From Food Stamps to $1B: A 14-Year-Old Immigrant's Cybersecurity Journey

Meet Aleksandr Yampolskiy, the founder and CEO of Security Scorecard, whose journey embodies the American dream. Arriving from Moscow at 14 without speaking English, Aleksandr transformed early hardships into fuel for success, building a cybersecurity company now valued at $1 billion with over $100M in annual revenue.   In this episode, Aleksandr opens up about his family's immigrant struggles, from gathering furniture off streets to relying on food stamps. Host Efraim guides us through Alexander's fascinating evolution from a curious teenager intrigued by an early cybersecurity incident to a visionary leader in the industry. Discover how Aleksandr built Security Scorecard from the ground up, navigating the challenges of fundraising, team building, and scaling a technology company. He shares authentic insights about leadership, customer obsession, and maintaining innovation in a competitive market. Whether you're an entrepreneur, cybersecurity professional, or someone pursuing ambitious goals, Alexander's story offers valuable lessons about resilience, continuous learning, and the power of long-term thinking.   Key Topics: - Immigrant journey and early challenges in America - The genesis and growth of Security Scorecard - Leadership lessons and building company culture - Innovation strategies in cybersecurity - Balancing personal growth with business success - The future of cybersecurity industry - Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and immigrants   Timeline:  00:00 Introduction  00:51 Immigrant Origins  02:00 Early Struggles in America  03:54 Education & Career Beginnings  10:34 Security Scorecard's Genesis  14:20 Fundraising Journey  20:36 Leadership Evolution  35:35 Learning from Failure  37:26 The Power of Mentorship  38:02 Work-Life Integration  39:48 Partner Support in Entrepreneurship  42:08 Innovation Strategy  46:10 Building Accountability  56:30 Future of Cybersecurity  01:01:39 Advice for Entrepreneurs  01:05:21 Closing Thoughts   Connect with Aleksandr:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayampolskiy/    Connect with Ephraim:  https://x.com/ephraimyarmak  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ephraimyarmak/    📢 SPONSORSHIP Interested in sponsoring the show? Email Ephraim at ey@bria.fund Thank you for considering!