{{Short description|Israeli businessman}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = Teddy Sagi | image = | caption = | native_name = טדי שגיא | native_name_lang = he | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|11|14}} | birth_place = [[Tel Aviv]], Israel | death_date = | death_place = | education = | occupation = Businessman | known_for = Founder of [[Playtech]]<br />Founder of [[SafeCharge International]]<br />Founder of Pay.com | spouse = | partner = Yael Nizri (2010—present) | children = 7 }}
'''Teddy Sagi''' ({{langx|he|טדי שגיא}}; born November 14, 1971) is an Israeli [[billionaire]] businessman based in [[London]] and [[Dubai]]. Sagi is the founder of the gambling software company [[Playtech]] and owner of London's [[Camden Market]] and cybersecurity company [[Kape Technologies]]. His personal wealth is estimated at US$7.1 billion, with interests in real estate, gambling software, payments processing, and digital advertising.<ref name="Sagi">{{Cite web |title=Teddy Sagi |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/teddy-sagi/ |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/teddy-sagi/|title=Teddy Sagi|work=Forbes|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-sagi-sells-playtech-shares-for-139m-1001180959|title=Teddy Sagi sells Playtech shares for $139m - Globes English|website=Globes|date=15 March 2017|language=he|access-date=2017-09-03}}</ref>
==Personal life== Sagi was born in 1971 in [[Tel Aviv]], the only child of Ami Sagi, a businessman who owned a travel agency, and his wife Lizi, a cosmetician who sold make-up.<ref name="Globes, 17 May 2010">{{cite news |last1=Tsipori |first1=Tali |title=Israel's young billionaire |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-1000560444 |accessdate=11 February 2020 |work=Globes |date=17 May 2010}}</ref><ref name="Jewish Business News">{{cite news |title=The Story of Teddy Sagi |url=https://jewishbusinessnews.com/2016/10/20/the-story-of-teddy-sagi/ |accessdate=11 February 2020 |date=20 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="gamblingsites1"/> He grew up in Tel Aviv's [[Shikun Lamed]] neighborhood.<ref name="gamblingsites1">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamblingsites.org/biographies/teddy-sagi/|title=Teddy Sagi - Israeli Billionaire and Founder of Playtech|date=|website=Gamblingsites.org|accessdate=28 April 2016}}</ref>
In 1996, he was convicted in Israel for fraud and bribery, and was sentenced to nine months in prison, but was released after serving five months.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blitz |first=Roger |date=6 March 2014 |title=Playtech founder cashes in after creating multiple millionaires |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5028e2b0-a474-11e3-9cb0-00144feab7de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200611061545/https://www.ft.com/content/5028e2b0-a474-11e3-9cb0-00144feab7de |archive-date=11 June 2020 |access-date=21 November 2024 |website=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Laurance |first=Ben |date=7 June 2015 |title=The tycoon, the watchdog and the high risk broker |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-tycoon-the-watchdog-and-the-high-risk-broker-3gzv73xnvdd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240721161349/https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-tycoon-the-watchdog-and-the-high-risk-broker-3gzv73xnvdd |archive-date=21 July 2024 |access-date=21 November 2024 |website=[[The Sunday Times]]}}</ref>
In 2009 Sagi obtained Cypriot citizenship as part of a '[[Permanent residency|golden visa]]' scheme by Cyprus government. As Cyprus is part of the European Union, Sagi obtained a [[Passports of the European Union|Passport of the European Union]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|last=Farolfi |first=Sara|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/17/the-billionaires-investing-in-cyprus-in-exchange-for-eu-passports|title=The billionaires investing in September Cyprus in exchange for EU passports|website=TheGuardian.com|date=17 September 2017|accessdate=19 September 2017}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that Sagi had "been based in Cyprus for some years".