We are looking to invest in category defining start-ups in AS&D sectors
We bring our unique capabilities to help shape the future of AS&D
Vision and Thesis
Our mission with Ace is clear: to identify, invest in, and support the most promising start-ups that will shape the future of aerospace and defense technology.
We focus predominantly on companies in their series A and B funding rounds across aerospace and defense verticals, both civilian and military. Our investments are global, with a specific focus on Israel.
We believe that there is enormous and largely untapped potential in the defense tech sector, and it is this potential we aim to unlock.
Our commitment goes beyond financial support. Our portfolio companies gain:
- Unparalleled industry insights
- Strategic guidance
- Access to a vast and global network of industry contacts
Our Team
Ace Capital Partners, a partnership between Key1 Capital and Aerospace Spirit, brings together a unique blend of military expertise, investment acumen, and long-term capital. Our team is led by MG (Ret.) Amikam Norkin and BG (Ret.) Shimon Tsentsiper, both founders of Aerospace Spirit as well Amit Pilowsky, Danny Ackerman, and Sarel Eldor, Partners at Key1 Capital. These combined forces bring extensive global networks and market access with sharp business strategy and execution expertise.
MG (Ret.) Amikam Norkin
BG (Ret.) Shimon Tsentsiper
BG (Ret.) Shimon Tsentsiper
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
Amikam is the Co-founder and the Chairman of Aerospace Spirit.
Prior founding Aerospace Spirit, Amikam Commanded on the Israeli Air force during complex operational situation.
Amikam Led a major transform of the air force to the fifth generation implementing digital transformation across the organization.
Amika
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
Amikam is the Co-founder and the Chairman of Aerospace Spirit.
Prior founding Aerospace Spirit, Amikam Commanded on the Israeli Air force during complex operational situation.
Amikam Led a major transform of the air force to the fifth generation implementing digital transformation across the organization.
Amikam retired After 38 years of career as a fighter pilot, commanding on 2 squadrons (F15, F16), Operations headquarters, Large AFB, AF Deputy and the Head of IDF Planning Directorate.
Amikam earned an MA From Haifa University in 2008, an BA from the Haifa University in 1993.
BG (Ret.) Shimon Tsentsiper
BG (Ret.) Shimon Tsentsiper
BG (Ret.) Shimon Tsentsiper
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
Shimon is the Co-founder and the CEO of Aerospace Spirit.
Prior founding Aerospace Spirit, Shimon Commanded on the Israeli Air Force's Technology sector in his last position as the Head of Materiel Directorate (BG).
Shimon Retires after 28 years of career as an Engineer and technology expert leading a large and
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
Shimon is the Co-founder and the CEO of Aerospace Spirit.
Prior founding Aerospace Spirit, Shimon Commanded on the Israeli Air Force's Technology sector in his last position as the Head of Materiel Directorate (BG).
Shimon Retires after 28 years of career as an Engineer and technology expert leading a large and complex organization, managing hundreds of tech development projects.
Shimon earned an MA From the Haifa University in 2013, an MBA from the Ben-Gurion University in 2001, and B.Sc from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology in 1995
Amit Pilowski
Amit Pilowski
Amit Pilowski
Co-Founder
Amit is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Key1 Capital. Prior founding Key1 in January 2022, Amit held various leadership roles at Goldman Sachs in both Tel Aviv and London offices, from February 2005 to May 2021, including Head of Consumer and Retail team at the Cross Markets Group in EMEA and as head of Food, Beverage and Foo
Co-Founder
Amit is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Key1 Capital. Prior founding Key1 in January 2022, Amit held various leadership roles at Goldman Sachs in both Tel Aviv and London offices, from February 2005 to May 2021, including Head of Consumer and Retail team at the Cross Markets Group in EMEA and as head of Food, Beverage and Food Ingredients in EMEA.
Amit also serves as a member of the board of directors of Nomad Foods (NYSE: NOMD), and Movendo Capital, a Netherlands-based registered investment company.
