Yoav Vilner advises and invests in AI and cybersecurity startups after cofounding Walnut and serving as its CEO. He writes about category creation and product positioning, arguing that a founder’s convictions should shape the product and company as well as its messaging. He's also an a16z Scout, a Webby's executive judge, and portfolio includes Upwind Security, Way Security, New Core, Modus, and exited companies such as Talon and Clarity.
Scout
Founding Member and Advisory Board Member
Joined Way Security's advisory board as a founding member, supporting the company's growth following its emergence from stealth.
Founder & Board Member
Co-founded Walnut and led the company as CEO as it developed the interactive-demo software category, raised $56 million, and served customers including Adobe, HP, Dell, IBM, and NetApp.
Advisor
Advises Upwind Security as part of his work with cybersecurity startups.
Advisor
Advisory involvement with Talon, a cybersecurity company later acquired by Palo Alto Networks.
Investor
Invests in NewCore as part of his portfolio of technology startups.
Angel Investor and Advisory Board Member
Serves as an angel investor and advisory board member at modus.
Founding Advisor
Supported Clarity AI from its early stage; the company was later acquired by Deel.
CEO & Founder
Founded and led Ranky, a marketing firm for technology companies serving hundreds of startup clients.
