Raj grew up in a town in India with two traffic lights. He's now the CEO of Jetstream, a cybersecurity startup he founded after leaving CrowdStrike, which then turned around and invested in his company. In this conversation: his mother's anything less than #1 pressure, the failures behind the successes (a WhatsApp competitor he didn't build, Cylance's missteps), the July 19th CrowdStrike outage and what it taught him about leadership, why he believes older founders have the real edge, and the fi...
May 20, 2026•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 175
Niv is the co-founder and CEO of Noma Security. He raised a $100M Series B and scaled from 20 to 100 employees in a year, as a first-time founder, in cybersecurity, in the middle of a war that started the day Noma launched. In this conversation, Niv talks about what it actually takes to win: the four-day POC sprint with no product, the candidate they signed three days after he'd already signed with a competitor, the customers he turned away because the feature didn't justify a company, and the t...
May 17, 2026•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 174
Shachar Hirschberg, Co-founder & CEO of Artemis Security, on building a cybersecurity company with thirty employees, one manager, and no traditional titles, only "Builders." We get into the flat-org experiment, why he thinks AI-era product velocity makes traditional hierarchies obsolete, the hiring process that gets candidates an offer in 24 hours (sometimes 3), the decade-long career plan that led to founding Artemis, and what competitive tennis taught him about surviving the founder roller...
Apr 28, 2026•55 min•Ep. 173
In this episode, I sit down with Dean Shahar to discuss the reality of venture capital decision-making. Investors often have to make high-stakes decisions with incomplete information, especially when startups are reaching critical inflection points. Topics include: • The hardest part of venture capital • When startups transition from early customers to enterprise • How investors evaluate risk • Why hindsight makes investing look easier than it actually is A must-listen for founders, investors, a...
Mar 11, 2026•57 min•Ep. 172
Lia Cromwell, Partner at UpWest, joins us for a candid conversation about venture capital, founder psychology, and the signals most entrepreneurs misread during fundraising. We discuss: – What VCs really think after your pitch – How to know if a meeting actually went well – Israeli vs American business culture – Why conviction can’t be built in one meeting – Founder red flags investors notice immediately – The importance of equity splits and co-founder chemistry – Gut instinct vs data in venture...
Feb 23, 2026•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 171
In this powerful conversation, We sit down with Shay Sandler, co-founder of Vega , to unpack how grit, identity, and discipline shaped his journey from immigrant kid to elite operator to cybersecurity founder. Shay shares raw lessons from his upbringing, the mental battle of running marathons, and how those experiences shaped the way he builds companies and leads teams. They dive deep into what’s broken in modern security, why “more alerts” don’t equal safety, and how Vega is giving security tea...
Feb 11, 2026•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 170
Rom Carmel, CEO & Co-Founder of Apono, shares a deeply personal founder story from running his first business at age seven in Nigeria to leading a $54M, post-Series B cybersecurity company today. In this conversation, Rom reflects on how growing up in Lagos shaped his adaptability, how Israeli intelligence changed his leadership style, and how he evolved from perfectionist founder to empowering CEO. He also reveals the story behind meeting his co-founder Ofir, getting stuck together in Seych...
Feb 03, 2026•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 168
In this episode, we sit down with Ori Barzilay , Partner at Team8 , to explore what truly drives exceptional founders and investors. Ori shares his journey from elite military service and competitive sports to becoming one of the youngest partners at a tier-1 venture firm. We discuss winning mentality, humility, intuition in investing, founder-team dynamics, execution as a moat, and why Israel’s tech ecosystem continues to defy the odds. A thoughtful conversation on leadership, grit, and buildin...
Dec 28, 2025•58 min•Ep. 167
In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Zohar Einy , Founder & CEO of Port.io , shares the real story behind building one of the fastest-growing developer platforms in the world. Zohar opens up about raising a $100M Series C at an $800M valuation, one week before his wedding , how partnership (both personal and professional) became an amplifier rather than a distraction, and why self-awareness, paranoia, and humility are essential traits for elite founders. From growing up on ...
Dec 16, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 166
Jacques Benkoski , Managing Partner at USVP, joins the show for a candid, wise, and insightful conversation on venture capital, company building, and life. Jacques opens up about: Growing up without money and raising kids young The emotional moment he finally felt financially secure Why are many serial entrepreneurs driven by unresolved childhood scarcity Why the venture industry has lost its discipline What “original venture capital” actually looks like Why founders must choose their customers ...
