams, such as Yuka Monsters—a creative project aimed at fostering young talent in illustration and graphic novels.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "We chose that route. [...] we are celebrating his birthday and [...] we officially launch the publishing house." [48:28]

Legacy and Future Initiatives

Chemi outlines his commitment to carrying forward his father's and son's legacies through the Peres Center's evolving mission. This includes establishing the Future Institute, enhancing innovation programs, and expanding educational initiatives in visual communication and game design.

Key Points:

• The Future Institute focuses on proactive anticipation of technological and societal shifts, emphasizing actionable strategies over mere contemplation.
• Initiatives like privatizing peace, fostering innovation, and preparing for future disruptions aim to strengthen Israel's societal fabric and economic resilience.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "The future sets the agenda for today. [...] the past has been forgotten, the present has no meaning." [50:56]

Chemi balances his roles at Pitango and the Peres Center, integrating his professional endeavors with his philanthropic and legacy-driven projects.

Conclusion: Reflections and Lessons Learned

In closing, Chemi reflects on the invaluable lessons life has taught him, emphasizing the importance of family, resilience, and continuous learning. He shares insights on what he would tell his younger self, underscoring the significance of cherishing time with loved ones and embracing global perspectives.

Key Points:

• The irreversibility of time highlights the necessity of making meaningful connections and pursuing personal growth.
• Chemi advocates for a forward-looking mindset, focusing on future opportunities rather than dwelling on past achievements or regrets.

Notable Quote:

Chemi Peres: "Spend more time with your parents and with your kids. It's precious. [...] you are lucky [...] to be born as an Israeli at the time after the Second World War." [54:33]

Ilana commends Chemi for his inspiring journey and his role in transforming Israel's economy, fostering hope, peace, and innovation.

Final Quote:

Ilana Golan: "Thank you for the role model that you've been and instilling hope and peace and love, which I think is important." [56:14]

Key Takeaways

• Resilience in Adversity: Chemi's journey from military service to corporate challenges and personal tragedies underscores the power of resilience and adaptability.

• Building Ecosystems: Founding Pitango and contributing to Israel's venture capital landscape exemplify strategic vision and dedication to fostering innovation.

• Legacy and Purpose: Personal losses have deepened Chemi's commitment to creating meaningful legacies through philanthropy and continuous societal contributions.

• Forward-Looking Mindset: Emphasizing the importance of focusing on the future, Chemi advocates for proactive strategies to navigate technological and societal changes.

Accessing Chemi Peres’s Initiatives

Listeners interested in Chemi Peres's projects can explore his work through the following platforms:

• Yuka Monsters: yucamonsters.com
• Shankar Visual School: ShankarSGNKAR (Please replace # with the actual link if available.)
• Future Institute and Peres Center Initiatives: Detailed information available on the Peres Center's official website.

Engage with Leap Academy

If you found this conversation inspiring, share it with friends and explore more resources:

• Free 30-Minute Training: Visit leapacademy.com/training for a comprehensive training session designed to elevate your career and leadership skills.

This episode of the Leap Academy Podcast with Ilana Golan offers a profound narrative of overcoming personal and professional challenges, building influential ventures, and honoring legacies through purposeful action. Chemi Peres's story serves as a testament to resilience, vision, and the enduring impact of dedication to a greater cause.