Investors Hila Rom and Tammy Mahn on Wednesday announced the launch of FutureFirst, a $50 million venture capital fund aimed at backing early-stage startups developing industry-specific artificial intelligence solutions.
The fund is launching as the AI market shifts from general-purpose models to so-called “vertical AI” systems tailored to specific industries. FutureFirst said it will focus on seed-stage investments in the sector, which it described as one of the fastest-growing segments of the technology market and projected to exceed $100 billion by 2034.
The fund plans to target specialized AI solutions embedded in core business processes, seeking to transform decision-making, operations and growth across sectors including finance, health care and manufacturing.
Rom and Mahn bring more than two decades of combined experience founding, leading and investing in technology companies, from seed stage through exits and initial public offerings.
Rom is an attorney, serial entrepreneur and investor who has served as CEO, chief business officer and board member at companies ranging from early-stage ventures to unicorns, including Tipalti. She previously held executive roles at the Yakhin-Hakal Group and served as CEO of innovation company Makers. In 2025, she was named Woman of the Year in Tech by the High-Tech Association. Most recently, she founded and managed RUNI Ventures, where she was an early investor in startups including Hear, Localbird, Canotera and Shopeaks. Rom graduated with honors from Tel Aviv University and is a former officer in the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade.
Mahn is a veteran venture capital investor and fund manager who has led investments in companies that achieved significant exits and public listings, including Varonis, Cellwize, Iguazio, Vdoo and VideoSurf. Most recently, she served as managing partner at Verizon Ventures, overseeing the U.S. telecommunications company’s investments in Israel and Europe. She previously was a co-founding partner at Moonscape Ventures and held senior investment roles at Pitango and Evergreen. Mahn holds undergraduate and graduate degrees with honors from the Technion and Tel Aviv University and is a former officer in an elite Israeli intelligence unit.
FutureFirst said it has already secured commitments for half of its $50 million target from senior industry executives in the United States and Europe, who are expected to actively support portfolio companies by refining their value propositions and connecting them with enterprise customers. The firm said it is in advanced talks with additional investors ahead of its final closing.
The fund will operate in strategic partnership with Brooks-Keret, a CFO-as-a-Service firm in Israel’s technology sector. Brooks-Keret said companies in its portfolio have achieved cumulative exits exceeding $20 billion. The firm, which employs 200 professionals, supports more than 450 startups annually in Israel and the United States, providing business and financial advisory services from early stages. Investment activity on behalf of Brooks-Keret will be led by Sharon Goldman.
Joining Rom and Mahn at FutureFirst is Tomer Golan, who will serve as principal, overseeing deal management and industry relations in Israel and abroad. Golan previously served on the investment team at RUNI Ventures and as CEO of the Momentum accelerator at Reichman University, and is a former officer in an elite military unit.
FutureFirst’s establishment was represented by the law firm Goldfarb Gross Seligman & Co., led by Dr. Eyal Shenhav, who specializes in structuring and managing investment funds.
“We are at the dawn of the most profound technological transformation since the Internet, where AI will reinvent every industry — from finance to health care,” Rom and Mahn said in a joint statement. “FutureFirst was created to give these founders direct access to global markets and the business-financial support needed to scale and deliver exceptional returns to our investors.”
First published: 04:54, 02.26.26