Gigi Levy-Weiss on How the Israeli Air Force is the Best Model for Running a Company, How Playtika Exploded Overnight by Accident, the Uncomfortable Truths About Working in Gambling, and the Coolest Companies in the NFX Portfolio

Aug 13, 2025

01:22:12

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On this episode of Invested, Michael sits down with Gigi Levy-Weiss, a former Israeli attack helicopter pilot turned entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of the seed fund NFX. Gigi reflects on his journey from combat missions to leading companies like 888 and Playtika, highlighting lessons in leadership, military-style debrief culture, and the value of “good failures.” He shares his founder-first philosophy as a VC, his cautious stance on replacing CEOs, and his thoughts on the ethical complexities of tech - from online gambling to AI. Amid Israel’s political and security upheavals, Gigi also discusses civic responsibility and the vital role of grassroots leadership.

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KEY TOPICS

00:00 – Intro

02:00 – Why My Name is Gigi: A Personal and National Story

03:10 – From Helicopter Pilot to CEO: Gigi’s Unconventional Career Path

05:05 – The Israeli Air Force Method of Failure

09:30 – Teaching Civilian Teams to Debrief Like Fighter Pilots

11:45 – How to Build a Culture That Embraces (Good) Failure

14:25 – Celebrating Failure at Playtika

16:50 – Experience vs. Fresh Eyes: Who Should Lead After Failure?

20:10 – Why Gigi Rarely Replaces Founders, Even When They Fail

23:59 – Gigi Selling His First Company and Learning What Not to Do