Shipowner Idan Ofer's Israel Corp has pledged to start investing again.
In a statement, it set out a new strategy to pump between $350m and $500m into companies over the next four years.
It is targeting Israeli and global firms with a proven commercial capability, not start-ups.
“The investment strategy will be based on the guiding principle of managing a calculated portfolio in a format similar to that of a private equity,” the company said.
Funds will come from asset sales and cash.
The company owns the biggest stakes in two domestic operations: Israel Chemicals and Oil Refineries.
The first of these is seen as a core investment, but it has not classed Oil Refineries in the same category.
Israel Corp sold off a number of businesses four years ago, including container line Zim.
About 52% of the group is controlled by companies affiliated to Ofer, who owns Eastern Pacific Shipping and is a backer of Pacific Drilling.
