Work
Work
- Operating Partner, 97212 Ventures
- Founder, Leap
97212 Ventures is a NYC based seed fund for Israeli founders building category-defining companies.Leap is an unique first-check and incubation program for early stage (pre-seed) US and EU founders.
97212 Ventures is a NYC based seed fund for Israeli founders building category-defining companies.
Leap is an unique incubation program for pre-seed / seed stage startups with funnel-led GTM.
Leap
For US and EU Founders
Leap invests up to $300K in startups with funnel based GTM (B2C, product-led, lead-gen and vertical SaaS with short sales cycles).It offers two distinct paths for founders:
1. Bootstrapping / lean venture path - designed to accelerate revenue and scale with zero (or minimal) funding.
2. VC backed path - catalyzing a pre-seed round, driving traction, and orchestrating a Seed round.The program includes a hands-on GTM process from 0 to $100K. We roll up the sleeves and dive deep to drive traction. Execution is king.It's a re-imagined approach for building your startup.If you're a US or EU founder with a big and bold vision, then I'd love to chat.
Reach out through the contact form 👇.
Process & Benefits
First check, up to $300K.
Additional capital up to $1M through Leap's network (optional).
Structured, high velocity GTM process to scale revenue from 0 to $100K.
Orchestrating a full Seed round.
Leap
For US and EU Founders
Overview
Leap invests up to $300K in funnel driven startups (B2C, product-led & lead-gen GTM).The program offers two distinct paths for founders:1. Bootstrapping / lean venture path - designed to accelerate revenue and scale with zero (or minimal) funding.2. VC backed path - catalyzing a pre-seed round, driving traction, and orchestrating a Seed round.
Process & Benefits
First check, up to $300K.
Additional capital up to $1M through Leap's network (optional).
Structured, high velocity GTM process to scale revenue from 0 to $100K.
Orchestrating a full Seed round.
The program is fully hands-on. We roll up the sleeves, dive deep, and drive traction. Execution is king.
Bottom Line
Leap is a re-imagined approach for building your startup.If you're a US or EU founder with a big and bold vision, then I'd love to chat.
Reach out through the contact form.
👇
97212 Ventures
For Israeli Founders
97212 Ventures is a next-generation VC and day-one partner for Israeli founders, providing seed capital and insider access to the NYC tech ecosystem.As a founder-driven fund, we provide real access at the earliest stages, enable first major wins and speed up time to market.If you're an early stage Israeli founder, you can apply for funding through our website.
97212 Ventures
For Israeli Founders
97212 Ventures is a next-generation VC and day-one partner for Israeli founders, providing seed capital and insider access to the NYC tech ecosystem.As a founder-driven fund, we provide real access at the earliest stages, enable first major wins and speed up time to market.If you're an early stage Israeli founder, you can apply for funding through our website.
Operating Partner, 97212 Ventures
Startup Partner, Leap
SVP Products, Innovid (IPO, Acquired)
AVP Product, MediaMind (IPO, Acquired)
MBA, Duke University
LL.B., Tel Aviv Univeristy
About
About
A product guy turned VC.
Over the past two decades, I played a key role in building and scaling category-leading companies with over $200M in annual revenues and over $100M in funding.As a product and strategy executive, I've gone from startup to exit twice with a total over $2B in corporate exits.My operational experience provides a strong foundation for my work with early-stage companies today, where I blend strategic vision and perspective with hands-on execution and action driven approach.
Operating Partner, 97212 Ventures
Startup Partner, Leap
SVP Products, Innovid (IPO, Acquired)
AVP Product, MediaMind (IPO, Acquired)
MBA, Duke University
LL.B., Tel Aviv Univeristy
Contact
Contact
Whether you're a startup founder, an investor, or an operator, I'm always happy to connect and chat.
Ronnie Lavi
Get Funded & Grow
👇
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Online Event
The Investor Mindset
The Investor Mindset
An insider look into the behind-the-scenes of VCs perspective, pitch evaluations, and investment decisions.
