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The former Israeli spy chief has been appointed to lead SoftBank's new office in , a company known for being the world’s largest venture capital firm with close ties with .

SoftBank, a prominent technology fund that has invested in Uber, Alibaba and TikTok has appointed ex-Mossad chief to set up its new office in Israel, Israeli business newspaper ³Ò±ô´Ç²ú±ð²õÌýreported.

Cohen will manage SoftBank's activitiesÌýin Israel, hunt companies for investmentÌýand help them tap into global markets, with particular emphasise onÌýAsia.Ìý

He will also work with SoftBank's Europe and Middle East team, managed from London by SoftBank Vision Fund managing partner Yanni Pipilis, the report said.Ìý

Cohen is also set toÌýbecomeÌýa member of SoftBank's second fund, which amountsÌýto $30 billion, but will not make investments from the firm's first fund, of whichÌýSaudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund is an investor.

Despite not having a background in investment, the giant recruited him because of his perceived popularity and influence in Israel.

"SoftBank has pioneered a new approach to technology investing and created the world’s largest ecosystem of emerging technology champions," said Cohen.Ìý

"Israel’s advanced technology and entrepreneurial culture make it a natural fit for SoftBank’s investment vision and I look forward to helping fast-moving companies scale in the region and globally," he added.

According to Globes, SoftBank will write a check of a minimum of $50 million for growth companies with valuations of at least $250 million that have proven artificial intelligence technology at a high level.

"When we met Mr Cohen, we immediately got excited about the opportunity to work together. He is very well connected in the Israeli industry at large, he is someone that entrepreneurs and founders can recognise and can be a central focal point for us,"ÌýSoftBank's Vision Fund managing partner Yanni Pipilis told Globes.

Cohen was appointed as the director of Mossad in 2015 after serving as former Prime Minister BenjaminÌýNetanyahu's national security advisor and previously as Mossad deputy-chief.

He played a prominent role in recent deals to normalise ties with Arab countries, travellingÌýto the United Arab Emirates and BahrainÌýas the US brokered deals between them and Israel.

He also reportedly joined Netanyahu on a 2020 visit to Saudi ArabiaÌýfor talks with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Saudi Arabia denies the meeting occurred.

Cohen was linked to Israel's killing last year of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, although Israel has not commented on the incident.

He was Ìýas Mossad chief byÌýDavid Barnea in May.