{{short description|Israeli businessman}} {{Infobox person | name = O. D. Kobo | image = O.D.Kobo.jpg | birth_name = Oded David Kobo | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|8|30}} <ref name="profile"> {{cite web|url=https://www.odkobo.com/|title=O.D. Kobo &#124; Profile |accessdate=2023-07-28|website=odkobo.com}}</ref> | birth_place = [[Hong Kong]] | alma_mater = [[London School of Economics]] (did not graduate) | known_for = | citizenship = United Kingdom, Israel <ref name=profile/> | website = | spouse = Etos Ovadia | children = 3 | parents = {{ubl|[[Bebo Kobo|Eliezer "Bebo" Kobo]]|Ruth Kobo}} }}

'''Oded David''' '''Kobo''' ([[Hebrew]]: קובו עודד; born August 30, 1975), better known as '''O. D.''' '''Kobo,''' is a [[Hong Kong]]-born businessman in the technology sector.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/2016-06-10/ty-article/.premium/who-is-oded-kobo/0000017f-dc07-df9c-a17f-fe1fc2280000|title=Who is Oded Kobo? Natural-born businessman or celebrity sidekick|newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref>

As of 2023, [[The Sunday Times Rich List]] estimates Kobo's net worth to be £225 million.<ref> {{Cite news |last=Watts |first=Robert |date=2023-07-31 |title=The Sunday Times Rich List 2023 revealed |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/sunday-times-rich-list-2023-revealed-b3kxb5kx3 |access-date=2023-08-01 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Kobo was born in Hong Kong to a [[Jewish]] family, the son of Bebo and Ruth Kobo.<ref name="PIR">{{cite web|title=PIR Equities Team|url=https://www.pirequities.com/team|website=PIR Equities|access-date=26 March 2017|archive-date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327080958/https://www.pirequities.com/team|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Haaretz">{{cite news|last1=Sadeh|first1=Shuki|title=Who Is Oded Kobo? Natural-born Businessman or Celebrity Sidekick|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/2016-06-10/ty-article/.premium/who-is-oded-kobo/0000017f-dc07-df9c-a17f-fe1fc2280000|access-date=5 October 2016|work=Haaretz|date=10 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.me/bebokobo |title=Bebo Kobo - London, United Kingdom. |website=About.me |access-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> He attended the [[Hong Kong International School]] and then moved to [[United Kingdom]] where he attended Regents Business School London and later the [[London School of Economics]] for finance and business administration.<ref name="Haaretz"/><ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite web|title=Executive Profile: Oded David Kobo|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/Research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32855790&privcapId=321216571|website=Bloomberg|access-date=5 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006153042/http://www.bloomberg.com/Research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32855790&privcapId=321216571}}</ref>

==Career== <!-- {{In use|section|several days to address issues identified in an [[meta:OTRS|OTRS]] request|time=11:09, 28 March 2017 (UTC)}} --> Kobo's business interests have ranged from technology to property to private equity with nearly US$1 billion in exits.<ref name="genius">{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1000407189|title=איש העסקים עודד קובו גייס כמיליארד דולר להשקעות בתחום המדיה (Businessman Oded Kobo raised about US$1 billion for media investments)|last=גאוני|first=יעל|date=14 December 2008|work=Globes|publisher=Bloomberg|language=Hebrew|access-date=29 March 2017}}</ref>

Kobo started his career at the age of twenty-one by licensing patented technology to the online lottery industry with e-Lottery (once the domain holder of Lottery.com). He later established several China based investment firms namely KGIM and SinoSheen of which both were partnered with the prime minister of Qatar [[Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani]]. KGIM was acquired in 2010 for US$120 million by East River Capital (a subsidiary of the [[Qatar Investment Authority]]) and SinoSheen had invested in companies such as [[Tencent]], [[Netease]] and [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]] pre-IPO before it was too acquired in 2011 for US$52 million.<ref name="inc.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.inc.com/ilya-pozin/7-months-from-launch-music-messenger-closes-30-million-series-b-round-led-by-rom.html|title=7 Months From Launch, Music Messenger Closes $30 Million Funding Round|date=22 April 2017}}</ref>

