The Human Founder - Global

Michael Eisenberg, General Partner at ״Aleph״

The Intersection of Business and Biblical Wisdom:  Insights of a Prominent Investor into Ethical and Moral Principles for Success

 

Michael Eisenberg, a prominent figure in the Israeli venture capital landscape, started his journey as an investor without even planning it. In our conversation he offers a candid and unique glimpse into the world of investments. As Co-founder and General Partner of Aleph, a leading early-stage venture capital firm, Michael shares with me his life experiences, philosophies, and insights about life and how these values  also reflect on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Relationships are the key

From his perspective, the investors are just the stagehands, the real heroes are the entrepreneurs. Michael believes that the key to being a good investor is to invest in long term relationships with entrepreneurs who have potential.  Michael  knows it takes time for companies to grow and for entrepreneurs to ripen.

He emphasizes the importance of understanding people, their motivations, and their potential. His ability to discern the "inner truth" of entrepreneurs is a core competency, allowing him to identify promising ventures.

What is the investor looking for?

In his opinion, the most important qualities in an entrepreneur are optimism and resilience. People who see problems and are optimistic enough to believe there is a solution and that they are the ones to solve it. .  This positive,  forward-thinking attitudeis essential for navigating the complexities of starting and running a business.

Additionally, resilience is crucial; it enables entrepreneurs to bounce back from setbacks and maintain their focus on long-term goals. They don’t back down from challenges, but face them head on. This proactive approach transforms difficulties into opportunities for growth and innovation, ultimately leading to greater success. By cultivating these traits, entrepreneurs can inspire confidence in others and drive their ventures toward realization.

Rooted in the community

Central to Eisenberg’s investment philosophy is a deep-rooted belief in the power of Jewish and Israeli culture. In our conversation it's interesting to see how he embodies the spirit of both Jewish tradition and Israeli innovation. This is also evident in his book “The Tree of Life and Prosperity”. The book explores the intersection of business and biblical wisdom, offering insights into ethical and moral principles for success.  

In our conversation we dive into Michael’s personal journey, including his family life and experiences, which are intertwined with his professional life. His reflections on his upbringing, the loss of loved ones on 7.10, and the balancing act between personal and professional commitments, offer a multifaceted portrait of Michael as both a person and an investor.

Michael's story is one of personal growth, resilience, and a deep-rooted connection to his community. This podcast is all about the significance of human relationships and the role of leadership in every aspect of our life.

Alon Leibovich, Managing Director Intel Ignite

How to strengthen resilience as a founder?

 

As I say every episode, entrepreneurship is often described as an emotional rollercoaster, oscillating between the highest highs and lowest lows. Alon Leibovich experienced this firsthand when his company BrandTotal was sued by Facebook, throwing him into a crucible of immense mental stress for nearly two years. Yet he also tasted the sweet victories, like running an Intel Ignite agro/climate tech bootcamp, which helped rebuild the Gaza Envelope community.

 

An entrepreneur, founder, and builder, Alon is also an organizational psychologist by training, though he never practiced clinically. This background shaped how he navigated the turmoil when he learned via social media that Facebook was suing his company. "It felt like someone had punched you in the stomach," he recounts. His first step was consulting his mentor and lawyer, feeling his world had collapsed.  

 

Following his mentor's advice to take action rather than dwell, Alon assembled a crisis team that worked until 2am in the morning - risk managers, PR personnel, lawyers. "Attention is just like any other muscle," Alon says. You need to train the ability to pay attention and direct your attention to the right place, to navigate between everything, because eventually doing and being in action greatly reduces anxiety. It's better than getting caught up in thoughts in the head, which eventually didn't leave him for almost two years.

 

A board member's call proved pivotal in shifting Alon's perspective: "I know it's hard for you to see this now, but it's a good thing that's happening." Realizing customers remained loyal, Alon decided to fight back. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) with biofeedback revealed his stress levels which mirrored "a soldier behind enemy lines under real life or death threatening situation" at risk of heart attack. He was coached to exercise, practice mindfulness, and breathwork to reduce his toxic stress levels.

