Founder Storiez

• Jacques Benkoski (USVP): Money, Mentors & The Lost Art of Venture Capital

  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 StrategyA 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.

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• Dan Povitsky: The Vine Ventures Story: Faith, Focus, and Founders

  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 

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• Dor Fledel: Building Spera, Getting Acquired by Okta & Lessons from the Founder Journey

  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.

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• Dean Sysman: The Relentless Founder Behind a $2B Cyber Unicorn

  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 independenceHow personal pain became the fuel for purposeWhat it took to survive multiple failed product launchesThe breakthrough moment that changed everythingHealth, fatherhood, legacy—and why he tracks everythingThe truth about billion-dollar startups and staying groundedThis 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  

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• From $900 to Billion-Dollar Ventures: A Journey of Resilience and Innovation | Dheeraj Pandery Founder DevRev & Nutanix

  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.

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