In 2008, Kobo co-founded PIR Equities with childhood friend Joseph Aaron Horowitz, an employee owned [[private equity firm]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/press-releases-pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/650-million-private-equity-group-pir-equities-is-investing-50m-in-blockchain|title=$650 Million Private Equity Group 'PIR Equities' Is Investing $50M In Blockchain|newspaper=Financial Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/category/news/pir-equities-raises-275-million-euros-for-third-fund/|title=PIR Equities Raises 275 Million Euros for Third Fund|website=www.globalbankingandfinance.com|date=7 February 2019}}</ref> According to Globes, the firm raised US$980 million that year to pursue [[value investing|value based investments]] within the [[financial services]], technology and real estate industries.<ref name="genius" />

In 2014, Camden Market Holdings the proprietor of landmark properties such as the Camden Market, Stables Market and Camden Lock Developments in Camden, London was acquired for $680 million by billionaire businessman [[Teddy Sagi]] of [[Playtech]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rochvarger|first1=Michael|title=Israeli Tycoon buys Camden|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/2014-03-16/ty-article/.premium/israeli-buys-londons-camden-market/0000017f-ebfa-ddba-a37f-ebfe2d950000|publisher=Haaretz|date=March 16, 2014}}</ref> Kobo invested in Camden Market Holdings via PIR Equites and was a member of the board of directors alongside [[Bebo Kobo]], [[Richard Caring]] and Chelsfield Partners.<ref>{{cite news|title=Teddy Sagi buys London's Camden Stables Market at $664 Million|url=http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/03/16/teddy-sagi-buys-londons-camden-stables-market-in-deal-valued-at-us664-million/|publisher=Jewish Business News|date=March 16, 2014}}</ref>

Also in 2014, Kobo sold [[Pheed]] - a mobile pay-per-view technology to [[Carlos Slim]] and [[American Movil]] for US$40 million.<ref name="Pozin">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ilyapozin/2014/09/18/launch-to-exit-in-18-months-pheed-acquired-for-40m/|title=Launch To Exit In 18 Months: Pheed Acquired For $40M|last=Pozin|first=Ilya|date=28 September 2014|work=Forbes|access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref>

In 2015, Kobo established S Group, with business partners [[Roman Abramovich]] and Gee Roberson, the former chairman of Geffen Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-roman-abramovich-1001029660|title=Abramovich leads $30m round in OD Kobo's music start-up - Globes English|website=Globes|date=20 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="inc.com"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6538989/music-messenger-app-nicki-minaj-david-guetta-gee-roberson-roman-abramovich|title=Music Messenger, the App That Nicki Minaj and David Guetta Invested In, Is Exploding -- Here's Why|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> In 2016, it was reported first in the [[Huffington Post]] that two properties from their portfolio had been sold to a consortium of Chinese investors led by [[Ding Lei]] for US$32 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2016/09/27/roman-abramovich-oded-kobos-shellanoo-sell-anonymous-app-blindspot-and-mrc-app-to-chinese-for-32-million/|title=Roman Abramovich, Oded Kobo's Shellanoo sell anonymous app BLINDSPOT and MrC app to Chinese for $32 Million|date=27 September 2016|website=Jewish Business News}}</ref><ref>Kobo is one of the founders of [[Music Messenger]] an online music and audio distribution platform launched in 2014 partnered with [[Nicki Minaj]], [[Will.I.Am]], [[Avicii]], [[Sebastian Ingross]], [[Tiesto]], Dave Holmes, [[Benny Andersson]], and [[David Guetta]]. http://www.geektime.com/2015/04/20/israeli-startup-music-messenger-raises-30-million/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330084654/http://www.geektime.com/2015/04/20/israeli-startup-music-messenger-raises-30-million/ |date=2017-03-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-chinese-investors-to-buy-anonymous-messaging-app-blindspot-1001154601|title=Chinese investors to buy Israeli app BlindSpot - Globes English|website=Globes|date=26 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wealthx.com/intelligence-centre/daily-news/2016/chinese-investors-to-buy-israeli-app-blindspot/|title=Shellanoo Group Sells Israeli App BlindSpot To Chinese Investors|date=September 27, 2016}}</ref> Kobo had invested $40 million in various technology projects in 2017 and in January 2018 it was reported to have been acquired and relocated to Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shay|first1=Shalev|title=Oded Kobo and Roman Abramovich's Shellanoo cuts Israel ties|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-oded-kobo-roman-abramovich-shellanoo-cuts-israel-ties-1001217777|publisher=Globes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Abramovich and Kobo, Shellanoo|url=http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2018/01/03/what-happened-oded-kobo-roman-abramovichs-shellanoo-group/|publisher=Jewish Business News|date=January 3, 2018}}</ref>