 

The dissonance between his inner turmoil and outward composure to employees was grueling for Alon. Yet after two years, they prevailed in the lawsuit, and investors doubled-down on the company. Reflecting on being a founder-CEO, Alon asserts, "As an industry, we don't talk about the fact that it is very hard to be a founder-CEO." We devalue how hard it is these days to do something against all odds and give everything you have, and to believe that you are the one who can do it. But to do that, we have to build, for hours every day, our resilience. And it should be every day, not only when a crisis comes but before - for prevention, and after, and all the time.

 

Alon candidly shares grappling with imposter syndrome, doubting himself as both a person and manager, although at the end, a pivotal and very important realization was: "There is more to us than just our business."

 

His key lessons were understanding what you can control versus accepting what you cannot, having a "North Star" vision while remaining humble and coachable, and leaving ego aside to be agile. "Many first-time founders don't listen enough," he cautions. The dissonance between his first and second venture as an entrepreneur yielded profound growth.

Lisa Zaythik, Chief People Officer & Founding Partner at Appsflyer

Journey of Courage: Balancing Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Parenthood

In the dynamic intersection of technology and family, Lisa deftly navigates dual roles as Chief People Officer and Founding Partner at Appsflyer, blending strategic prowess with profound empathy. Beyond the boardroom, she cherishes the bonds of matrimony and parenthood, relishing the adventures shared with her partner and the joy of nurturing four remarkable children. As an immigrant, she embodies resilience and innovation, embracing challenges as catalysts for growth. At her core, she champions diversity, leads with kindness, and advocates tirelessly for women in tech.

 

"For me it was to look at the cards I have in my hand, how can I improve them and play them the best way"

At the tender age of 17, she embarked on a solo journey to Israel fueled by unwavering ambition and a steadfast resolve encapsulated in her mantra, "There's no Plan B to my Plan A." Courage and resilience became her guiding stars, propelling her forward even in the face of uncertainty. Her decision to relocate, despite familial complexities and cultural nuances, epitomized her willingness to seize opportunities and craft her destiny.  

 

Reflecting on the rapid pace of modern careers, she espouses a philosophy rooted in diligence and patience, rejecting the allure of overnight success in favor of sustained, deliberate progress. Her evolution from zero-player marketing to pioneering new roles underscores her affinity for venturing into uncharted territories, from establishing educational initiatives to revolutionizing customer onboarding.

 

Amidst the demands of leadership and parenthood, she and her partner-husband embody a testament to harmony and mutual support. Setting clear boundaries and prioritizing quality time with her children, she navigates the delicate balance between professional ambition and familial bliss with grace and pragmatism. As co-founders, they've mastered the art of conflict resolution, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration within their company.  

 

Guiding her employees with empathy and fostering a culture of psychological safety, she champions inclusivity and empowerment, recognizing that true leadership lies in nurturing confidence and resilience. Through Appsflyer's global expansion, she has cultivated a culture of community engagement, empowering each branch to enact positive change within their local ecosystems.

 

Her career journey is defined by audacity—the courage to defy conventions, challenge the status quo, and embrace the unknown. In the words of the PawPatrol slogan, a cartoon movie her kids are watching, she says "No pup is too small, no job is too big", encapsulating her unwavering belief in the power of perseverance and determination.

 

As our conversation draws to a close, we find solace in the conviction that success is not merely a destination but a journey fueled by unwavering belief and steadfast determination. Through incremental progress and unwavering focus on our goals, we navigate life's challenges with resilience and purpose, knowing that every step forward brings us closer to our aspirations. 

In the ethos of Appsflyer, we embrace the ethos of being "1% done" (which means both that there are 99% opportunities out there other than what you did, and also that If you improve 1% every day, you will be much better at the end of the road) recognizing that our potential is limitless and that each day offers new opportunities for growth and achievement. As we press onward, we do so with the unwavering belief that the journey itself is the ultimate reward.

Adi Baron, Co-founder & CTO of Wevo Energy and Teddy Flatau, Co-founder & CEO of Wevo Energy

The Wevo Odyssey - A Startup's Evolution Leading to SolarEdge's Acquisition

 

Teddy, is the Co-founder and CEO of Wevo Energy, a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in Electrical Engineering. His journey began with a childhood fascination for dismantling gadgets, a hobby that foreshadowed his future in technology. After earning his master's degree, Teddy ventured into the startup world, where he made significant contributions to companies like Cyota, Radvision, and Panoramic Power. These ventures not only showcased his leadership skills but also culminated in lucrative acquisitions totaling over $450M. Amidst his professional triumphs, Teddy finds solace in his family life, cherishing moments with his spouse, two grown-up kids, and a lively household of pets.

