Autonomous

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Autonomous explores the technologies reshaping the physical world - drones, robotics, and AI-driven machines. Through conversations with founders, engineers, and investors, the podcast examines the breakthroughs, operational lessons, and market opportunities defining the future of autonomous systems. Hosted by Shay Senior, an Israeli entrepreneur and technology scout in unmanned systems.

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Episode 18 - Gili Elkin - Managing Partner @ICI Fund

What does it actually take to raise a VC fund from scratch with no network, no track record and everyone telling you it won’t work? In this episode of the Autonomous Podcast, I sat down with Gili Elkin, Managing Partner of ICI Fund, to discuss the mindset behind building both companies and venture funds in deep tech. From growing up between Israel and the U.S., to raising her first fund in Colorado through pure resilience, community building and hundreds of conversations. Gili shares what investors actually look for in founders, why “first check” investing is all about people, and why entrepreneurs should stop waiting for the “perfect moment” before reaching out. We also go deep into: The cultural gap between Israeli founders and American investorsWhy storytelling matters as much as technologyHow ICI evaluates deeptech companies before investingAI infrastructure, space, data centers and the future of hard-tech investingWhy the strongest founders are usually the ones who simply never stopOne line from the episode that stayed with me: “It’s never too early to come to us.” For founders, investors and operators building in autonomy, robotics, defense, AI infrastructure and deep technologies, this one is worth the listen.

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Episode 17 - Moshe Baum - Co-founder @Wild West Systems

In this episode, I sit down with Moshe Baum, Mechanical engineer, drone pilot, and co-founder of Wild West Systems. Moshe’s path moves through very different environments: from working on the NAMER platform during his service in the IDF, to engineering roles in companies like Apple and SpaceX, and now building his own systems in Texas. What made this conversation interesting is not just the experience, but the overlap between worlds that usually don’t speak the same language. We talk about the connection between IDF methodologies, where systems are built for real use under pressure and the principles behind companies like Apple and SpaceX, where design, iteration, and execution are pushed to a different level. Topics we covered: The difference between building systems that have to work in the field vs. systems built in controlled environmentsWhat Moshe took from Apple’s precision and SpaceX’s speed, and how those approaches translate into robotics todayThe gap between how autonomy is presented and what is actually possible in real-world scenariosSwarm systems, what is working today, and where the limitations still areWhy proximity to real environments matters when developing hardware and autonomous systemsThe role of human control vs. autonomy in mission-critical operationsLessons from moving between Israel and the U.S. when it comes to building and deploying systemsThis is a conversation about how different disciplines — military, engineering, and product thinking — come together when you’re building systems that are meant to operate in the real world.

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Episode 16 - Rubi Liani - Co-founder & CTO @XTEND

In Episode 16, we sit down with Rubi Liani, co-founder of XTEND, and go deeper into the path that led him there. It starts far from what you might expect - flying RC planes as a kid, building intuition through curiosity, not a defined plan. From there, moving into the Navy and stepping into an environment shaped by responsibility, structure, and real decision-making under pressure. What followed wasn’t a straight line. Together with Aviv Shapira, through the Israel Drone Racing League (FRIL), Rubi entered the world of gaming, building a company in a space where others, with more experience and resources, had already tried to solve similar problems. Over time, that journey evolved into what we know today as XTEND. In this conversation, we talk about: how early decisions shape long-term directionchoosing the right people and building trustoperating with limited resources while still moving forwardand how seemingly unrelated experiences connect over timeWe also dive into how that background led to rethinking how drone pilots are trained and not just building systems, but building capability. This is not a story about a “perfect path.”It’s about how different chapters come together, and only make sense in hindsight. If you’re building, investing, or operating in defense tech, there’s a lot to take from this one.

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Episode 15 - Ariel Avitan - Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer @ Percepto

In this episode, I sit down with Ariel Avitan, co-founder of Percepto; one of the companies quietly leading the adoption of autonomous drone systems across infrastructure in the United States. Percepto didn’t just build a drone.They built the full system - The box, the drone, the firmware, and the application, all designed to operate in real environments, weather, congested airspace and beyond line of sight. We talk about what it takes to move from technology to deployment, and why some of the most important work in autonomy today is happening far from the spotlight - in energy sites, utilities, and industrial facilities. Ariel shares his perspective on: Building a full-stack autonomous system, end-to-endWorking closely with regulators and being part of the FAA unmanned vehicles ecosystemWhy infrastructure became the right entry point for autonomyThe gap between building a product and operating it in the fieldWhat changes when founders relocate and stay close to their customersThis is a conversation about execution, proximity, and building systems that are meant to run without you there.