An insider look into the behind-the-scenes of VCs perspective, startup pitch evaluations, and investment decisions.
VC fundraising can feel like an enigma, a moving target with unclear rules. In this webinar, we'll pull back the curtain and give you a behind-the-scenes look at how investors truly think.As a VC myself, I’ll share the unspoken truths and non-trivial factors that influence investment decisions, insights you won’t find in a typical pitch deck guide.Join me to demystify VC fundraising and put you on the path to a successful raise.Here's what you'll gain:
VC fundraising can feel like an enigma, a moving target with unclear rules. In this webinar, we'll pull back the curtain and give you a behind-the-scenes look at how investors truly think.As a VC myself, I’ll share the unspoken truths and non-trivial factors that influence investment decisions, insights you won’t find in a typical pitch deck guide.Join me to demystify VC fundraising and put you on the path to a successful raise.
Here's what you'll gain:
Learn what VCs are really looking for and how they assess pitches.
Understand the subtle cues that make or break a deal.
Get more responses and better engagement from VCs.
Avoid endless pitches that lead to nowhere.
Ask me anything you'd like in the Q&A.
Online Event
The Investor Mindset
An insider look into the behind-the-scenes of VCs perspective, pitch evaluations, and investment decisions.
A must for any founder who's planning to fundraise. - Alex Boyd
OverviewVC fundraising can feel like an enigma, a moving target with unclear rules. In this webinar, we'll pull back the curtain and give you a behind-the-scenes look at how investors truly think.The Plan
As a VC myself, I’ll share the unspoken truths and non-trivial factors that influence investment decisions, insights you won’t find in a typical pitch deck guide.Join me to demystify VC fundraising and put you on the path to a successful raise.Why Attend?
Here's what you'll gain:
Learn what VCs are really looking for and how they assess pitches.
Understand the subtle cues that make or break a deal.
Get more responses and better engagement from VCs.
Avoid endless pitches that lead to nowhere.
Ask me anything you'd like in the Q&A.
Host
For over 2 decades, Ronnie has played a key role in building and scaling category-leading companies. He has gone from startup to IPO to exit twice (totalling over $2B). Ronnie currently invests and works closely with early-stage startups.
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Hands-On Coaching
Get Funded:
From Pitch to Term Sheet
Hands-On Coaching
Get Funded
From Pitch to Term Sheet
All You Need for VC Fundraising
This coaching program is designed to help founders raise capital with more ease and speed while being more efficient and avoiding critical mistakes.Pitch Deck & Fundraising Plan
The program starts with a 2-week period, in which you’ll build a pitch and a plan that speaks directly to investors. We'll then move on to build a custom fundraising plan that puts you in front of the right people, secure more investor meetings, avoid fundraising mistakes, and prevent endless loops with investors.Coaching
Once you're ready to launch your fundraising process, you'll receive ongoing coaching and support as needed until you get a term sheet. This includes weekly meetings, as well texts and emails as needed. We'll focus on getting you prepared and improving based on results and feedbackWhy Join?
By joining the program you’ll save time, reduce friction in your process, and increase your chances of closing a successful round.
" Ronnie's guidance on fundraising and strategic planning is invaluable. "
Namik Soltan, Founder
Program Details
Benefits
Develop a strong pitch that speaks the investor’s language and portrays a compelling opportunity.
Develop a fundraising strategy and process that uses the 'wave' framework, putting you in front of your desired investors at the best time.
Get investors' attention and secure meetings with more of them.
Learn how to engage investors to avoid cold pitches.
Cut down on the number of meetings required to get to a check.
Limit costly mistakes and avoid endless fundraising loops with investors.