 

Adi, the Co-founder and CTO of Wevo Energy, shares Teddy's entrepreneurial spirit. With a background in Computer Science, she embarked on a journey that led her through various tech roles before crossing paths with Teddy at Panoramic Power. Adi's passion for problem-solving and her knack for innovation set the stage for her pivotal role at Wevo Energy. Beyond her professional pursuits, Adi finds fulfillment in her family life, juggling the demands of parenthood alongside her dedicated husband and a menagerie of pets.

 

Their entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the highs and lows that define startup life. From the exhilarating highs of breakthrough moments to the gut-wrenching lows of navigating crises, Teddy and Adi have weathered it all. Their resilience and unwavering determination have propelled them through countless challenges, shaping them into the dynamic leaders they are today.

 

Reflecting on their individual paths to entrepreneurship, Teddy and Adi reminisce about pivotal moments that shaped their careers. Teddy's early forays into startups exposed him to the realities of building and scaling a business, while Adi's while Adi's service in MAMRAM instilled in her a sense of discipline and problem-solving acumen. These diverse experiences laid the foundation for their partnership at Wevo Energy, where they seamlessly complement each other's strengths and expertise.

 

Their decision to co-found Wevo Energy wasn't taken lightly. It was the culmination of years of introspection, fueled by a shared vision for innovation and impact. Supported by their respective spouses, Teddy and Adi embarked on this journey with a sense of purpose and determination, knowing that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainties.

 

As they navigated the complexities of building a startup, Teddy and Adi leaned on each other for support and guidance. Their partnership, grounded in trust and mutual respect, became the bedrock of Wevo Energy's success. Together, they tackled obstacles head-on, celebrating victories and learning from setbacks along the way.

 

Fast forward two and a half years, Wevo Energy caught the attention of SolarEdge, after an investment, ultimately leading to an acquisition, which is a testament to their tenacity and vision. The synergy between Wevo Energy's expertise in renewable energy and SolarEdge's market reach promises to usher in a new era of innovation in the clean energy sector. With this milestone, Teddy, Adi & the remarkable Wevo Team, look forward to continuing their journey of dreaming big and pushing boundaries in pursuit of a more sustainable future.

 

Their collaboration with me as their executive coach, underscores the importance of an external perspective during challenging times, providing clarity and facilitating constructive dialogue.

 

Teddy shares insights from his experience living in Boston, highlighting the complexities of relocating while balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

 

In a rapidly evolving startup landscape, Teddy and Adi remain steadfast in their commitment to excellence. They believe that the key to success lies in embracing change, staying true to their values, and never losing sight of the impact they aspire to make. As they embark on the next chapter of their journey, Teddy,  Adi & the Wevo Team are poised to write the next chapter in the success story of Wevo Energy.

Fred Kofman, Founder of Hoffman Kofman Foundation

Fortune 500 Leadership Coach Wisdom: Navigating Challenges, Fostering Resilience, and Leading with Purpose

Fred Kofman, co-founder of the Hoffman Kofman Foundation, along with Reid Hoffman and Zur Genosar, has a rich business background. Formerly an MIT professor in Economics, Fred has held leadership roles in LinkedIn and Google, and he is an international consultant for leadership. Residing in Mexico with his family, he is deeply passionate about Israel.

We met during the Hoffman Kofman Foundation transformative leadership program, and I had the opportunity to learn from him, dive into deep and meaningful conversations with him and exchange insights about leadership, business & life itself.

 

Throughout his extensive career, Fred has collaborated with top industry leaders, offering them a broad perspective on life and work. From an educated and experienced standpoint, we delve into the three most significant lessons we believe are crucial for humanity, society, and top performers leading global innovation, technology, and the economy:

 

• Response-Ability in Startups:

Fred emphasizes the importance of a startup mentality—realizing that while one may not be responsible for everything, the ability to respond to any situation is vital. In essence, it's about taking ownership and being able to adapt to challenges, fostering a culture of response-ability.

