Episode 18 - Gili Elkin - Managing Partner @ICI Fund

Episode 18 - Gili Elkin - Managing Partner @ICI Fund

What does it actually take to raise a VC fund from scratch with no network, no track record and everyone telling you it won’t work? In this episode of the Autonomous Podcast, I sat down with Gili Elkin, Managing Partner of ICI Fund, to discuss the mindset behind building both companies and venture funds in deep tech. From growing up between Israel and the U.S., to raising her first fund in Colorado through pure resilience, community building and hundreds of conversations. Gili shares what investors actually look for in founders, why “first check” investing is all about people, and why entrepreneurs should stop waiting for the “perfect moment” before reaching out. We also go deep into: * The cultural gap between Israeli founders and American investors * Why storytelling matters as much as technology * How ICI evaluates deeptech companies before investing * AI infrastructure, space, data centers and the future of hard-tech investing * Why the strongest founders are usually the ones who simply never stop One line from the episode that stayed with me: “It’s never too early to come to us.” For founders, investors and operators building in autonomy, robotics, defense, AI infrastructure and deep technologies, this one is worth the listen.

Episode 17 - Moshe Baum - Co-founder @Wild West Systems

In this episode, I sit down with Moshe Baum, Mechanical engineer, drone pilot, and co-founder of Wild West Systems. Moshe’s path moves through very different environments: from working on the NAMER platform during his service in the IDF, to engineering roles in companies like Apple and SpaceX, and now building his own systems in Texas. What made this conversation interesting is not just the experience, but the overlap between worlds that usually don’t speak the same language. We talk about the connection between IDF methodologies, where systems are built for real use under pressure and the principles behind companies like Apple and SpaceX, where design, iteration, and execution are pushed to a different level. Topics we covered: * The difference between building systems that have to work in the field vs. systems built in controlled environments * What Moshe took from Apple’s precision and SpaceX’s speed, and how those approaches translate into robotics today * The gap between how autonomy is presented and what is actually possible in real-world scenarios * Swarm systems, what is working today, and where the limitations still are * Why proximity to real environments matters when developing hardware and autonomous systems * The role of human control vs. autonomy in mission-critical operations * Lessons from moving between Israel and the U.S. when it comes to building and deploying systems This is a conversation about how different disciplines — military, engineering, and product thinking — come together when you’re building systems that are meant to operate in the real world.

Episode 16 - Rubi Liani - Co-founder & CTO @XTEND

In Episode 16, we sit down with Rubi Liani, co-founder of XTEND, and go deeper into the path that led him there. It starts far from what you might expect - flying RC planes as a kid, building intuition through curiosity, not a defined plan. From there, moving into the Navy and stepping into an environment shaped by responsibility, structure, and real decision-making under pressure. What followed wasn’t a straight line. Together with Aviv Shapira, through the Israel Drone Racing League (FRIL), Rubi entered the world of gaming, building a company in a space where others, with more experience and resources, had already tried to solve similar problems. Over time, that journey evolved into what we know today as XTEND. In this conversation, we talk about: * how early decisions shape long-term direction * choosing the right people and building trust * operating with limited resources while still moving forward * and how seemingly unrelated experiences connect over time We also dive into how that background led to rethinking how drone pilots are trained and not just building systems, but building capability. This is not a story about a “perfect path.” It’s about how different chapters come together, and only make sense in hindsight. If you’re building, investing, or operating in defense tech, there’s a lot to take from this one.

Episode 15 - Ariel Avitan - Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer @ Percepto

In this episode, I sit down with Ariel Avitan, co-founder of Percepto; one of the companies quietly leading the adoption of autonomous drone systems across infrastructure in the United States. Percepto didn’t just build a drone. They built the full system - The box, the drone, the firmware, and the application, all designed to operate in real environments, weather, congested airspace and beyond line of sight. We talk about what it takes to move from technology to deployment, and why some of the most important work in autonomy today is happening far from the spotlight - in energy sites, utilities, and industrial facilities. Ariel shares his perspective on: * Building a full-stack autonomous system, end-to-end * Working closely with regulators and being part of the FAA unmanned vehicles ecosystem * Why infrastructure became the right entry point for autonomy * The gap between building a product and operating it in the field * What changes when founders relocate and stay close to their customers This is a conversation about execution, proximity, and building systems that are meant to run without you there.

Episode 14: Conversation with Yahel Efroni - Business Development & Partnerships @Givon Defense

In this episode, I sit down with Yahel Efroni to talk about what it means to build technology in a reality where roles constantly shift and how does the ecosystem have evolved with new faces that 2 years ago were not looking towards Defense innovation but have realized thier dedication today is for the future of their children. We discuss how that dual experience shapes the way early-stage companies are built in Israel today, and how it influences the type of solutions being developed across defense, medical care, physical AI, and logistics. We also go into how Givon Ventures approaches early-stage teams, not just from an investment perspective, but from close involvement in the field, understanding what actually works under real conditions. In this episode we cover: - The dual reality of building companies while serving in parallel roles - How real-world constraints shape early-stage product decisions - Why getting to the field early matters more than perfecting in the lab - How Givon Ventures works with founders from three different generations - The challenge and opportunities that exist from venture capitalists living in conflict zones. This is a conversation about people, responsibility, and building systems that are meant to operate in real environments. This episode is In memory of Or Joseph Ran Z״L