Founder Storiez

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, and anyone curious about how venture capital really works.

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 capital Lia also shares the personal story behind turning down a job, moving to Tel Aviv in 30 days, and building her career in early-stage investing. This episode blends tactical advice with personal conviction for founders who want to build the right way.

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 teams real leverage instead of more noise.You’ll also hear how radical transparency, relentless consistency, and a sales-first mindset became the backbone of Vega’s culture and growth.Whether you’re a founder, CISO, investor, or aspiring operator, this episode is a masterclass in mindset, endurance, and building with intention.Key themes:• Immigrant mindset & resilience• Marathon mentality for founders• From sales to startup founder• Why cybersecurity is broken• Building culture through transparency• How elite performer

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 Seychelles during COVID, and spending nine months speaking with 100 CISOs before building Apono.This is a masterclass in founder psychology, co-founder alignment, and what it really takes to scale a company without losing yourself.

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 building long-term success—inside and outside venture capital. 

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 a farm, to elite military service, to multiple acquisitions, to building Port into a near-unicorn redefining developer experience, Zohar explains how belief, relentless execution, and inner work shaped his leadership style.This episode dives into:Why founders in strong relationships often outperformHow self-awareness directly impacts company performanceWhat great boards and investors actually look likeWhy success breeds danger if it leads to complacencyThe future of autonomous software engineeringHow to stay humble while bu

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 youngThe emotional moment he finally felt financially secureWhy are many serial entrepreneurs driven by unresolved childhood scarcityWhy the venture industry has lost its disciplineWhat “original venture capital” actually looks likeWhy founders must choose their customersThe real role of a mentor (and the one line that changed his life)How he thinks about legacy, purpose, and what truly matters

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 immigrant mindset that fueled Vine’s creationWhat it takes to win deals against top-tier firmsHow personal growth makes better investorsWhy Vine leads every deal, and what that means for foundersThe role of spirituality, authenticity, and community in venture capitalLessons on leadership, humility, and staying steady through market cycles“At the end of the day,” Dan says, “it’s about being sure this is exactly what you want to be doing — for reasons that will motivate you for a long time to come.”Connect with Dan: LinkedIn 

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 right co-founder and handle disagreements.• The truth about founder loneliness and the importance of support systems.• Mistakes Israeli founders make when selling to U.S. customers.• When to follow your gut vs. customer feedback.If you’re a founder, operator, or future entrepreneur—this episode is packed with insights on resilience, decision-making, and building for the long term.

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.

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 about leadership lessons, embracing vulnerability, investing in people, and using philanthropy—especially in computational biology and education—to make a lasting impact.What You’ll Learn:Overcoming adversity and the immigrant experienceThe role of hunger, perseverance, and innovationBuilding and leading billion-dollar tech venturesBalancing personal values with professional successThe power of philanthropy and legacyTimestamps:00:00 Starting from Scratch: A Humble Beginning00:28 The Power of Education and Perseverance01

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 fascinated by the startup ecosystem. Episode Notes00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:35 Morgan's Career Challenges: Overcoming rowing setbacks that shaped his approach to failure01:52 Jordan's Career Pivot: Transitioning from engineering to business consulting02:52 James' Childhood Influences: Early lessons in communication and resilience05:01 Friendship in Competition: Balancing relationships while competing for the same deals08:23 Founder Evaluation: What makes a great founder? Grit, market fit, and relentless driv

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 business partnerships and learning from competition. Yair candidly shares his personal growth journey from technical expertise to executive leadership, the impact of remaining in Israel during challenging geopolitical situations, and how building a company during COVID-19 shaped his perspective.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or simply interested in the human stories behind successful startups, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, strategic thinking, and maintaining balance while

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 mindset that helped Tomer overcome chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and entrepreneurial challenges. This is a story of resilience, purpose, and the power of maintaining perspective when facing life's greatest tests. Founder Storiez brings you unfiltered conversations with the world's most compelling entrepreneurs. No fluff, no platitudes—just raw wisdom from those who are redefining what's possible.

"The biggest risk isn't failing—it's not pushing yourself far enough." — Gil, CEO of Orca SecurityIn 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 leadership challenges that taught him to embrace the impossible. You'll hear firsthand how these formative experiences translated into building a company that's reshaping an entire industry.Episode Highlights:The conversation takes unexpected turns as Gil discusses:The psychological impact of raising hundreds of millions in VC fundingHow he evaluates which boundaries to push (and which to respect)Practical strategies for making high-stakes decisions under pressureThe reality of balancing intense CEO responsibilities with famil

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 approachThe evolution of Blumberg Capital and key investment strategiesWisdom gained from mentors like Sir Jacob RothschildBuilding meaningful relationships with entrepreneursBalancing business success with family values and philanthropyEpisode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:04 Personal Reflections and Family Values 03:24 Dealing with Grief and Life Lessons 08:25 Family Legacy 13:02 Journey into Venture Capital 16:02 Building Blumberg Capital 24:45 Role of Luck and Key Investments 42:37 Understanding the Entrepreneurial Journey 44:04 Buil

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's fascinating evolution from a curious teenager intrigued by an early cybersecurity incident to a visionary leader in the industry.Discover how Aleksandr built Security Scorecard from the ground up, navigating the challenges of fundraising, team building, and scaling a technology company. He shares authentic insights about leadership, customer obsession, and maintaining innovation in a competitive market. Whether you're an entrepreneur, cybersecurity professional, or someone pursuing ambitious goals, Alexander's story

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 Shine Capital from the ground up • The concept of "lateralists" and interdisciplinary investing • Mo's work with Sefaria, revolutionizing access to Jewish texts • Finding clarity and gratitude in both business and life Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Immigrant Values & Success 08:39 Next Generation Values 10:05 Modeling & Patient Parenting 15:00 First Principles Thinking 20:53 Personal Fulfillment Journey 36:14 Shine Capital Story 43:29 Learning from Hardship 44:46 The Lateralist Approach 52:38 Pattern Matchi

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 Development 02:16 Leadership and Team Dynamics 09:53 Market Challenges and Pain Validation 15:07 Sales Strategy and Customer Engagement 26:16 Fundraising and Future Vision 28:50 AI and Data Security: The Future 30:52 The Wealth Perspective 40:49 Future Plans for Cyera 44:26 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Call to Action  Quote of the Episode "Success is not just about growing a company, but about understanding the human elements of leadership, innovation, and continuous learning."  Subscribe to Found the Stories Podcast  

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- Building a firm that reflects personal values while delivering returns- How NYC's diverse industry landscape creates unique opportunities for enterprise tech- The role of personal values in shaping institutional success- Why relationship-building trumps transactional networking- Balancing ambition with authenticity in venture capital [00:00] Meet Jon[01:11] The Workbench origin story: From concept to reality[04:09] NYC's secret weapon: Industry diversity driving innovation[07:24] Navigating career pivots and embracing uncertain