| The Innovation Nation just keeps spitting them out like watermelon seeds. |
[IntelliNews] US-headquartered Visa has agreed to acquire Israeli digital fraud prevention company BioCatch for $2.4bn in cash, the companies announced in joint press statements.
The latest tech deal out of Tel Aviv is one of the largest deals in Israeli history and the second time the company has changed hands in just over a year, and has shown that large deals are still being conducted despite regional tensions.
BioCatch, led by CEO Gadi Mazor, a former OurCrowd partner, has developed behavioural biometrics technology that identifies users based on biological parameters including mouse movements and individual browsing patterns.
He said BioCatch would continue operating independently within Visa's value-added services division, retaining its management structure and existing banking relationships. "The company isn't going away," he said in the announcement.
“We will continue to serve the same financial institutions as we have always done: with market-leading technologies and service from a team of solution engineers, threat analysts, conflict managers and global consultants, all working in close collaboration with banking teams," Mazor added.
“BioCatch will help our clients stop fraud before it reaches the point of payment. This acquisition is part of our strategy to help clients prevent cyber threats upstream, building trust into every transaction,” said Andrew Torre, president of value-added services at Visa.
The company serves over 350 banks, including 100 of the world's largest, protecting 1.8bn devices and 760mn users globally. It reported 43% growth in annual recurring revenue in 2025 and crossed $100mn ARR at the end of 2023, while also reaching EBITDA profitability.
The acquisition marks a significant uplift from BioCatch's previous valuation. In March 2024, Permira acquired a 57% controlling stake at a $1.3bn valuation, with Bain Capital and Maverick Ventures selling $750mn in shares as part of that transaction.
The Visa deal values the company at $2.4bn, an increase of over $1bn in 15 months. The company has raised $115mn in total from investors including OurCrowd, Maverick Ventures, Bloomberg Capital and Elroy Capital, now controlled by BlackRock. It employs 400 people.
The deal extends Visa's push into fraud prevention infrastructure as financial crime losses continue to mount globally.
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