Kobo had led several failed attempts to purchase MTV Networks from National Amusements in 2008, as well as an attempt to purchase Golan Telecom in Israel in 2016, which was highly criticized by the press and caused a public backlash resulting in Kobo withdrawing his IPO on the [[TASE]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?fbdid=1001127856|title=רומן אברמוביץ' ועודד קובו מתעניינים בגולן טלקום - גלובס|website=Globes|date=26 May 2016|last1=פרץ|first1=גד}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?fbdid=1000407189|title=איש העסקים עודד קובו גייס כמיליארד דולר להשקעות בתחום המדיה - גלובס|website=Globes|date=14 December 2008|last1=גאוני|first1=יעל}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-roman-abramovich-eyes-golan-telecom-acquisition-report-1001127974|title=Roman Abramovich offers to buy Golan Telecom - report - Globes English|website=Globes|date=29 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mehlpartners.com/od-kobos-high-profile-shellanoo-incubator-abruptly-cancels-tel-aviv-ipo/|title=OD Kobo's High-Profile @ShellanooGroup Incubator Abruptly Cancels Tel Aviv IPO &#124; Mehl Partners|date=September 8, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200312/https://mehlpartners.com/od-kobos-high-profile-shellanoo-incubator-abruptly-cancels-tel-aviv-ipo/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 2018, it was reported in the [[Financial Times]] that Kobo had led a $50 million investment in Bitcoin and Ethereum via PIR Equities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/press-releases-pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/650-million-private-equity-group-pir-equities-is-investing-50m-in-blockchain|title = $650 Million Private Equity Group 'PIR Equities' is Investing $50M in Blockchain|newspaper = Financial Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1078586/private-equity-co-commits-50m-to-blockchain-businesses|title = Private Equity Co. Commits $50M to Blockchain Businesses - Law360}}</ref> On February 5, 2019, PIR Equities completed a US$312 million capital raise for its third flagship fund.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.finsmes.com/2019/02/pir-equities-closes-third-fund-at-e275m.html|title=PIR Equities Closes Third Fund, at €275M|last=FinSMEs|date=9 February 2019|website=FinSMEs|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altassets.net/private-equity-news/by-pe-sector/buyout/pir-equities-races-to-e275m-fund-iii-hard-cap-close-on-strong-prior-performance.html|title=PIR Equities races to €275m Fund III hard cap close on strong prior performance - AltAssets Private Equity News|first=Mike|last=Didymus|date=8 February 2019|website=altassets.net|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> The firm's prior funds had net internal rates of return (IRR) — a key benchmark for investment returns — ranging from 24% to 33%.<ref name="auto"/>