Schedule
| Session # | Duration | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.5 hrs | Story Line: The insight, audience, problem & solution |
| 2 | 1.5 hrs | Story Line 2: TAM, GTM, Traction, Projections, Team |
| 3 | 1 hr | 1:1 full deck review |
| 4 | Async | Offline deck iterations via email or Loom |
| 5 | 1 hr | Fundraising planning: overview, discussion, draft plan |
| 6 | 30min | 1:1 fundraising plan review |
| 7 | Ongoing | Going Live! - fundraising support before and after VC pitches |
What you'll get
4 online live sessions including frontal presentation, exercises, guided discussions, Q&A.
2 dedicated 1x1 private sessions to review your pitch deck and fundraising plan.
Support via email/whatsapp in between sessions.
A small forum of up to 10 like-minded founders and a safe space to engage with, discuss, ask questions.
Templates and tools.
Ongoing support and coaching via meetings, calls, whatsapp, and emails, until you raise your round.
Your Instructor
For over 2 decades, Ronnie has played a key role in building and scaling category-leading companies. He has gone from startup to IPO to exit twice (totalling over $2B). Ronnie currently invests and works closely with early-stage startups.
Get Funded
Don't leave your fundraising success to luck. Join other founders getting insider advice, tips and behind the scenes VC insights.
Don't leave fundraising success to luck.Join other founders getting insider advice, tips and behind the scenes VC insights.
Sign up to unlock the VC black box.
Favorably reviewed
Welcome
Demystifying VC Fundraising
Hi, I'm Ronnie Lavi.
I level the fundraising playing field for founders.
Unmasking the hidden VC rules.VC fundraising is an elusive, vague process. It's a "black box."There's a complete information asymmetry:VCs hold back info. They offer vague investment criteria, laconic feedback and zero visibility into internal dynamics.On the other hand, Founders need to share everything: pitch deck, historical data, bank statements, etc.Founders are in a complete disadvantage while playing a guessing game.Now, top that with a lengthy and unpredictable process that can take months.It's painful.As a former VC, I sat across the table and saw the founders' struggle firsthand. I decided to change it by creating unparalleled transparency and sharing the essential insights held back by VCs and unspoken by others.This level of transparency will level the playing field for founders.
Start Here
Get Funded Newsletter
Weekly insights from behind the VC scenes
Dive Deeper
Additional Resources
Webinar
Cracking the VC Code
An insider look into the behind-the-scenes of VCs perspective, pitch evaluations, and investment decisions.Join me to demystify VC fundraising and get on the path to a successful raise.
eBook
The Investor Mindset
Learn how early stage investors think and how they evaluate investment opportunities. A must read for every startup founder.Get your free copy.
No more guessing
Real candid insights
Complete transparency
Knowledge For running a smarter and fairer raise.
Sign up to take control and raise with confidence.
Reviews
What Founders Say
"Ronnie's advice is invaluable. He has been a great resource for me on multiple fronts such as fundraising, making strategic intros and overall planning."
Namik Soltan, GNGR Labs
"Ronnie has been instrumental to our success thus far, providing strategic guidance, facilitating our user acquisition plan and adjusting our product roadmap."
John Park, Goodiez
"Working with Ronnie has been an incredibly enriching experience. I am thankful for his guidance and startup domain expertise. Ronnie is a TRUE pro."
Dave Smith, The SAFE Steps
Bio
About Me
I am the Founder of Leap, a 0-to-Seed incubation program.Prior to Leap, I served as an Operating Partner at 97212 Ventures, a pre-Seed and Seed-stage VC firm. Before crossing the table to the VC side, I spent more than two decades on the startup side, helping build and scale category-leading companies. I’ve gone from startup to exit twice — through both IPO and acquisition — totaling more than $2 billion in outcomes.Through Leap, I continue to work closely with early-stage startups.During my time as a VC partner, I saw firsthand how disadvantaged founders are throughout the fundraising process. The lack of transparency, clear expectations, and candid guidance was painful to witness.I started Leap to change that — to level the playing field and give founders the clarity and support they need to succeed.