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Episode 14: Conversation with Yahel Efroni - Business Development & Partnerships @Givon Defense

In this episode, I sit down with Yahel Efroni to talk about what it means to build technology in a reality where roles constantly shift and how does the ecosystem have evolved with new faces that 2 years ago were not looking towards Defense innovation but have realized thier dedication today is for the future of their children. We discuss how that dual experience shapes the way early-stage companies are built in Israel today, and how it influences the type of solutions being developed across defense, medical care, physical AI, and logistics. We also go into how Givon Ventures approaches early-stage teams, not just from an investment perspective, but from close involvement in the field, understanding what actually works under real conditions. In this episode we cover: - The dual reality of building companies while serving in parallel roles - How real-world constraints shape early-stage product decisions - Why getting to the field early matters more than perfecting in the lab - How Givon Ventures works with founders from three different generations - The challenge and opportunities that exist from venture capitalists living in conflict zones. This is a conversation about people, responsibility, and building systems that are meant to operate in real environments. This episode is In memory of Or Joseph Ran Z״L

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Episode 13: Conversation with Elinor Yakobson - Defense & Cyber Cluster Manager

In this episode, we sit down with Elinor Yakobson, a specialist in defense tech, dual-use innovation, cyber, and homeland security, for a candid conversation on what it really means to lead in one of the world's most demanding industries. In this conversation, we explore: - What it's like to be a woman in a field where women are rarely in the room - Israel's high-tech defense ecosystem - home to over 1,200 companies, roughly 600 in cyber and 600 in military, homeland security, and related fields with a significant concentration in drones and UAVs - What it takes to bridge government, venture capital, and startups in high-impact fields - Translating national security priorities into actionable innovation strategies - Building policy frameworks and public-private partnerships that actually move the needle - Where dual-use technology is heading and who gets to shape that future This episode is not about surviving in Men's world. It's about redefining it.

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Episode 12: Conversation with Aaron Applbaum - Kinetica Ventures

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Appelbaum, Partner at Kinetica VC, for a thoughtful conversation on defense tech, investing, and long-term responsibility. In this conversation, we explore: Growing up in a home shaped by investing, policy, and global security Why Aaron was drawn early to international relations and decision-making Choosing Israel as a home base for building and backing defense technology How defense tech investing compares to cyber and traditional software Why timelines, risk, and accountability look different in defense ventures What early-stage founders often underestimate in the defense ecosystem How dual-use technologies move from national needs to global markets Where Aaron sees Israeli defense startups positioned globally over the next few years This episode is not about headlines or hype. it’s about judgment, patience, and building technologies that matter.

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١٨ فبراير

Episode 11 - Conversation with Ike Bodner - Board Director @letsdosomething & Co-founder of the SandBox

In this episode, Shay Senior sits down with Ike Bodner for a deeply personal conversation about identity, responsibility, and building in the hardest moments. Ike moved to Israel in 2009, served in the Israeli Air Force at Nevatim Air Base as an F-35 engine mechanic, and later worked as a drone mechanic at Aeronautics. But this conversation goes far beyond résumés. We talk about Ike’s journey as an oleh to Jerusalem, his military service, and the personal impact of October 7th, a tragedy that reshaped his priorities and sense of mission. Out of that moment came action. Ike shares what led him to help establish the Sandbox — a physical space for early-stage defense startups to build, test, and move fast. Not as an accelerator, not as a pitch room, but as a place where ideas meet reality, tools, and people who understand urgency. We also talk about friendship, loss, and commitment. Ike puts his professional work on hold to honor the memory of David, his high school teammate and lifelong friend, through the ongoing operations of Soldiers Save Lives — turning grief into responsibility. This isn’t an episode about technology specs or fundraising rounds. It’s about what happens when building becomes personal and why, sometimes, the most important systems are human ones.

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مشاهدة الكل (١٩)

Super interesting listen

١٦ يناير

Shay hadani

One the best content for drone and robotics industry

Autonomous explores the technologies reshaping the physical world - drones, robotics, and AI-driven machines. Through conversations with founders, engineers, and investors, the podcast examines the breakthroughs, operational lessons, and market opportunities defining the future of autonomous systems. Hosted by Shay Senior, an Israeli entrepreneur and technology scout in unmanned systems.

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