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Israel
Associate

Roy Kimchi

I founded Israel’s first student-led VC at Ben-Gurion University. I started my career in the military, where I served for five and a half years as an officer in the Israeli special forces. Continued my career in tech as a data analyst at Netafim and Intel, and I still love tinkering with data today. I’m curious about various sectors in tech and particularly drawn to new ventures in gaming, climate, and generative AI.

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Get to know

Roy Kimchi

We're one global team but we've got our own stories. Here's what makes us tick.

Today, I’m excited by...

Being able to combine my passion for technology and people. I get to work with incredible colleagues who share the same passion, and I'm constantly inspired by their commitment and drive. What keeps me motivated when I get up to work is the continuous learning opportunity it offers. I enjoy seeing firsthand the incredible impact our portfolio companies' work has on others' lives.

What’s the most under-appreciated skill in founders?

The ability to listen. I believe great founders spend more time genuinely listening to their team, customers, and other stakeholders than talking to them. This way, they develop their insights and understand the best way to move their business forward. Being a great listener also shows a level of respect and humility that can inspire loyalty in employees and customers.

How did your last job equip you for this one?

In my last role, I founded the first student-led venture capital fund of Ben-Gurion University. My prior knowledge in the VC and startup ecosystem was limited. I was forced to learn quickly. It sometimes felt like ADHD on steroids, shifting between vertical and stages requires ramping up fast on new areas, which is much of a my daily work. Through that experience, I learned the importance of being humbled and maintaining empathy toward founders, as VC’s primary role is to ask the right questions and be comfortable with not knowing.

What tech do you avoid in your personal life?

None. If it has a Product Hunt page or a YouTube review by Unboxtherapy, I want it. That’s just the way it is, and I am proud of it ;)

What was your biggest failure?

While I was on reserve duty, there was a chain of command gap. I decided to step up and become a Major. It was a great opportunity to truly make a difference and shape my unit. I was eager to improve things and had a lot of enthusiasm, but I failed to appreciate the nuances and the sheer amount of work that is excelling in this position required. I overpromised, while my other commitments in life meant I didn’t have enough time to dedicate to my role and deliver on my promises. I decided to step down after three years. That failure taught me the importance of being aware of my capacity, aligning expectations, and communicating openly and directly for the benefit of me and those around me.

What advice do you live by?

I try to remind myself I can control the process, not the outcome, and use failure as a learning experience before rushing to the next challenge.

What’s your passion outside of work?

Coffee. Light to dark roasts, espresso to cold brew. I absolutely love the process of grinding, brewing, and manipulating variables to create something unique. I find it incredibly rewarding to create something from scratch, and the results can be really delicious. This is my morning mindfulness routine, and I can’t go without it.

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