 

• Adapting to Challenges:

Fred draws an analogy: "There's no such thing as bad weather, there's only bad gear." This underscores the idea that preparation is key; unforeseen challenges are inevitable, but how well-prepared you are determines your ability to navigate them effectively.

 

• Effectiveness and Resilience:

Fred stresses the significance of resilience in achieving success. He points out that being effective means being resilient, as setbacks are bound to occur. Learning to navigate challenges is more important than simply relishing success, as the former equips individuals with the tools needed for sustained success.

 

Moving on to the broader perspective of success, Fred highlights the need to align personal values with one's mission. Just as Viktor Frankl emphasized in "Man's Search for Meaning," following one's values provides a guiding force. When individuals align themselves with their values, these values become the driving force propelling them forward.

 

Few Thoughts on Leadership 

We delve into leadership and its essence. He asks a crucial question: Do you want to make your employees do something, or do you want to make them want to do something? The distinction lies in inspiring people to be motivated intrinsically, fostering a connection to the mission rather than merely following a leader.

 

Fred and I (Gali) agree on the importance of leaders being ego-free. It's about focusing on the mission rather than personal achievements. Leaders should inspire their teams to follow the mission, creating a self-sustaining drive even in the absence of explicit guidance.

 

Reflecting on his career journey, Fred introduces the concept of servant leadership—leading to serve the mission, with the mission taking precedence. He acknowledges moments when he sought coaching, emphasizing the value of both giving and receiving guidance.

 

Navigating Difficult Moments

Addressing the challenges of maintaining an optimistic outlook, Fred shares a personal low point on October 7th. Despite feeling that things couldn't get worse, they did on October 8th, when we all faced the trauma and the response of the world. Fred emphasizes the importance of honoring such feelings while recognizing their transient nature, and that’s also what brought him to Israel, to support its people and organizations.

“I have a dream for a long time which is to work with people that would combine the courage and the heart of a warrior, with the spirituality, compassion and love of a monk, and the intelligence and the application of wisdom like an engineer”.

 

The conversation concludes with Fred's vision for the Hoffman Kofman Foundation. He envisions working with individuals embodying the courage of a warrior, the spirituality of a monk, and the wisdom of an engineer. The Foundation aims to leave a lasting impact by combining these diverse qualities through its Leadership Programs.  I personally was fortunate to take part in this program & journey. For more information about the next programs visit here: https://www.hoffmankofman.com/

 

For a more in-depth exploration of Fred's journey and the Hoffman Kofman Foundation's founding story, listen to the full episode.

Maya Elhalal, BioHacking Expert

[As this is my birthday month, I wanted to give you a very special gift I gave myself this past year].

 

This year, I had the opportunity to dive deeper into Wellness & Biohacking and to learn how significant it is in building one’s physical & mental resilience. That’s how I met Maya Elhalal, a Biohacking Expert.

 

So, who already took the plunge into the IceBath? 🧊🛀 From hardly 2 minutes, I’m already doing 6 min in 4 celsius degrees. This is how I got stronger.

 

In order to be resilient founders, we need to take care of our bodies & minds, and to do so - we need to dive deeper. Literally.

 

Our bodies always try to communicate with us; we just don’t know how to listen.

Biohacking includes so many tools & hacks for checking & improving the body's functionalities, that impacts our wellbeing, resilience & performance.

 

As entrepreneurs - it’s crucial to learn how to use it with respect & care.

 

I invited the amazing Maya to my show, to share with you all the important hacks of Biohacking. Listen to our conversation and learn how to manage stress and avoid burnout >>

 

Special thanks to @zur genosar and the @Hoffman Kofman Foundation for opening my eyes to Biohacking and to Maya, who is an outstanding professional who also became a friend.

Oded Hermoni, Co-Founder, Managing Partner of J-Ventures

Journeys of Impact and Meaningful Connection: From Leaving with Loss to Building a 'Capitalist Kibbutz' in Silicon Valley

Oded Hermoni, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of J-Ventures Group, carries a profound connection to his Jewish identity, notably shaped by the circumstances of his father's death in the Yom Kippur war. Born just 10 days after this event, Oded was named after his late father, and this experience, along with the support of his mother and stepfather, significantly influenced his life.