<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news|last=Bowers|first=Simon|date=18 March 2013|title=The super-rich who have made Cyprus their home|language=en-GB|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/18/super-rich-made-cyprus-home|issn=0261-3077|accessdate=26 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="ibtimes">{{cite web|date=2 June 2015|title=Teddy Sagi: Israeli billionaire bachelor who has just saved spread-betters Plus500 for £500m|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/teddy-sagi-israeli-billionaire-bachelor-who-has-just-saved-spread-betters-plus500-500m-1503926|publisher=ibtimes.co.uk|accessdate=30 July 2017}}</ref> In March 2021, it was reported that Sagi was saved from an assassination attempt in Cyprus, after being warned by the local authorities. Following the incident he immediately left Cyprus.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ynet |date=2021-10-03 |title=Israeli billionaire escaped attempted assassination in Cyprus |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjiftkvnt |access-date=2025-11-16 |work=Ynetglobal |language=en}}</ref>
Sagi has a daughter with his former partner, Limor Bahat-Simanovich.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2017 |title=The Lounge: 3. Teddy Sagi |url=https://www.pressreader.com/israel/jerusalem-post/20170919/282054802207560 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Since 2010, Sagi has been living with Yael Nizri, the 2006 [[Miss Israel]], and they have six children together.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galanti |first=Michal |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Teddy Sagi celebrates his 50th birthday with Israeli white party |url=https://www.jpost.com/must/must-celebrate/billionaire-teddy-sagi-celebrates-his-50th-birthday-with-israeli-white-party-685346 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |language=en-US |issn=0792-822X}}</ref> Sagi owns the most expensive home in Israel, located in [[Herzliya]]. The home, which he bought in 2010, lies in the wealthy neighborhood of [[Herzliya Pituah]] on Galei Techelet Street, Israel's most expensive street. It is a 2,000 square meter house on a half-acre lot on the shore, and has a fitness room, wine cellar, sealed room, and an elevator to the beach. Sagi also owns two penthouses in Herzliya, and other homes in Tel Aviv (including an apartment in the [[Tzameret Towers]] purchased from former Israeli Prime Minister [[Ehud Barak]]), London's [[Knightsbridge]], Cyprus, and as of 2021 [[Dubai]].<ref>{{cite web|date=23 December 2010|title=Israel's most expensive home sold for NIS 135m - Globes English|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000610800|website=Globes|accessdate=6 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=20 April 2017|title=Teddy Sagi buys 2 Herzliya penthouses - Globes English|website=Globes|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teddy-sagi-buys-2-herzliya-penthouses-1001185553|accessdate=6 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=כלכליסט|first=שי סלינס|date=19 March 2012|title=טדי שגיא הוא רוכש הדירה של ברק באקירוב|url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4204708,00.html|publisher=|newspaper=Ynet|accessdate=6 December 2017}}</ref>
== Career ==
=== Playtech ===
Sagi founded [[Playtech]] in 1999. It was floated in 2006 on the [[London Stock Exchange]] at a price that valued the business at approximately £550 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garrahan |first=Matthew |date=2006-02-17 |title=Playtech plans to raise £175m in IPO |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c1b61452-9f28-11da-ba48-0000779e2340 |access-date=2017-08-22 |website=Financial Times}}</ref> He has since scaled down his holdings to 4.6%, as opposed to 81% at the time of its IPO.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/51118ffe-5b2f-11e7-b553-e2df1b0c3220|title=Playtech founder Teddy Sagi cuts stake to fund real-estate move|website=Financial Times|date=27 June 2017 |access-date=2017-08-22}}</ref> He has since invested in hi-tech companies and real estate.
=== SafeCharge === Sagi was majority shareholder (with 68% control) of the company, which is a credit card clearing company for the online gambling industry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teddy-sagis-safecharge-raises-126m-on-aim-1000928496|title=Teddy Sagi's SafeCharge raises $126m on AIM - Globes English|website=Globes|date=31 March 2014|language=he|access-date=2017-08-22}}</ref>
Primarily based in Bulgaria, SafeCharge was traded on London's [[Alternative Investment Market|AIM]], with a market cap of £385 million. The company was listed on the [[Alternative Investment Market]] (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.
