Transolam LLC was founded by Behzad Kianmahd and Daniel Nazarian to facilitate their personal investments and, after years of inquiries from friends and family members interested in angel investing, to leverage their strong deal flow through syndications with select investors in their networks.  Transolam’s founders and co-investors share a passion to launch and build successful businesses in the U.S. and Israel.

Entrepreneurs-at-heart, Messrs. Kianmahd and Nazarian have many years of combined experience fostering the success of early stage companies as founders, board members, advisors, investors, mentors and fundraisers.  Their strong deal flow is enhanced by their active involvement in local, national and international startup ecosystems, including:

MIT-related Fund:

Originating deal flow from MIT and managed by MIT graduates, the Fund provides patient, experienced early-stage capital to support deep tech entrepreneurs globally and across all sectors.

TAU Ventures:

Co-founded by Mr. Kianmahd and Tel Aviv University (“TAU”; general partner), TAU Ventures is the first venture capital fund established by Tel Aviv University to invest in early stage, cutting-edge technologies. TAU Ventures enjoys substantial support across the University’s entire interdisciplinary structure.

Founding Partners

Behzad Kianmahd
Managing Member 

  • Entrepreneur, angel and seed investor since 1982

  • Diversified investment portfolio across wide-ranging sectors in Israel and the U.S.

  • Founding investor in the first fund to partner with Tel Aviv University to invest in startup companies emerging from the university

  • Founded and managed companies in the apparel industry with international reach

  • Co-founded and managed a water purification and bottling plant off the coast of Kona, Hawaii

  • Co-founded and current Chairman and CEO of Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC

  • Currently and previously served as an advisor to or board member of numerous privately-held companies in the U.S. and Israel

Daniel Nazarian, DMD
Managing Member 

  • Angel and seed investor since 2003

  • Diversified investment portfolio in sectors including high technology, healthcare, cyberspace and financial services, in Israel and the U.S.

  • Lead investor in the first fund to partner with Tel Aviv University to invest in startup companies emerging from the university

  • Co-founded or instrumental in founding companies including Essia Health (formerly Scribes-stat) and Maxim Commercial Capital

  • Currently and previously served as an advisor to or board member of numerous privately held companies in the U.S. and Israel

  • Current member and past Chair of The Health and Safety Commission for the City of Beverly Hills and Beverly Hills Strategic planning committee

  • Retired Periodontist: practiced for 23 years in Southern California