Kobi Samboursky is a serial entrepreneur and investor with over 20 exits and 25 years of experience. He co-founded the successful cybersecurity investment firm Glilot. Together we delve into the profound moments that define his career trajectory. From the significant impact of 9/11 and the Bursting Bubble, to the thrilling highs of building Glilot Capital into the globally recognized top performing fund out of 15,000.

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Kobi was an entrepreneur from a young age, inspired by his quiet, diligent father who built a business from scratch. After studying business management during his military service, Kobi launched his first company, iWeb, in the online advertising world in 1998. The 1999 dot-com bubble burst and the 9/11 attacks brought years of hardship, but Kobi persevered and successfully sold the company against all odds.  

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He emphasizes how crises ultimately strengthen you - overcoming the toughest times equips you for the future. It took years to recover, but in retrospect he views the bubble crisis positively. Especially now, in times of immense hardship like the war affecting everyone, he stresses that optimism and the ability to keep taking action during a crisis are critical.

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With every obstacle encountered, Kobi gained crucial insights that shaped his approach as both an entrepreneur and investor. After the bubble burst, Kobi made a pivot that led him to cybersecurity and recognizing investment funds don't serve entrepreneurs or investors well. He partnered with Eric, and together they launched Glilot Capital in 2011. His transition from entrepreneur to investor was driven by a profound belief to do things differently, to nurture an environment where entrepreneurs and investors thrive together.  

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In 2015 Glilot Capital was recognized as the top performing global fund out of 15,000 funds.

Kobi attributes this to their core values of enthusiastic support for entrepreneurs through difficulties, not just after rapid growth. The recognition of Glilot Capital as the world’s best performing fund validated this ethos, and validated Kobi’s resolve to drive innovation and resilience.  

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Yet success brought its set of challenges. As the fund grew, maintaining a cohesive organizational culture became paramount. Strategic introspection became a cornerstone in their growth, navigating the delicate balance between expanding and preserving core values.  

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Kobi has taken it upon himself to champion the cultivation of entrepreneurs. Recognizing the inherent loneliness CEOs and founders experience, he stresses the significance of mentorship in shaping the industry’s future. Moreover, he acknowledges even successful exits can elicit feelings of isolation, as maintaining success requires sustained effort.  

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Finally, Kobi speaks about the human dimension of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of empathy, resilience and community. From the dizzying highs of triumph to the solitude of leadership, his journey epitomizes the enduring spirit of “The Human Founder”.