Don’t Just Pitch; Connect with Investors Through Vision

Nadav Eylath, founder and managing partner of at.inc, shares his philosophy of early-stage investing rooted in trust, long-term thinking, and technical rigor. Nadav talks about backing founders at the very inception of their startup journey—sometimes even before they’ve left their jobs. He explains how asking questions like “What kind of company will this be in 30 years?” leads to deeper conviction and better partnerships. Nadav also shares his views on why venture capital needs to evolve and how a flexible, founder-first approach can reshape the industry. In this episode, you’ll learn: [01:49] From building treehouses to model airplanes: Nadav’s early love for tech and tinkering [03:26] How informal advising turned into full-time investing [04:57] The meaning behind the name at.inc and how it reflects the firm’s thesis [10:01] “What kind of company will this be in 30 years?”—the power of visionary questions [13:30] Building conviction: fast no’s, thoughtful yes’s [15:51] How early-stage founders can build a relationship with Nadav [20:14] Why Nadav says no: timing and fit [24:07] How venture capital should evolve to serve today’s founders The nonprofit organization Nadav is passionate about: Tel Aviv UniversityAbout Nadav Eylath Nadav Eylath is the founder and managing partner of at.inc, a venture capital firm that invests at the very inception of startups. With a background in data science, marketing, and company-building, Nadav brings an operator’s empathy and a long-term investor’s lens to early-stage ventures. His career spans roles at startups acquired by companies like Intuit, as well as over a decade of deliberate, hands-on venture investing. Nadav’s approach is grounded in trust, curiosity, and a passion for helping founders bring technically ambitious and globally relevant ideas to life.About at.inc at.inc—short for “at incorporation or at inception”—is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that backs startups from day zero. The firm invests in deeply technical companies with global potential, often writing the first check when founders are just forming their ideas. Generalist by design, at.inc partners with entrepreneurs across sectors, emphasizing long-term vision, high trust, and a hands-on approach. With a focused investment pace and founder-first philosophy, at.inc supports startups throughout their full journey, from inception to global scale. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.