Assaf Rappaport
Assaf Rappaport (Hebrew: אסף רפפורט; born 28 August 1983) is an Israeli entrepreneur and cybersecurity executive. He is best known as the co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of the cloud security company Wiz, and as a co-founder of the cybersecurity startup Adallom. Rappaport previously was head of Microsoft’s Israel Research & Development (R&D) Center. He gained wider prominence after the announcement in March 2025 that Google’s parent company, Alphabet, intended to acquire Wiz for approximately US$32 billion. If completed, the acquisition would be the largest of an Israeli tech company to date.[1][2] Early life and educationRappaport was born in Israel on 28 August 1983.[3] He demonstrated an aptitude for science and technology from a young age. He graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, physics, and mathematics.[4] He then completed a master’s degree (MSc) in computer science at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.[3] While pursuing his education, Rappaport was accepted into the Talpiot program, an elite Israel Defense Forces (IDF) program focused on advanced studies and leadership training.[3] Military serviceRappaport enlisted for mandatory service in 2001. He joined IDF's prestigious Talpiot program.[5] After finishing Talpiot, he served in Unit 81, a top-secret technological unit, and then served as a captain in Unit 8200, the IDF’s cyber and signal intelligence corps.[1] During this time, he met Roy Reznik, Ami Luttwak, and Yinon Costica, all of whom would become his future business partners.[6] CareerEarly rolesAfter his military service, Rappaport briefly worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company before deciding to start his own cybersecurity venture.[6] Adallom (2012–2015)In 2012, Rappaport co-founded Adallom, a cloud access security broker (CASB), with Ami Luttwak and Roy Reznik. The startup’s name was inspired by the Hebrew phrase “Ad Halom,” translating to “last line of defense.”[6] Adallom specialized in protecting data in software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. Within three years, it was acquired by Microsoft in July 2015 for approximately $320 million.[1][7] Microsoft (2015–2019)Following the acquisition, Rappaport and his co-founders moved to Microsoft. At the age of 34, he was appointed head of Microsoft’s Israel Research & Development Center, which employed around 1,500 people.[1] He also led the company’s Cloud Security Group, working to improve security offerings within Azure. During his four-and-a-half-year tenure, Microsoft’s Israel R&D Center received multiple distinctions as one of Israel’s top workplaces.[8] Wiz (2020–present)Founding and early growthIn January 2020, Rappaport left Microsoft to co-found Wiz with Ami Luttwak, Roy Reznik, and Yinon Costica.[2] Wiz provides a platform for real-time security risk assessment across multiple cloud environments, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, and Google Cloud.[6] The company aimed to create a highly scalable, unified security solution for organizations. Wiz emerged from stealth mode in December 2020 with a US$100 million Series A funding round.[9] By mid-2021, Wiz had achieved “unicorn” status after raising several hundred million dollars in additional funding, placing its valuation at around $6 billion.[9] In February 2023, Wiz secured another $300 million in funding, bringing its valuation to $10 billion,[9] followed by a US$1 billion Series E in May 2024 that increased its valuation to $12 billion.[9] Venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital, Index Ventures, Insight Partners, and prominent tech executives participated in these rounds, making Wiz one of the fastest-growing software-as-a-service companies on record. According to various sources, Wiz reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue within 18 months of operation.[6] Acquisition by GoogleBy 2023, Wiz served over 40% of Fortune 100 companies.[6] In mid-2024, reports suggested that Alphabet was interested in acquiring Wiz. Although Rappaport initially rejected an offer of about $23 billion to explore an initial public offering (IPO), negotiations resumed amid a weakening IPO market. On 18 March 2025, Alphabet announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire Wiz for $32 billion in cash, subject to regulatory approvals.[2] The deal, if finalized, would be the largest in Google’s history, as well as the largest acquisition of an Israeli technology company.[1][3] Wiz is expected to be integrated under Google Cloud while retaining its independence in serving multi-cloud customers.[2] With an estimated 10 percent stake in the company, Rappaport is expected to make over $3 billion before taxes once the acquisition is finalised.[10] Personal lifeRappaport came out as gay at a young age and has been in a long-term relationship with Ophir, a former educator who now works in the high-tech sector. He was the first CEO in Israel to introduce surrogacy grants for both same-sex and heterosexual couples.[1] Rappaport is described as someone who prioritizes simplicity and convenience over material wealth. He opts for public transportation rather than owning a car, largely due to parking difficulties in his area. Rappaport is also recognized for his unconventional leadership style. He engages with employees as equals, typically dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt.[1] He is known for his outspoken political stance, he has been actively involved in protests against the government's controversial judicial reform efforts. He even announced that in protest over the reforms, Wiz would transfer funds out of Israel, retaining only what was needed for salaries and essential operations.[1] References
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