Episode #84: Lior Segal – Co-founder and Managing Partner at Horizon Capital

In this episode, we speak with Lior Segal, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Horizon Capital

Horizon Capital is an Israeli venture capital fund backing founders at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages. It’s sector-agnostic by design, built to support early-stage startups wherever opportunity strikes.

Lior’s path to venture wasn’t linear. Before launching the fund, he led Data Matching Solutions as CEO until its acquisition by SafeCharge. He stayed on as VP of Gaming Innovation and later helped shape global payment strategies at Nasdaq-listed TSG. His operator-first lens gives him a practical, grounded perspective that shapes how he evaluates and supports startups.

Together with his co-founder – Yani Jacobi, who also happens to be his childhood friend – he built Horizon Capital from the ground up, without a traditional investing background. And while their portfolio includes headline names like Verbit, OwnBackup, and Blue Ribbon, this conversation doesn’t focus on the wins. It focuses on the how.

“We are trying to master uncertainty.”

In this conversation, we dive into what it really takes to run a VC fund like a startup, the importance of founder dynamics, and the discipline required to stay focused in a market defined by noise.

We explore:

Self-fulfillment and leaving law behind to build in tech.

Lior began his career as a lawyer but quickly realized it wasn’t the right path. He shifted into the tech and fintech world, trading legal frameworks for hands-on company building.

What it means to build a venture fund from scratch.

Lior and his partner launched Horizon without prior investing experience – treating it as a startup in its own right, complete with its own pitch process, learning curve, and pressure to prove value fast.

How friendship can work in business – if boundaries are clear.

They set ground rules from day one: friendship comes first, business second. Professional disagreements are dealt with directly, and personal trust stays intact.

The dynamic between co-founders – and what Horizon pays close attention to

From subtle looks in meetings to how roles are divided, Horizon places a strong emphasis on how startup founders interact, not just the business model.

Why focus matters more than vision at the early stage.

Lior urges founders to avoid distractions, skip the five-year plans, and build a short, focused path to the next funding round.

“it’s very nice to think you know, 5 or 10 years ahead, but in this world, when everything can blow up one morning, you can’t really do it. You need to have a great vision, but you need to be very focused.”

The challenge of monetizing AI products in a crowded market.

AI may be everywhere, but few founders know how to turn it into revenue. Lior breaks down the importance of testing pricing early and identifying real user value.

The current noise in the AI space – and how to think through it.

With so many startups riding the AI wave, it’s harder than ever to stand out. Horizon looks for teams that go beyond tech wrappers and hype, and build something defensible.

How staying calm is a strategic advantage.

In a market that shifts by the day, Lior shares how he makes decisions without panicking – staying anchored in strategy, even when conditions are unpredictable.

If you’re looking for practical insights on founder dynamics, business focus, and building in uncertain times – this one’s for you.

Tune in, take notes, and share it with someone who’s building something bold.