In 2019, Nuvei Corporation announced its acquisition of SafeCharge, and agreed to pay $889 million in cash for it. In August 2019, Nuvei completed the acquisition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nuvei completes acquisition of SafeCharge for US $889 million, strengthening its global payment technology and reach - Nuvei |url=https://www.nuvei.com/posts/nuvei-completes-acquisition-of-safecharge-for-us-889-million-strengthening-its-global-payment-technology-and-reach |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=www.nuvei.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-01 |title=Nuvei Completes $899 Million Acquisition of SafeCharge {{!}} Finance Magnates |url=https://www.financemagnates.com/fintech/payments/nuvei-completes-899-million-acquisition-of-safecharge/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Financial and Business News {{!}} Finance Magnates |language=en}}</ref>
=== Stucco Media === In 2015 Sagi acquired the start-up company Stucco Media for $43 million. The acquisition was made by Market Tech, and the company is now owned by him. Stucco Media develops eCommerce website technology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-sagi-buys-israeli-e-commerce-co-stucco-media-1001034404|title=Sagi buys Israeli e-commerce co Stucco Media - Globes English|website=Globes|date=7 May 2015|language=he|access-date=2017-08-22}}</ref>
=== Glispa === Also in 2015, Sagi acquired the German start-up for €32 million. Glispa is an advertising company, mainly via mobile phones.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teddy-sagis-market-tech-acquires-glispa-1001021116|title=Teddy Sagi's Market Tech acquires glispa - Globes English|website=Globes|date=23 March 2015|language=he|access-date=2017-08-22}}</ref>
=== Mobfox === In November 2018, Sagi acquired the mobile advertising company Mobfox from [[Matomy Media]] for $7.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1542290306725098700/matomy-media-to-sell-advertising-platform-mobfox-for-usd75-million.aspx|title=Matomy Media To Sell Advertising Platform Mobfox For USD7.5 Million|date=15 November 2018|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116000917/http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1542290306725098700/matomy-media-to-sell-advertising-platform-mobfox-for-usd75-million.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Winvia === In November 2025, Sagi floated his Winvia Entertainment PLC, a lottery and gaming operator in the UK and Romania, on London's AIM. The company raised £40 million in a placing with institutional investors, on a £205 million valuation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-03 |title=Winvia Entertainment continues London IPO momentum after £40m fundraising |url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/1081640/winvia-entertainment-continues-london-ipo-momentum-after-40m-fundraising-1081640.html |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=Proactiveinvestors UK |language=en}}</ref>
=== Kape Technologies === {{Main|Kape Technologies}} Sagi acquired Crossrider in 2012 and renamed it to Kape Technologies in 2018.
=== Camden Market === Camden Market Holdings, the owner of [[Camden Market]], Stables Market and Camden Lock Developments was bought by Sagi in March 2014 for £490 million from Bebo Kobo (50% owner), [[Richard Caring]] (20.6% owner), [[Elliott Bernerd]] via Chelsfield (20.6% owner), and [[O.D. Kobo]] (8.8% owner) via PIR Equities, which later turned out to be the biggest LSE IPO of 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/03/16/teddy-sagi-buys-londons-camden-stables-market-in-deal-valued-at-us664-million/|title=Teddy Sagi Buys London's Camden Stables Market In Deal Valued At US$664 Million|last1=Minchom|first1=Clive|agency=JewishBusinessNews}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/restaurant-tycoon-richard-caring-earns-260m-war-chest-for-new-ventures-after-camden-market-deal-9189523.html|title=Restaurant tycoon Richard Caring earns £260m 'war chest' for new ventures after Camden Market deal | London Evening Standard|date=13 March 2014|publisher=Standard.co.uk|accessdate=19 April 2017}}</ref> Sagi has continued to buy property in the Camden Market area and as of March 2015, owns the four most important of the six sections of the market, London's second most popular tourist attraction after Buckingham Palace.<ref name="Globes">{{cite news|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teddy-sagi-buys-more-camden-market-properties-1001015303|title=Teddy Sagi buys more Camden Market properties|date=3 March 2015|work=Globes|accessdate=22 April 2015}}</ref>
