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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. 🎙 Founder Storiez. Conversations that reveal what really makes great founders.  📌 Subscribe for more founder and investor stories  📌 Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway  

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 outperform How self-awareness directly impacts company performance What great boards and investors actually look like Why success breeds danger if it leads to complacency The future of autonomous software engineering How to stay humble while building something massive This is not a tactics episode. It’s a founder mindset masterclass.

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📘 Jacques’ Book: The Market Entry Strategy A practical, step-by-step guide to choosing customers, differentiating your product, and building a go-to-market motion that actually works. If you’re a founder, operator, VC, or anyone who appreciates wisdom earned through decades of experience, this episode is for you.

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. 👉 Subscribe for more Founder StorieZ episodes featuring top founders and leaders.

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. 🎯 Topics we cover: Dean’s childhood struggles and drive for independence How personal pain became the fuel for purpose What it took to survive multiple failed product launches The breakthrough moment that changed everything Health, fatherhood, legacy—and why he tracks everything The truth about billion-dollar startups and staying grounded This episode is not just about building a massive company. It's about building a meaningful life. Call-to-Action: 👉 If Dean’s story inspired you, please like, subscribe, and share this with someone chasing their own mountain.  Connecting with: Dean | Ephraim    

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 experience The role of hunger, perseverance, and innovation Building and leading billion-dollar tech ventures Balancing personal values with professional success The power of philanthropy and legacy Timestamps: 00:00 Starting from Scratch: A Humble Beginning 00:28 The Power of Education and Perseverance 01:22 Building a Life in the US 02:35 Overcoming Hardships and Family Support 04:23 Lessons in Adversity and Entrepreneurship 07:11 Balancing Wealth and Humility 15:24 The Journey of Nutanix 17:54 Founding DevRev and Future Ambitions 19:09 The Importance of Hunger and Innovation 29:19 The Role of Investors and Early Customers 31:54 Authenticity and Integrity in Leadership 33:34 Embracing Systems and Design 35:01 Mentorship and Personal Growth 40:06 Balancing Dualities in Leadership 51:09 Philanthropy and Purpose 55:39 Reflections on Life and Legacy About Dheeraj: Dheeraj is the founder of Nutanix and DevRev. His story is a testament to perseverance, humility, and visionary leadership. He is passionate about innovation, education, and giving back through philanthropy. About the Host – Ephraim Yarmak: Ephraim runs TGVG Fund, a micro VC backing early-stage cyber founders. He’s all about real conversations with builders who lead with purpose. Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share with someone who needs a dose of inspiration.

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 drive13:46 Dealing with Failure: Staying motivated in a high-rejection industry16:59 Deal Hunt Stories: The lengths they've gone to win competitive deals21:11 Market Trends: Current investment climate and future predictions22:18 Israel's Startup Scene: Future exits and opportunities23:11 VC Challenges: The hardest aspects of the job24:53 Fund Creation: Insights on starting a new venture fund27:26 Work-Life Balance: Managing personal and professional boundaries31:10 Mentor Relationships: The importance of non-transactional connections39:34 Advice for Aspirants: How to break into venture capital43:36 Closing Thoughts: Final reflections on the VC journeyLinks:  • Morgan Gerlak • Jordan Segall • James Green  

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 building a game-changing company. Episode Highlights: Raising $55M and strategic funding decisionsDisrupting the GRC market with innovative solutionsTransitioning from technical expert to CEOBuilding trust and learning from competitionManaging stakeholder expectationsPersonal growth and maintaining resilienceBalancing professional challenges with personal interests   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.    

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 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 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 family commitmentsImplementing AI solutions that deliver genuine customer valueWhether you're building your own venture or simply fascinated by the inner workings of billion-dollar startups, this episode delivers rare, actionable insights from someone who's currently in the arena. Founder Stories 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. Listen now.

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 Building Entrepreneur Relationships  45:23 Networks and Innovation  46:42 Core Expertise Focus  47:49 Success Stories  55:18 Maintaining Humility  58:58 Philanthropy  01:03:14 Next Generation Values  01:06:33 Business Ethics  01:22:08 Mentorship and Hard Work  01:23:58 Final Thoughts Listen in as Bruce shares invaluable insights on building a successful venture capital firm while maintaining integrity, humility, and a commitment to making a positive impact in both business and life.   Connect with Bruce  LinkedIn Connect with Ephraim  LinkedIn      

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 offers valuable lessons about resilience, continuous learning, and the power of long-term thinking.   Key Topics: - Immigrant journey and early challenges in America - The genesis and growth of Security Scorecard - Leadership lessons and building company culture - Innovation strategies in cybersecurity - Balancing personal growth with business success - The future of cybersecurity industry - Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and immigrants   Timeline:  00:00 Introduction  00:51 Immigrant Origins  02:00 Early Struggles in America  03:54 Education & Career Beginnings  10:34 Security Scorecard's Genesis  14:20 Fundraising Journey  20:36 Leadership Evolution  35:35 Learning from Failure  37:26 The Power of Mentorship  38:02 Work-Life Integration  39:48 Partner Support in Entrepreneurship  42:08 Innovation Strategy  46:10 Building Accountability  56:30 Future of Cybersecurity  01:01:39 Advice for Entrepreneurs  01:05:21 Closing Thoughts   Connect with Aleksandr:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayampolskiy/    Connect with Ephraim:  https://x.com/ephraimyarmak  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ephraimyarmak/    📢 SPONSORSHIP Interested in sponsoring the show? Email Ephraim at [email protected] Thank you for considering!    

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 Matching in VC 01:00:46 Sefaria Vision  01:15:06 Clarity & Gratitude  01:22:34 Final Thoughts    Link to Sefaria  _______________________________________   Connect Mo:  Twitter  LinkedIn Shine Capital   Connect with Ephraim:  Twitter LinkedIn   📢 SPONSORSHIP Interested in sponsoring the show? Email Ephraim at [email protected] Thank you for considering!