Itay Ben-Ari

WHAT WE DO: The Elephant Brokerag (formerly Privatequity.biz) seeks to create a scenario that benefits all participants via the secondary transactions platform it facilitates; INVESTORS & HIGH-TECH EMPLOYEES - YOUR BENEFITS: Investors gain access to previously inaccessible shares of Target Companies (the leading innovative firms in the world) while shareholders in these Target Companies gain access to liquidity prior to an exit or an IPO, especially “small” investors and “small” shareholders who lack the resources and/or ability of putting together a secondary market transaction on their own. RESULTS: The result is a secondary market platform for real world, technologically enhanced.

 The company provides investment services in the capital market on behalf of UHNI, privet individuals, corporations, municipalities, foundations, and institutional clients.  Led the strategic transformation and expansion of Phoenix’s $3.5B AUM portfolio management business, overseeing over 40 professionals across investment strategy, operations, risk management, and client relations.  Led and executed three M&A transactions in the asset management divisions that broadened Phoenix’s institutional reach and diversified its investment offering, enlarging the AUM, solidifying the firm’s position among Israel’s leading and most innovative investment houses.

 Founded and built the Alternative Investments Division from inception, establishing multiple private equity vehicles and raising over $120M within a year. Directed a comprehensive financial and operational structuring that established long term profitability.  Sourcing, Analyzing, DD, Product Structuring (legal/Tax), Marketing and rising capital  Privet Equity, Hedge Fund, Privet debt (Structured debt, Special situation debt), Natural Resources, Cryptocurrency, Secondary investments, venture capital and Real-estate.

 Oversaw all aspects of the bank's investment advisory business for clients, including planning & executing, regulation, compliance, operations, and personnel management, training and guidance.  During my tenure at Mercantile Bank, I led the expansion of advisory services, driving significant growth in both business and client reach. I spearheaded an organizational transformation, implementing matrix structures that resulted in substantial improvements in profitability and service metrics within the business unit. Key initiatives included transitioning from branch-based advisory to dedicated Investment Centers managed professionally with a clear investment focus, optimization of team structure, as well as designing and implementing advanced advisory systems to support decision-making and ensure compliance.  A permanent member of the Discount Group Investment Committee (IC).

 During my tenure at Union Bank of Israel Ltd, I served as Director of Private Banking, overseeing high-net-worth clients, and the Head of the Special Private Banking Team, overseeing high-volume and complex credit leverage financial portfolios.  I led the private banking teams, driving business development, sales initiatives, and client relationship management.  My responsibilities included market risk management, monitoring utilization of credit facilities, and managing exposure of high-volume corporate clients.  I pioneered the bank’s high-frequency securities trading activities, implementing trading systems and robust risk management processes, and acted as a credit officer, underwriting complex, tailor-made credit structures for capital market trading and financial asset management.