Amit served in the Israeli Air Force from July 1993 to January 2004, retiring as a Major.
Amit holds an MBA degree from INSEAD, France, in 2004.
Danny Akerman
Amit Pilowski
Amit Pilowski
Co-Founder
Danny is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Key1 Capital.
Prior to founding Key1 Capital, Danny spent 10 years at Goldman Sachs in its Tel Aviv office, where he initially led the company’s origination and execution of TMT investment banking advisory work and subsequently headed its investment banking practice.
Prior to joining Gol
Co-Founder
Danny is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Key1 Capital.
Prior to founding Key1 Capital, Danny spent 10 years at Goldman Sachs in its Tel Aviv office, where he initially led the company’s origination and execution of TMT investment banking advisory work and subsequently headed its investment banking practice.
Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Danny worked for JPMorgan and Credit Suisse in NY in their Financial Institutions Groups, and prior to that at AIG in NY Danny was previously the Israeli national champion and an All-American in gymnastics.
Danny earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 2003, and a BBA from Temple University’s School of Business in 1997.
Sarel Eldor
Amit Pilowski
Sarel Eldor
Co-Founder
Sarel is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Key1 Capital.
Prior to founding Key1 Capital, Sarel was the CEO of Goldman Sachs Israel and Head of the firm’s Growth Markets Financing Group in London. Sarel first joined Goldman Sachs in New York in 2001 in its Financing Group and relocated to Tel – Aviv in 2007 to open its Israel off
Co-Founder
Sarel is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Key1 Capital.
Prior to founding Key1 Capital, Sarel was the CEO of Goldman Sachs Israel and Head of the firm’s Growth Markets Financing Group in London. Sarel first joined Goldman Sachs in New York in 2001 in its Financing Group and relocated to Tel – Aviv in 2007 to open its Israel office.
Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Sarel was an IT engineer in Phillips Medical systems in Israel and the US.
Sarel was a Captain (Ret.) in the Israeli Military.
Sarel earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2002, and a B.Sc. from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology in 1999.
Roni Kenelbaum
Roni Kenelbaum
Roni Kenelbaum
Principal
Prior to joining Ace, Roni was an investment director at OurCrowd, managing investments in the Defense and Energy sectors.
Roni is a skilled business development and investment professional, with over two decades of experience developing, managing and investing in deep-tech, cutting edge multi-disciplinary initiatives. As an inve
Principal
Prior to joining Ace, Roni was an investment director at OurCrowd, managing investments in the Defense and Energy sectors.
Roni is a skilled business development and investment professional, with over two decades of experience developing, managing and investing in deep-tech, cutting edge multi-disciplinary initiatives. As an investment director at OurCrowd, Israel most active VC with more than $2.5B AUM, Roni was the main focal point for 35 portfolio companies and 6 incubators, leading and managing investments of early stage to growth companies.
Roni holds a B.Sc. in aerospace engineering and M.E in system engineering both from the Technion and MBA specializing in strategy and business development from the IDC
Amit Avraham
Roni Kenelbaum
Roni Kenelbaum
Investment Professional
Prior to joining Ace, Amit gained experience at the Ministry of Finance as an economic analyst in the Chief Economic Division, at a consulting firm, and within the venture capital industry.
Amit served in the Israeli defense forces, where he led the development and integration of edge technology.
Amit holds a B.A. in
Investment Professional
Prior to joining Ace, Amit gained experience at the Ministry of Finance as an economic analyst in the Chief Economic Division, at a consulting firm, and within the venture capital industry.
Amit served in the Israeli defense forces, where he led the development and integration of edge technology.
Amit holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics (PPE) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Asif Yaakobi
Roni Kenelbaum
Asif Yaakobi
Office Manager
Prior to joining Ace, Asif served in the Israel Air force coordination of forces in operational activity. Asif brings experience in office operation and human resources and task management.
Contact Us
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