Nov 24, 2025•51 min•Ep. 165
In this episode of Founder Stories , we sit down with Dan Povitsky , co-founder of Vine Ventures , to explore the deeply personal and professional story behind one of the fastest-growing venture firms in the world. From an immigrant upbringing and academic family roots to launching a $60M fund at the height of COVID, Dan shares the principles, lessons, and personal growth that shaped his journey, including how faith and authenticity became the foundation of Vine’s culture. Highlights: The immigr...
Oct 29, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 164
In this episode of Founder StorieZ , I sit down with my good friend Dor Fledel , co-founder and CEO of Spera , which was acquired by Okta . Dor opens up about his childhood lessons in competitiveness , how tennis and debating shaped his mindset as a founder, and the intrinsic motivation that drove him forward. We dive into: • How Israeli culture and 8200 shaped his journey.• • Building Spera from 0 → 1 → acquisition. • The decision-making framework behind selling to Okta. • How to choose the rig...
Aug 28, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 163
Dean Sysman, CEO and co-founder of Axonius, built a $2 billion cybersecurity company—but his real story starts long before that. In this raw, powerful conversation, Dean opens up about growing up with financial hardship, battling childhood obesity, and forging an unbreakable mindset. From extreme sports injuries and military service to failed POCs and an unwavering commitment to his wife, daughter, and co-founders—this is the story of a founder who lives by one mantra: Make Each Day Count . 🎯 T...
Jul 13, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 162
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dheeraj, who arrived in the U.S. with just $900 and went on to found tech giants Nutanix and DevRev. From growing up in one of India’s poorest states to building multi-billion dollar companies, Dheeraj shares deeply personal stories of sacrifice, resilience, and ambition. In this episode, discover how education became his gateway, how he balanced family and entrepreneurship, and why staying grounded and humble has been key to his success. Raj opens up a...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 161
Three top-tier rising VCs – Jordan Siegel (RedPoint), James Green (CRV), and Morgan Gerlak (TCV) – pull back the curtain on venture capital. In this candid conversation, these friends and competitors share their journey from career pivots and childhood lessons to competitive deal wins and investment philosophies. Discover how they evaluate founders, maintain relationships in a cutthroat industry, and navigate the evolving VC landscape. Perfect for aspiring investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone fa...
May 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 160
In this episode, we speak with Yair Kuznitsov, CEO and co-founder of Anecdotes. Yair recently led the company through a successful Series B funding round, securing a total of $55 million. Yair provides fascinating insights into the strategic decision to extend Series B rather than rushing to Series C and how Anecdotes is positioned to disrupt the GRC market with its unique approach to data and AI solutions. The conversation explores Yair leadership philosophy, including the value of trust in bus...
Apr 16, 2025•20 min•Ep. 159
In this powerful episode, Tomer Targin CEO of Yotpo, shares his extraordinary journey of surviving stage 4 lymphoma twice while building a successful company. Tomer reveals how cancer transformed his approach to leadership, family, and life itself. Through meditation, gratitude, and unwavering positivity, he turned devastating diagnoses into fuel for personal growth and business innovation. Learn how Yopto evolved through deep customer understanding and authentic brand-building, and discover the...
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 158
"The biggest risk isn't failing—it's not pushing yourself far enough." — Gil, CEO of Orca Security In this episode, we dive deep with Gil Geron, CEO & co-founder of Orca Security. With over $600M in funding and a unicorn valuation, Gil reveals the mindset that's disrupting the cloud security landscape. This isn't your typical success story. Gil opens up about the childhood experiences in Israel that forged his resilience—from parents who deliberately pushed him beyond comfort to early leader...
Mar 17, 2025•54 min•Ep. 157
In this powerful episode of Founder's Stories, Bruce, Managing Director of Blumberg Capital, takes us through his remarkable journey in venture capital and shares deeply personal insights about life, loss, and leadership. From humble beginnings to managing over a billion dollars in assets, Bruce's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, relationships, and unwavering values. What You'll Learn: How personal loss and grief shaped Bruce's leadership approach The evolution of Blumberg Capi...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 156
Meet Aleksandr Yampolskiy, the founder and CEO of Security Scorecard, whose journey embodies the American dream. Arriving from Moscow at 14 without speaking English, Aleksandr transformed early hardships into fuel for success, building a cybersecurity company now valued at $1 billion with over $100M in annual revenue. In this episode, Aleksandr opens up about his family's immigrant struggles, from gathering furniture off streets to relying on food stamps. Host Efraim guides us through Alexander'...
