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Dean Sysman

Venture Advisor

From teaching himself to code from a library book at age 12 and leading the Israeli team to a gold medal at the International Robotics Olympiad three years later, Dean Sysman’s passion for technology and computers had him on his career track at an early age. After the robotics win, he said, “I realized people care about this stuff. It’s not just something that interests me. I can actually create an impact with it.”

So began his career. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science at age 19 from the University of Haifa and then performed his mandatory military service in Israel’s Unit 8200, the cybersecurity unit equivalent to the NSA in the US, rising through the ranks to captain.

Fast forward a few years, and Dean is now a world-renowned entrepreneur, cybersecurity expert, and the CEO and co-founder of Axonius, a company that has grown to $2.6B valuation in less than 5 years from founding. He also co-founded Cymmetria, a YC-backed cyber deception company that was acquired by private equity.

“I wanted to be an entrepreneur because I knew I have to have this really big mission that I feel is making an impact for people.”

As a Venture Advisor at AI Fund, Dean channels this experience and impact to work with founders on their 0 to 1 journey and beyond. “The most important thing I can teach founders is how to understand and grow the relationship  with a person who is critical to their success,” he says. 

Another skill is the ability to be a business leader navigating complex interpersonal relationships while maintaining his technical edge. Dean explains “As a founder you develop a deep conviction and vision for the technology and understand its potential impact. That conviction motivates you to be a bit humbler, to realize where you need to grow as a business leader. That humility is what allows you to end up being really great at both.”

Along with his AI industry involvement as advisor and investor, Dean is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and sits on the Fast Company executive board. He has been honored with a place on the Forbes Under30 Israel list and was a winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in New York. Dean lives with wife and daughter in New York City

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