Founder Storiez

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 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 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 ThoughtsListen 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 LinkedInConnect 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 ey@bria.fund 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 LinkedInShine Capital Connect with Ephraim: TwitterLinkedIn 📢 SPONSORSHIP Interested in sponsoring the show? Email Ephraim at ey@bria.fund Thank you for considering! 

Join Yotam Segev, co-founder and CEO of Cyera, a pioneering cybersecurity firm valued at $3 billion, as he shares insights from his incredible entrepreneurial journey. He discusses scaling from 50 to 400 employees and navigating the complexities of company culture. Yotam delves into the importance of understanding customer pain points and shares his perspective on the evolving dynamics of leadership and teamwork. He also emphasizes the value of perseverance, personal growth, and having a strong work ethic for the next generation.

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 uncertainty[10:28] Investment philosophy: The Workbench approach[16:58] Partnership dynamics: Building a complementary team[19:02] Daily rituals and mindset management[20:38] Differentiation in a crowded VC landscape[22:50] The gratitude advantage in venture capital[23:04] Evolving with the market: Workbench 2.0[23:24] Spotting trends before they emerge[24:37] The art of relationship building in tech[26:53] Fundraising wisdom: Lessons from the trenches[34:42] Values-driven leadership: Family, authenticity, impact[39:46] Beyond returns: Creating lasting value[42:02] Words of wisdom for the next generation Connect with Jon LinkedInTwitter Work_benchBlogTwitter Connect with Ephraim LinkedIn  🙏 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 and subscribe. Your review will help others discover the show and continue to support our efforts. 👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to Ephraim Yarmak on LinkedIn with any feedback, ideas, or thoughts about the episodes. We'll personally thank you for your support! 📢 SPONSORSHIP Interested in sponsoring the show? Email Ephraim at ey@bria.fund Thank you for considering!

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 sometimes the best deals are the ones you walk away from, especially when prices get too hot.• Battery Ventures isn't just another Silicon Valley VC firm. Lior reveals how they're making waves globally, especially in Israel's booming tech scene. He shares their strategy for finding hidden gems in cybersecurity and software.• Here's where it gets real - Lior talks about keeping sane in the crazy VC world. From hitting the gym to traveling with family, he shows how taking breaks actually makes you better at your job. The big surprise? Fear isn't always your enemy - sometimes it's your best advisor. Words of Wisdom- Build real relationships with founders- Trust your gut on pricing- Make time for life outside work- Focus on long-term impact over quick wins- Keep learning and evolving The big takeaway? Think long-term, make a real difference, and don't forget to enjoy the ride along the way.Topics: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:57 Fatherhood and Personal Growth04:34 Early Life and Career Aspirations07:25 Financial Independence and Priorities11:26 Venture Capital Insights16:19 Mentorship and Industry Relationships21:24 Evolving Perspectives in Venture Capital23:32 Evaluating Founders: The People Aspect27:22 The Importance of Price Sensitivity29:48 Battery Ventures: A Global Approach34:48 Deep Diving into Sectors37:43 Balancing Work and Personal Life39:42 The Role of Fear in Decision Making41:12 Defining a Good Day42:39 Final Thoughts and Advice RESOURCES: Follow Lior on LinkedInFollow Ephraim on LinkedIn Follow Ephraim on Twitter 🙏 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 and subscribe. Your review will help others discover the show and continue to support our efforts. 👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to Ephraim Yarmak on LinkedIn with any feedback, ideas, or thoughts about the episodes. We'll personally thank you for your support! 📢 SPONSORSHIP Interested in sponsoring the show? Email Ephraim at ey@bria.fund Thank you for considering!

Alon Arvatz, a tech entrepreneur and author who sold his first company for $350 million, shares his inspiring journey and insights. He discusses the importance of making an impact beyond profits, emphasizing how family life influences his business mindset. Alon gives advice on hiring the right talent and building strong investor relationships while navigating his move to the U.S. He explores overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship and his future plans to leverage technology for positive change, blending personal anecdotes with valuable lessons.