His journey, spanning journalism, investments, and entrepreneurship, reflects a commitment to understanding the impact of his vision. Oded's move to Silicon Valley, marked as a major shift, emphasizes the transformative nature of his career choices.

When reflecting on the loss of his father, Oded identifies three significant impacts: his name, his deep commitment to Zionism, and the profound experience of fatherhood. The significance of his name, "Oded Hermoni," becomes particularly poignant when he searches it online and sees it on his father's grave during visits.

Throughout his varied career, including journalism, Oded underscores the importance of a mission-driven approach, aligning with his commitment to making a meaningful impact. He draws parallels between journalism and business, emphasizing the need to put ego aside, connect with people, and provide value.

His involvement in various impact and social activities, as well as founding  J-Ventures Group (J-Ventures+J-Impact), a Silicon Valley based Upside down VC fund with $70M AUM that he calls a "Capitalist Kibbutz"", to connect Israeli Startupsand Jews through investments. This further demonstrates his dedication to fostering connections within the Jewish community.

J-Ventures is a unique VC model empowered by 430 men & women. It's the only VC backed by over 150 other GPs from VC funds, by over 100 serial founders (and invested in 18 of them), and by 200 Executives. The model changes the paradigm of GP/LP and Also of VC/ Founders. 

Oded's perspective on building a company emphasizes creating a positive community and inclusive environment, where everyone feels part of something significant. The emphasis on choosing colleagues based on shared values reflects Oded's belief in mutual support during challenging moments. Therefore, ask yourself both as an investor & a founder: "Are you a person I would enjoy being in his company for 7 years?" and then make a choice.

Noam Toister, Co-Founder & CEO at Travelier

In 2020, his second company was already after an A round and had 60 employees - and then COVID hit. As a travel company, they suddenly had no market, and their sales crashed by 50% in just two weeks, and it only got worse as time passed.

Noam shared that after meeting with their investors, he understood that radical changes needed to be made in order for their company to survive.

And so, with a heavy heart, they had to let go of almost half of the company to insure the future salaries of the rest of the employees for the next two years.

“It was very tough, and thinking about it now in retrospect, it was one of the things I didn’t have much control over - I couldn’t prevent it, but I still felt so bad. Everyone was crying in the office because it felt like we’re just starting to scale up and build our DNA, and then things are down the drain.”

Alon Arvatz, CEO & Co-founder of PointFive

Every team of co-founders deals with conflicts. As three co-founders of IntSights, Alon shared that they had to overcome many obstacles. When I asked him what caused conflicts between them and what helped them solve them, he explained that he had to make a shift in his mindset.

“It was a tough process to go through; you believe in yourself, you believe that you know what needs to be done as the co-founder who's supposed to make the decisions, but you learn, like in marriage, that you can’t take all the decisions alone.”

 

Letting go of our egos is a big part of being a good co-founder. It’s a difficult shift in mindset to make between going all force toward a goal in one arena as an entrepreneur, and being considerate and compromising within your team to achieve this goal together in another. In some ways, it’s going against our nature.

It’s a tricky process that takes time - one that took Alon two years to make, but in the end, it's definitely worth it

Diving into everything in episode 103 of The Human Founder podcast, with Alon Arvatz, CEO & Co-founder of PointFive.

Hasan Abasi, Co-Founder and CEO of HAAT

“I felt like I had no control, not knowing what’s going on in my life, but I kept fighting, and no one felt anything - in fact, the company doubled itself.” 

He felt great responsibility to succeed for his family at home, and for his family of employees in HAAT - his community. 

Part of the capacity of responsibility that you choose to take on yourself when you become a founder is exactly this; accepting that even in the most stressful, difficult, and challenging moments, you will still be there, because you see it’s serving something bigger than yourself.

“Generally speaking, the journey is super difficult. We usually see the success, but we don’t see the suffering and patience behind it. Physically, I’m really tired, but mentally, I’m super excited. It’s the happiest and the hardest time in my life at the same time.”

Diving into everything in episode 102 of The Human Founder podcast, with Hasan Abasi, CEO at HAAT Delivery.