# Itai Damti

> Itai Damti is the New York-based co-founder and CEO of Unit, a financial infrastructure company founded in 2019 with Doron Somech. Previously a Leverate co-founder, engineering lead, product leader and Asia-Pacific CEO, he also invests in and mentors startups. His public writing focuses on practical execution, clear communication, customer needs and building sustainable companies.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at Unit
- **Organizations:** Unit, Leverate, 2n, 500 Startups, HAX, Ion Pacific
- **Education:** Mathematics studies; incomplete, The Open University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Leverate, a brokerage infrastructure company that grew organically to about 160 employees., Built Leverate’s product team and led its Asia-Pacific business., Co-founded Unit with longtime collaborator Doron Somech.

## Career timeline

- **2004-2008** — Served as a software engineer and architect in the Israel Defense Forces.
- **2008** — Co-founded Leverate; subsequently led engineering and built its product management team. Some retrospective interviews place the initial start in 2007; his public professional record and 2015 biography use 2008.
- **2014** — Moved to Hong Kong as Leverate’s CEO for Asia Pacific.
- **2017** — Mentored startups as an entrepreneur in residence at HAX and began advising Ion Pacific.
- **2017-2019** — Co-founded algorithmic trading venture 2n.
- **2018** — Worked with fintech portfolio companies as an entrepreneur in residence at 500 Startups.
- **2019** — Reunited with Doron Somech to co-found Unit.
- **2022** — Unit announced a $100 million Series C at a $1.2 billion company valuation.
- **2024** — Unit expanded its bank oversight focus and cut 15% of staff while targeting profitability without another raise.
- **2026** — Unit’s updated announcement reported $100 billion in annual transaction volume.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Leverate, a brokerage infrastructure company that grew organically to about 160 employees.
- Built Leverate’s product team and led its Asia-Pacific business.
- Co-founded Unit with longtime collaborator Doron Somech.
- Led Unit through its $100 million Series C in May 2022.
- Unit reported $100 billion in annual transaction volume in its August 2026 update.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Unit’s August 10 update reported $100 billion in annual transaction volume, twice its earlier $50 billion milestone within twelve months.
- **2026-05** — Joined Housecat’s Thomas George at a Better Tomorrow Ventures fireside conversation about AI and fintech, including agentic payments and AI-enabled fraud.
- **2025-10** — Discussed Unit’s ready-to-launch implementation path and evolving views on AI in an executive interview published October 7.

## Links

- Website: https://www.itai.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itaidamti
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/itaidamti

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/itai-damti
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14