In March 2019, Kobo introduced Israel Infrastructure Partners (IIP), a private equity firm focused on infrastructure investments, with the launch of a $350 million debut fund, IIP I.<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel Infrastructure Partners unveils $350m debut fundraise |url=https://www.altassets.net/private-equity-news/by-region/middle-east-and-israel-by-region/israel-middle-east-and-israel-by-region/israel-infrastructure-partners-unveils-350m-debut-fundraise.html |website=AltAssets |access-date=19 June 2019 |date=19 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/israel-infrastructure-partners-iip-350-123000997.html|title=Israel Infrastructure Partners (IIP): $350 Million Debut Fund|website=finance.yahoo.com|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marketscreener.com/news/Israel-Infrastructure-Partners-IIP-350-Million-Debut-Fund--28184681|title=Israel Infrastructure Partners (IIP): $350 Million Debut Fund|last=MarketScreener|website=www.marketscreener.com|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> In June 2019, the firm, after changing its name to Israel Investment Partners, announced that it had raised the limit of the debut fund to $500 million.<ref name="FinSMEs">{{cite web |title=Israel Investment Partners Launches $500M Debut Fund |url=http://www.finsmes.com/2019/06/israel-investment-partners-launches-500m-debut-fund.html |website=FinSMEs |access-date=19 June 2019 |date=5 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Orbach |first1=Meir |last2=Ravet |first2=Hagar |title=Israel Investment Partners Raises Debut Fund Cap to $500 Million |url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3763610,00.html |website=[[Calcalist]] |access-date=19 June 2019 |date=4 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=IIP closing $500m Israeli private equity fund |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-iip-closing-500m-israeli-private-equity-fund-1001288403 |website=Globes |access-date=23 June 2019 |date=4 June 2019}}</ref>

In November 2021, [[Entrepreneur Magazine]] listed Kobo at number 47 on their ‘Top 50 Richest People in Crypto’ with an estimated net worth of $200 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/the-50-richest-people-in-crypto/ar-AARgfBQ|title = The 50 Richest People in Crypto|website = [[MSN]]}}</ref><ref name="entrepreneur.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/50-richest-people-crypto-144907971.html|title = The 50 Richest People in Crypto}}</ref> Kobo continues to invest in digital assets, with investments in [[Ethereum]] and various altcoins.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/business/blockchain-investor-o-d-kobo-moves-61-million-worth-of-ethereum/article|title=Blockchain investor O.D. Kobo moves $61 million worth of Ethereum|date=6 December 2021}}</ref>

==Wealth== According to the [[Sunday Times Rich List]] in 2019, Kobo's net worth is estimated to be £75 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/sunday-times-rich-list-2019-profiles-201-249-lw0l7kqww|title=Rich List 2019|date=2019-05-12|website=The Sunday Times|access-date=2019-06-12}}</ref> In November 2021, [[Entrepreneur Magazine]] ranked Kobo amongst the world's top 50 richest in blockchain with an estimated net worth of $200 million.<ref name="entrepreneur.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/398707|title = The 50 Richest People in Crypto}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crackincrypto.com/2021/11/the-50-richest-people-in-crypto/|title=The 50 Richest People in Crypto|date=29 November 2021|access-date=30 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130052742/https://crackincrypto.com/2021/11/the-50-richest-people-in-crypto/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bstcrypt.com/the-50-richest-people-in-crypto/|title = The 50 Richest People in Crypto - BST Crypt|date = 30 November 2021}}</ref> As of 2023, [[The Sunday Times Rich List]] estimates Kobo's net worth to be £225 million.<ref> {{Cite news |last=Watts |first=Robert |date=2023-07-31 |title=The Sunday Times Rich List 2023 revealed |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/sunday-times-rich-list-2023-revealed-b3kxb5kx3 |access-date=2023-08-01 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>

==Personal life== In 2015, Kobo married long-time girlfriend fashion photographer Etos Ovadia; they have two children.<ref>{{cite news|title=אתי עובדיה ועודד קובו התחתנו|url=http://www.mako.co.il/entertainment-celebs/local-2015/Article-e3a22c19af0f051006.htm|access-date=26 March 2017|work=mako (in Hebrew)|date=10 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=אנחנו לא מעכלים: מירי בוהדנה הפכה לסבתא|url=http://www.mako.co.il/entertainment-celebs/local-2016/Article-2db50712fdb8551006.htm|access-date=26 March 2017|work=mako (in Hebrew)|date=26 June 2016}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kobo, OD}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1974 births]] [[Category:Hong Kong businesspeople]]