Israel: A Lucrative Consumer Market
Israel stands out as a truly unique macroeconomic outlier among developed economies: a high-income nation with projected GDP per capita exceeding $64,000 in 2026, combined with a consistently rising birthrate—a demographic pattern virtually absent in other wealthy countries facing population decline and aging societies.
This rare blend fuels a rapidly expanding domestic market of approximately 10 million people, where household purchasing power continues to strengthen over the coming decade, driven by strong economic growth, high wages, and a young, dynamic population. Unlike most high-income markets that are stagnating or shrinking, Israel's consumer base is both affluent and growing, creating sustained demand for quality goods across categories from everyday essentials to premium and innovative products.
Despite Israelis' willingness to pay premium prices for superior quality, branding, or functionality—often reflected in high living costs and import reliance—the consumer goods sector remains heavily dominated by entrenched local incumbents and a limited set of established players. This creates a compelling yet overlooked opportunity for foreign companies, particularly those offering differentiated, high-value products or innovative services, to capture meaningful market share through superior offerings, targeted marketing, and efficient distribution.
With a reliable Western-style judicial system, progressive business environment, and robust economic momentum, Israel presents an especially attractive entry point for Asian conglomerates seeking diversified growth amid rising inflation, regional geopolitical uncertainties, and shrinking home markets due to persistently low birthrates elsewhere.
OUR TEAM
Behind Cervos Group
Tzvi Lev
Founder and Principal
Tzvi is a Founding Partner and Executive Director of Cervos Group, advising family offices, enterprises, and governments on technology transformation, market entry, and capital allocation strategies. His clients include top-tier enterprises, venture capital firms, and global cyber and digital transformation leaders, as well as prominent family offices in the GCC and beyond.
Tzvi Lev is a senior business leader with deep expertise in driving investment, technology partnerships, and strategic initiatives across the Middle East, GCC, and Europe. Fluent in Arabic, he has worked closely with governments and high-level institutions in the region, leading cross-border economic and commercial programs and advancing large-scale investment initiatives.
He previously managed the Cyber Sector for a major government in Europe creating consulting frameworks for national technology events and shaping strategic engagement between government, enterprises, and investors. While based full-time in the UAE, Tzvi built strategy, established hundreds of high-level business relationships, and facilitated significant capital deployment for technology ventures across multiple sectors.
Tzvi has also advised some of the largest family-owned business groups in the MENA region on their digital transformation and investment strategy, and accompanied major Western corporations as they entered the MENA market, helping them navigate local business environments and establish key partnerships.
Recognized for his ability to operate at both a high-profile and highly discreet level, Tzvi has successfully navigated sensitive geopolitical and business environments, creating enduring commercial relationships that continue to generate substantial deal flow.
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Udi Ben Zeev
Partner & Chief Strategy Officer
Udi is a Founding Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Cervos Group, advising family offices, global enterprises, and government-linked entities on cross-border investment, geopolitical risk management, and market entry strategies. His clients include major energy firms, technology leaders, and large-scale infrastructure groups across Central Asia, the MENA region, and beyond.
A senior business figure with deep expertise in forging high-impact partnerships, Udi specializes in driving strategic initiatives within emerging and non-traditional markets. With an academic background in Middle Eastern Studies and a career rooted in high-level strategic analysis, he possesses a unique ability to navigate complex business ecosystems and establish sustainable commercial footprints in challenging jurisdictions.
He previously served as a senior officer in the Israeli Intelligence community, where he led high-stakes strategic projects and operations. In this capacity, he shaped national-level intelligence frameworks and managed sensitive regional engagements, translating high-level security strategy into actionable operational success.
Udi has advised some of the most prominent energy and infrastructure groups on their expansion strategies into Central Asia and Africa, accompanying Western corporations through intricate regulatory and business landscapes. His work has facilitated significant deal flow in sectors ranging from renewable energy and logistics to mining and heavy industry, helping partners navigate local environments to establish key strategic assets.
Recognized for his ability to operate with the highest level of discretion in sensitive geopolitical environments, Udi leverages his command-level intelligence experience to build "High-Trust Ecosystems." His approach ensures enduring commercial ties and strategic stability for his clients, even in the most volatile market conditions.
Leel Sinai
Senior Advisor, North America
Leel Sinai is an attorney, business leader, and advocate in New York City. His legal practice focuses on transactional and regulatory issues in the financial services and FinTech sectors. Leel has represented clients across the globe, spanning markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Through years of work with diplomats, government ministries, and community leaders, Leel identified an acute need for services that facilitate dialogue and action between public and private sector clients pursuing their business and economic statecraft goals. This has been accentuated by the signing of the Abraham Accords, promotion of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, and other modes regional engagement, which have established new avenues for private and public sector opportunities.
Leel is an experienced attorney and management consultant. He holds a joint J.D.-M.B.A. from Hofstra University, an M.A. in Middle East Studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, and a B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York – Buffalo.
David Leff
Director of Capital Markets
David Leff serves as Director of Capital Markets at Cervos Group, where he oversees the firm’s capital strategy and financial structuring. Leveraging his deep relationships with hedge funds, private equity firms, and public market investors, David develops and executes innovative investment opportunities and financial products that bridge capital with strategic growth.
Prior to joining Cervos Group, David spent two decades at Republic National Bank/HSBC Treasury as a Portfolio Manager and Fixed Income Trader, where he pioneered multi-asset fixed income strategies and credit hedging approaches that helped the bank successfully mitigate losses during the 2007–2008 financial crisis.
Following his tenure in banking, David founded 84 Capital LLC, an advisory firm focused on defensive investment strategies, including structured credit and precious metals.
David holds a B.A. from Columbia College and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.
Alon Shahak
Senior Consultant
Cybersecurity & Defense Tech
Alon Shahak is a senior consultant specializing in cybersecurity and defense technologies, with extensive experience advising leading global organizations on strategic resilience and innovation.
As a Global Lead Cyber Scout at Deutsche Telekom and other world-class enterprises, Alon has played a central role in shaping corporate cyber strategies, identifying emerging technologies, and guiding executive teams through complex digital transformation challenges.
With a multidisciplinary background spanning cyber strategy, innovation management, and business development, Alon bridges the worlds of defense technology and enterprise cybersecurity. He is also an active investor and thought leader, frequently participating in international forums on technology strategy, cyber innovation, and risk governance.
Alon holds an Executive MBA (with honors) from the Quantic School of Business and Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. Certified in cybersecurity, penetration testing, and digital marketing, he brings a rare combination of technical fluency, business insight, and global perspective to every engagement.