In July 2017 Sagi has completed delisting Market Tech from the [[London Stock Exchange|LSE]], at a value of 1.1Bn ILS.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teddy-sagi-delisting-market-tech-from-london-stock-exchange-1001185677|title=Teddy Sagi delisting Market Tech from LSE - Globes English|website=Globes|date=23 April 2017|language=he|access-date=2017-08-22}}</ref>
Sagi intends to invest £300 million in developing the market area by 2018.<ref name="Globes" />
=== Other real estate ventures === In June 2017 Sagi acquired 44% of Brack Capital Properties N.V, which is a listed real estate company, owning and developing residential and commercial properties in Germany.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teddy-sagi-buys-control-of-brack-capital-1001189828|title=Teddy Sagi buys control of Brack Capital - Globes English|website=Globes|date=23 May 2017|language=he|access-date=2017-08-22}}</ref>
Sagi is also reported to enter the co-working share workspace sector with an international brand [[LABS (brand)|LABS]]. The first location is slated to open in London.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teddy-sagi-launches-shared-workspace-co-1001179539|title=Teddy Sagi to launch shared workspace co LABS - Globes English|website=Globes|date=3 May 2017|language=he|access-date=2017-08-22}}</ref>
In August 2015, The GoodVision Trust (beneficiary Teddy Sagi) sold a 24.79% stake of Austrian real-estate company {{not a typo|conwert}} Immobilien Invest SE to the German real-estate company [[Adler Real Estate]] AG. The market value of these shares was 250 million euros.<ref>[https://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2015-08/34719992-pta-pvr-conwert-immobilien-invest-se-aenderung-der-stimmrechtsanteile-015.htm PTA-PVR: conwert Immobilien Invest SE: Änderung der Stimmrechtsanteile] FinanzNachrichten.de, 20 August 2015</ref>
In March 2020, Labtech, the property investment firm owned by Teddy Sagi, completed the sale of Holborn Links Estate for 245 million euros to investors Tristan Capital Partners and Cording Real Estate Group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityam.com/teddy-sagis-labtech-sells-holborn-links-estate-for-245m/|title=Teddy Sagi's Labtech sells Holborn Links Estate for £245m|date=2020-03-02|website=CityAM|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-03}}</ref>
==Wealth== According to ''[[Forbes]]'', Sagi has a net worth of $7.1 billion, and is the fourth-richest person in Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Teddy Sagi|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/teddy-sagi/|access-date=2021-10-24|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=staff|first=T. O. I.|title=Israel says 'Iranian terror' targeted Israeli businesspeople in Cyprus|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/pms-office-says-iranian-terror-targeted-israeli-businesspeople-in-cyprus/|access-date=2021-10-24|website=[[The Times of Israel]]|language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>
He was [[List of people named in the Pandora Papers|one of 565 Israelis listed in the Pandora Papers]], published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, according to Shomrim, an Israeli investigative journalism nonprofit organization that took part in the investigation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pandora Papers: Teddy Sagi, Idan and Eyal Ofer named in latest documents |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/pandora-papers-teddy-sagi-idan-and-eyal-ofer-named-in-latest-documents/ |access-date=2021-10-24 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>
Globe Invest is Sagi's [[family office]], managing investments on behalf of Sagi and acting as a holding company for his investments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Globe Invest |url=https://globeinvest.com/globe-invest/about/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=Globe Invest |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2025, the [[Sunday Times Rich List]] estimated his net worth to be £5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sagi, Teddy}} [[Category:1971 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Israeli Jews]] [[Category:Businesspeople from Tel Aviv]] [[Category:Israeli expatriates in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Israeli company founders]] [[Category:Israeli billionaires]] [[Category:Israeli fraudsters]] [[Category:Israeli people convicted of bribery]] [[Category:Cypriot Jews]] [[Category:Naturalized citizens of Cyprus]] [[Category:People named in the Pandora Papers]] [[Category:Cypriot billionaires]] [[Category:Cypriot businesspeople]] [[Category:Financial technology company founders]] [[Category:People from Herzliya]]