Jan 19, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 155
Conversation with Mo Koyfman, founder and General Partner of Shine Capital, as he shares his remarkable journey from immigrant roots to venture capital success. Mo reveals how his parents' teachings shaped his core values of freedom, family, and meritocracy, while exploring his innovative approach to venture investing through "lateral thinking." In this episode, we dive deep into: • The power of modeling behavior and patient parenting • First principles thinking in venture capital • Building Shi...
Dec 25, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 154
In this conversation, we sit down with Yotam Segev, co-founder and CEO of Cyera, for an intimate conversation about entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, and the remarkable journey of building a billion-dollar company. Key Highlights: • From 50 to 400 Employees: Cyera Explosive Growth • Raising Funds: $60 Million to $740 Million • Company Valuation: $3 Billion Success Story • Leadership Insights from a Visionary CEO Time: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:13 Company Growth and Personal Developm...
Dec 02, 2024•56 min•Ep. 153
In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Lehr, General Partner and Co-founder of Work-bench, a VC firm that placed an early, bold bet on New York's enterprise tech scene. Drawing from over a decade of venture capital experience, Jon offers a masterclass in VC, startups, and life. Episode Highlights: - How Workbench recognized NYC's unique position as an enterprise tech hub - The power of diverse industries in shaping innovation - Why gratitude and kindness are competitive advantages in VC - Build...
Nov 12, 2024•43 min•Ep. 152
In this episode, we speak with Lior, VC at Battery Ventures, • From his early days dreaming big to becoming a key player at Battery Ventures, Lior shares how he climbed the VC ladder. He dives into something we don't often hear about - how growing up shaped his money mindset and career choices. • Want to know how VCs really think? Lior breaks down his playbook for spotting winning startups. It's not just about flashy metrics - he's looking for founders who can go the distance. He explains why so...
Oct 28, 2024•46 min•Ep. 151
In this episode, we talk with Alon Arvatz, tech entrepreneur and author. Alon, founder of PointFive, a company that helps manage cloud costs, shares his experiences and ideas. What You'll Hear: 1. Alon's Journey: Learn how Alon sold his first company, Insight, for $350 million and why he started PointFive. 2. Making an Impact: Why it's important to do more than just make money in business. 3. Family Life: How Alon balances work with family and teaches his kids about money and helping others. 4. ...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 150
In this episode we sit down with Ron Rofe General Partner of Rainfall Ventures, to explore his inspiring journey from a charitable childhood to remarkable success in venture capitalism. At the heart of Ron's story is a deep emphasis on personal values such as humility, passion, and a commitment to making a positive impact. He openly shares how these principles have guided his unconventional career path, from overcoming imposter syndrome to discovering his true calling in investing. Delving into ...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 149
Conversation with Edward Kolodenko, the founder of Questrade, we explore his remarkable journey from a young immigrant in Canada to leading one of the country's most significant financial institutions. Edward shares insights into his personal growth, the impact of his religious faith, and practical wisdom on achieving success without compromising core values. This episode delves into Edward's life philosophy, the challenges faced in building and scaling Questrade, and the importance of hard work...
Aug 29, 2024•53 min•Ep. 148
I'm excited to welcome Aaron Rosenson, co-founder of Aption. With an impressive career at top venture capital firms like Insight Partners and Alef Partners, Aaron has a wealth of experience to share. We'll explore his transition from VC to startup operator, his personal challenges, and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. Don't miss this insightful discussion! Key Takeaways: 1. Balance: Balancing professional ambitions with personal growth is crucial for long-term success and happi...
Jul 31, 2024•45 min•Ep. 147
In this episode, we welcome Eran Bielski, GP at Entree Capital, to discuss his personal journey and experiences. Eran shares his reflections on serving as a reserve soldier in the IDF during conflict, emphasizing how this experience recalibrated his mind and heightened his tolerance for risk. He delves into what makes exceptional startup founders, highlighting qualities such as relentless drive, mission-driven focus, and the ability to overcome personal hardships. Eran discusses his recent six-m...
Jul 15, 2024•44 min•Ep. 146
Conversation with Roy Rubin, VC @ R-Squared Ventures. Founder @ Magento acquired by Ebay. 🔗 CONNECT WITH Roy Rubin 👥 LinkedIn 🐦 Twitter 💻 Website 🔗 CONNECT WITH EPHRAIM 👥 LinkedIn 🐦 Twitter 💻 Website Investments 🙏 LEAVE A REVIEW Thank you for listening to the podcast! Your support means the world to us. If you enjoyed the show, please take a moment to leave a 5-star review. Your review will help others discover the show and continue to support our efforts. 👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH We'd love to...
Jul 01, 2024•38 min•Ep. 145
