Founder Storiez

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 Perseverance01:22 Building a Life in the US02:35 Overcoming Hardships and Family Support04:23 Lessons in Adversity and Entrepreneurship07:11 Balancing Wealth and Humility15:24 The Journey of Nutanix17:54 Founding DevRev and Future Ambitions19:09 The Importance of Hunger and Innovation29:19 The Role of Investors and Early Customers31:54 Authenticity and Integrity in Leadership33:34 Embracing Systems and Design35:01 Mentorship and Personal Growth40:06 Balancing Dualities in Leadership51:09 Philanthropy and Purpose55:39 Reflections on Life and LegacyAbout 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 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 [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 LinkedInShine Capital Connect with Ephraim: TwitterLinkedIn 📢 SPONSORSHIP Interested in sponsoring the show? Email Ephraim at [email protected] Thank you for considering! 

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  Follow Yotam Segev on LinkedIn Follow Ephraim Yarmak on LinkedIn📢 SPONSORSHIP Interested in sponsoring the show? Email Ephraim at [email protected] Thank you for considering!

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 [email protected] Thank you for considering!