Google’s $50 Billion Wiz Deal Turns CEO Assaf Rappaport into a Billionaire

Google’s 50 Billion Wiz Deal Turns CEO Assaf Rappaport into a Billionaire

Google’s $50 Billion Wiz Deal Turns CEO Assaf Rappaport into a Billionaire

Big news in the tech world—Google has just finalized its biggest acquisition ever, agreeing to purchase cybersecurity startup Wiz for a staggering $50 billion. This deal doesn’t just mark a significant move for Google Cloud, but it also catapults Wiz’s CEO, Assaf Rappaport, into billionaire status.

Now, if this sounds familiar, it’s because Google had actually tried to buy Wiz last year for $23 billion. But back then, investors pushed back, fearing regulatory roadblocks under the U.S. government. However, times have changed, and with a friendlier business environment under President Trump, Google came back with an even bigger offer—one too good to refuse.

Wiz, founded in 2020 in Tel Aviv, has been a rising force in the cybersecurity world. The company was started by four former members of Unit 8200, Israel’s elite military intelligence unit known for producing some of the biggest names in tech security. These guys—Assaf Rappaport, Yinon Costica, Ami Luttwak, and Roy Reznik—had already built and sold a company to Microsoft before launching Wiz. Their deep expertise and strategic vision allowed them to create a cloud security platform that quickly gained traction, helping businesses detect and fix vulnerabilities in record time.

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With companies shifting massively to the cloud, especially post-pandemic, Wiz’s solutions became indispensable. Major investors, including Sequoia Capital, SoftBank Vision Fund, and even tech moguls like former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, saw its potential early on, fueling its meteoric rise.

So, what does this deal mean? Well, Wiz will now be integrated into Google Cloud, strengthening Google’s position in the competitive cloud security market. It’s also a massive payday for the founders, each of whom owns a 9.3% stake in the company—meaning they’re each walking away with nearly $3 billion. Not bad for a company that started just five years ago.

Interestingly, Assaf Rappaport, despite now being a billionaire, has been known for his modest lifestyle, even renting the same apartment in Tel Aviv for over a decade. But don’t be fooled by his casual T-shirt and sneakers look—those who know him describe him as a sharp and strategic dealmaker. As one investor put it, he can be “charming, personal, warm—and at the same time, ruthless when making decisions.”

This acquisition is not just a win for Google and Wiz—it’s a statement about the growing importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly cloud-driven world. While Microsoft currently dominates the cloud security space, this deal gives Google a serious advantage in the battle for enterprise clients.

It’s a historic moment in tech, and we’ll be watching closely as Wiz transitions under the Google umbrella. One thing’s for sure—this won’t be the last time we hear about Assaf Rappaport and his team. They’ve proven they can build billion-dollar companies, and chances are, they’re just getting started.

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