Weighing the benefits of direct investments
Weighing the benefits of direct investments


Ben is the Founder and Managing Partner of Titan Capital Partners, an investment firm focused on growth investments primarily in software and internet businesses. Ben has spent the last decade in senior roles in private equity and investment banking and has personally led more than 30 transactions, some of which in Israel's most sought after software and internet companies.
Prior to the establishment of TCP, Ben was a Managing Partner at Catalyst Investments and Head of Technology, Media & Telecom investment banking at Cukierman & Co, Israel’s largest investment banking firm, as well as a director for I.E.I.
Previously, Ben Founded the non-profit organization “The Noah Initiative” focusing on regional economic development in Israel, and led to the establishment of a new urban quarter in the city of Ofakim named the "Noah Forrest Neighborhood".
Ben served as an officer in the Israeli intelligence directorate and the Israeli Department of Defense. Ben holds a B.A. in Economics and East Asia studies from the Berglas School of Economics in Tel Aviv University.
In 2016, Ben was chosen by Forbes Magazine to be one of Israel's most promising financial professionals as a member of the first Israeli “30 under 30” Forbes list.

Sharon Liang is a Principal and Head of Southeast Asia at Siguler Guff. In this role, she is responsible for the Firm’s investment business in Southeast Asia, covering the region’s FoF and direct investment initiatives with a focus on emerging GPs & start-ups. In addition to Southeast Asia initiatives, she is also in charge of direct investments in China. Ms. Liang currently serves as the Board Member of AgotoZ Inc. and iMaker Inc.
Ms. Liang joined Siguler Guff’s Shanghai office in 2018 and built the firm’s direct investment program from scratch. In 2022, she relocated to Singapore to expand into new territories.
Prior to joining Siguler Guff, Ms. Liang worked at China Renaissance Group in Hong Kong and Shanghai, at which she accumulated years of extensive experience in primary and secondary capital markets for “unicorn” companies risen from China’s booming internet economy. Previously, Ms. Liang worked in the investment banking divisions of Credit Suisse in Hong Kong and Taiwan, also Nomura Securities in Taiwan.
Ms. Liang holds a B.A. in Finance from National Taiwan University.






What is the appetite from LPs for directs? What are the different options for deal structures? Are LPs looking more at passive/minority or controlling interests?