Samsung NEXT (Tel Aviv) is/was the Tel Aviv arm of Samsung NEXT — Samsung Electronics’ global innovation, venture and product development unit that invests in, partners with, and builds software-and-services startups to complement Samsung’s hardware business. Samsung NEXT runs investment funds, product studios and business development programs focused on software, AI, healthtech, consumer services and frontier technologies, and opened a Tel Aviv office as part of its international expansion in 2017[1][4].
High‑level overview
- Mission: Invest in and partner with founders to build software and services that complement Samsung’s hardware-led business and unlock new consumer and enterprise experiences[1][4].
- Investment philosophy: Multi‑stage VC that combines direct investments, operating support and product/build capabilities to help early‑stage startups scale; Samsung NEXT pairs capital with Samsung platform access and engineering/Go‑to‑market resources[1][4].
- Key sectors: AI and machine learning, intelligent machines/hardware‑adjacent software, healthtech, consumer services (media, gaming, fintech), blockchain and other frontier tech[4][3].
- Impact on the startup ecosystem: Provides capital plus an uncommon corporate platform (Samsung’s distribution, device and manufacturing footprint) and product resources; has deployed funds globally and opened local offices including Tel Aviv to source and accelerate regional founders[1][4].
Origin story
- Founding year and evolution: Samsung NEXT evolved from Samsung’s Global Innovation Center and was publicly rebranded as Samsung NEXT in 2017 when it also announced a $150M Samsung NEXT Fund to scale early‑stage investments and expand international offices including Tel Aviv[1]. Samsung NEXT as an organization traces to Samsung’s broader innovation push begun earlier in the 2010s and formalized under the NEXT brand and fund in 2017[1][2].
- Key partners / local presence: Samsung NEXT runs teams in Mountain View, New York, San Francisco, Korea and launched a Tel Aviv office as part of that international expansion in 2017 to tap Israel’s startup ecosystem[1][2].
Core differentiators
- Unique investment model: Multi‑stage VC tied directly to Samsung’s corporate strategy — combines equity investment with access to Samsung’s platform (devices, distribution, hardware OEM relationships) and an in‑house product & M&A capability[1][4].
- Network strength: Global engineering, product and commercial teams across Samsung plus local startup community networks in hubs like Tel Aviv, Silicon Valley and New York[1][4].
- Track record: Active investor across many early‑stage startups (Samsung NEXT’s public materials and reporting highlight dozens of investments and a $150M dedicated fund launched in 2017)[1][4].
- Operating support: Provides hands‑on product development, go‑to‑market partnerships and potential integration with Samsung products and services beyond pure capital[1][4].
Role in the broader tech landscape
- Trend alignment: Rides the shift toward software and services layered on top of consumer hardware (AI, services, health and connected devices), a strategic move by large device companies to monetise ecosystems rather than just hardware[1][4].
- Timing and market forces: As AI, connected health and embedded software grew in importance, Samsung NEXT’s model — combining venture capital with operating/product teams and corporate platform access — became more valuable to startups seeking scale and hardware integrations[1][4].
- Influence: By investing and partnering with startups, and by running product studios, Samsung NEXT helps accelerate commercialization of software that leverages Samsung’s devices and distribution, while strengthening local innovation clusters (e.g., Tel Aviv) through funding and partnership opportunities[1][4].
Quick take & future outlook
- Near term: Expect continued focus on AI, healthtech, consumer experiences and frontier tech where Samsung can provide device/platform advantages; Samsung NEXT historically expanded offices to be close to engineering and startup talent and uses dedicated funds to back early stage companies[1][4].
- Longer term: The unit’s influence depends on Samsung’s strategic priorities — if Samsung keeps prioritizing software/services, Samsung NEXT will remain a valuable bridge between corporate scale and startup innovation; conversely, shifts in corporate strategy or regional operations could change its footprint (reports in the market have indicated changes to Israel operations at times)[2].
- What to watch: New fund announcements, sector focus shifts (especially AI/health), and examples of deep product integrations or commercial partnerships that demonstrate Samsung NEXT turning investments into device/service scale[1][4].
If you’d like, I can:
- Compile a timeline of Samsung NEXT’s Tel Aviv activities and investments with specific portfolio company examples and dates.
- Produce a short due‑diligence style memo on Samsung NEXT’s investment terms and notable exits.
