Lot’s of Israeli VCs talk up the importance of early stage investing but how many first investments do they actually make in seed stage startups and which VCs lead the walk rather than the talk? The IVC Research Center has released the results (membership required) of their 2009 VC survey and we’ve got some good and bad news to share. What do you want to hear first?

Ok, the bad; 2009 saw an overall 50% drop in dollars raised by Israeli hi-tech companies and a 35% drop in the number first investments by Israeli VCs. Israeli VCs made 77 first investments in 2009 compared to 119 in 2008.

Now the good; 38% (the majority) of those 77 first investments where made in seed stage startups compared to 28% in 2008. Internet, Software and Life Sciences sectors took in the most checks. Each took 22% of the overall annual first investment pie. Internet? Nice.

Most Active Israeli VC Funds in 2009
So which VCs made the most new investments? Surprisingly Terra Venture Partners, a tiny $25M cleantech fund, leads the pack with 6 first investments. Tied for 2nd with 5 first time investments are Carmel, Giza, JVP, Magma, Pitango, Sequoia and TriVentures. Gemini and Genesis made 4 first investments. Check out who they invested in and the stage and sector breakdown below.

Early-stage startups should keep these numbers in mind when pitching Israeli VCs. The most active of the bunch make 2 to 3 early-stage investments per year after seeing hundreds pitch. We hope to see these numbers increase in 2010 and that more Israeli Angels and micro-funds will step up to fill the seed gap but rather than just hoping investors take more risk, let’s get out there and build more sustainable Israeli businesses that merit the early financial support.

I’m excited and proud today to announce the launch of the TechAviv Angels. Born out of the TechAviv spirit of giving back to our community, the TechAviv Angels are a group of Israel’s most successful Internet, Web & Mobile startup founders that have come together to help identify, fund and mentor our next generation of big winners. We’re an informal Angel Club that gathers every two months in Tel Aviv to see pitches by Israel’s most promising Angel-stage startups. Our first “Demo Night” is November 24th. If you’re an Angel-stage Web, Internet or Mobile startup seeking funding apply here. The “Angels” tab will also be a permanent fixture at the top of this site. Applying and presenting is 100% free. Like Jason, we don’t believe startups should pay to pitch, ever.

Over the past two years of running TechAviv Founders Club events worldwide it had become painfully apparent that there are great inefficiencies in the pairing of quality founders with quality Angels in Israel. We hope to establish a platform that streamlines and ignites the funding of more early-stage Internet, Web and Mobile startups by investors that can play a pivotal role in their success. We believe these startups are the future of Israeli hi-tech.

Dream Team

Founding members of the TechAviv Angels include the founders of Israel’s biggest Internet, Web and Mobile exits over the last decade, including Yair Goldfinger (ICQ), Amir Ashkenazi (Shopping.com), Yaron Galai (Quigo), Ofer Adler (Incredimail), Jon Medved (Accent), Oren Dobronsky (Hotbar, SmartShopper), Eilon Tirosh (Exalink, Olista), Eden Shochat (Atternity), Itai Kohavi (Neat Group, Comfy), Ofer Vilensky (Jungo), Nimrod Lev (kSolo) and Avichay Nissenbaum (Yedda). See Full 30 Member List. Combined exits of the founding members exceed $3 Billion USD.

TechAviv Angels will invest individually at first but that may change down the road. Collectively we provide all presenting startups with critical feedback and connections. The platform is designed to facilitate more early investments in quality startups by “Mentor-Angels” that have extensive hands-on experience running similar businesses. We ultimately hope to foster lasting personal relationships that will lead to the building of great Israeli companies. As such, also participating in our Demo Nights are Israel’s top early-stage VCs that have a proven track record of backing successful Internet, Web or Mobile startups. Participating VCs include partners from Sequoia, Benchmark, Bessemer, Gemini, Genesis, Carmel, Canaan, Rhodium, YL Ventures and Kaedan.

VCs in An Angel Club!?

Many have asked why we’re including VCs in TechAviv Angels Demo Nights. The answer is we’re all about helping great founders succeed, period. In some cases an Angel-stage startup’s ideal investment partner may be a forward-thinking VC, Angel or both. Regardless, having a relationship with the leading people in our business is critical to a founder’s success. The TechAviv Angels have been lucky enough to reach a certain level of success building and investing in startups and now want to fuel Israel’s most talented young founders in pursuing their own dreams. When investors compete for your business, everyone wins.

New Economics. New Models.

The cost efficiencies of building Web businesses has rightfully shifted founder’s funding needs and focus from VCs to Angels worldwide. $50K from a strategic advisor is game changing for a Web startup today. Mini-funds like Y-Combinator have proven that.  TechAviv Angels Demo Nights are your chance to get in front of investors who’s guidance and contacts are more valuable than their money. We hope the success of this platform will lead to more Angel investing by successful entrepreneurs and the formation of more Angel Clubs in Israel.

Are you brilliant, grounded and contagiously passionate about your Internet, Web or Mobile business? Let’s get you funded.

UPDATE: Some great initial launch coverage here:

• StartupMania
• VC Cafe
• Ouriel’s Blog
• TheMarker (Hebrew)