Municipality Council Member

Nir Barkat was born in Israel in 1959 and was raised and educated in Jerusalem. Serving six years in the IDF as a paratrooper, he completed his military service in 1983 with the rank of Major.

Nir received a B.Sc. degree in computer science and has completed advanced courses towards an MBA at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

In 1988, together with three other partners, he founded the BRM Group, which was one of the first entities worldwide to develop anti-virus software. As the company’s CEO, he initiated numerous joint ventures with U.S. companies.  BRM later became a technological incubator, investing in companies such as BackWeb and Checkpoint Software.  Nir served as Chairman of Checkpoint for its first four years.

In early 2000, Nir was one of the founding partners of BRM Capital, a $150-million venture capital fund with a focus on software and communication infrastructures.  BRM Capital invests in Israeli companies and helps them become global leaders in their field.

Nir Barkat slowly entered public life and gradually became involved in promoting and introducing innovative educational and community-oriented projects:

Nir helped found “Snunit,” the largest Hebrew-language educational site, which encourages the use of computers in elementary schools in Jerusalem and throughout Israel.  Nir supports “Snunit” and serves on its Board of Directors.

He was the driving force behind the creation of “The Holistic Project” - with a view towards creating new local leadership and developing community organization in Jerusalem’s neighborhoods.

Nir was one of the founding members of the Israel Venture Network (IVN), established in 2001 by a group of American and Israeli hi-tech businessmen.  This group is committed to creating a pluralistic business environment in Israel based on mutual aid and cooperation, by encouraging original and innovative and venture-based strategies.

Nir’s involvement with these projects and his familiarity with the City’s needs led to his decision to devote himself to Jerusalem’s residents.  In January 2003, Nir resigned from all of his business responsibilities and, as Head of the “Jerusalem Will Succeed” faction, participated as a candidate in the Jerusalem mayoral elections.  Nir won an unprecedented 43% of the votes in that election and his party became the second largest party to be represented on Jerusalem’s City Council.

Nir Barkat is currently serving as a full-time Jerusalem City Council Member and Chairman of the Opposition.  He is a member of the City’s Education Committee and Finance Committee and is a member of the District Commission for Planning & Construction.  Nir is involved in several new initiatives and projects around the city, in spheres relating to the economy, education, students and youth, as well as municipal planning.

In order to advance the subjects on his agenda, Nir has founded a number of different non-profit organizations which contribute to Jerusalem’s success:

Nir is the founder and Vice-Chairman of "StartUp Jerusalem," a non-profit organization helping to foster investment and the creation of jobs in those fields where Jerusalem has a competitive advantage, with the aim of contributing to its revitalization.

He is also the founder and Chairman of "New Spirit," a student-based organization whose goal is to forge ties between students and the City of Jerusalem, based on the view that students and young people are a key resource for ensuring the City’s future growth.

In addition, Nir Barkat also serves on the Executive Board of the Jerusalem Development Authority and the Jerusalem Center for Business Enhancement (MATI).  Nir also serves on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency (JAFI).  Nir was also selected to serve on the Interior Ministry’s Committee to examine the basket of services provided by the local authorities.

Nir and his wife Beverly have three daughters.