Like you, we are entrepreneurs.

Our careers were built on building companies from the ground up and we understand the challenges of launching a successful new company. From initial concept to market validation to venture funding — we’ve been there and we know what it takes. In addition to funding, we offer our start-up, operations and finance experience as both founders and CEOs. Our approach offers what we had hoped for when we were in your shoes: non-judgmental, experienced, high integrity communication, feedback and advice.

Unlike most firms, Inspiration structures seed investments in a way that minimizes risk for our limited partners and benefits founders by better aligning the investors interests with the founders. Our interests are completely aligned with yours — whether the next step is a follow-on venture investment or a company acquisition — your success is our success.

Companies

Every time I speak with Gady and Robert, I learn something new that helps our company succeed. They are brilliant operators with a true understanding of the entrepreneurial journey, and they are extremely generous in sharing their wisdom and feedback. We are lucky to have Inspiration Ventures as a trusted partner.

Danielle Pascarella

CEO, One Eleven

Inspiration VC has been a great partner of BSPK. From the moment we engaged with them, Gady and Robert showed how well they know the entrepreneurial journey, and the unique value they can bring to our company as both investors and advisors. We are lucky to be working with them.

Zornitza Stefanova

CEO, BSPK

Gady and Robert wrote the first VC check for UserTesting and I worked alongside them for nearly 8 years. Their partnership was so valuable that when I started my next company, they were my first phone call. What I enjoy most about their founder-friendly approach is their "failure is not an option" attitude which aligns well with entrepreneurs.

Chris Hicken

CEO, ’nuffsaid

One of the best decisions I made as a Founder was to partner with Robert and Gady. Their indefatigable commitment, deep network, and true friendship helped shape our company from Day 1.

Jason Lee

CEO, DailyPay

As the first institutional investors in the company, Inspiration Ventures has proven themselves to be exactly what you want in an early investor. Robert and Gady understand and support the big vision, and push you to do all the things you need to do as an entrepreneur.

Rahul Sonnad

CEO, Tesloop

Capital is the smallest part of the value Inspiration provides. The guidance, connections, and collective wisdom Gady and Robert offer enabled us to move as quickly as possible without worrying about anything except building a successful business.

Will Haering

CEO, Rethink

Beyond funding they brought incredible value in helping with operational advice and support during key events for the Startup. Always a pleasure to have investors who are true entrepreneurs.

Marc Rochman

CEO, OpenBucks

Inspiration's value to a start-up far exceeds the capital — you gain a partner that provides valuable and honest feedback every step of the way.

Roger A. Lang, Jr.

CEO, Predicta

Gady and Robert's guidance has been instrumental to our initial success. They are thoughtful, deliberate and non-judgmental in every interaction. We are grateful to have experienced entrepreneurs and investors advising us

Alexandra Rasch

CEO, Caban Systems

After building 5 companies I still learn every time I'm on a call with Gady and Robert. It's great having operators on your investment team.

John Kogan

CEO, Illumeo

Their advice and guidance have consistently helped us find our own way, without ever being prescriptive. From the beginning, their interests have been aligned with our business, making them valuable and trusted partners.

Josh Lifton

CEO, CrowdSupply

Inspiration Ventures has lived up to their name. They've inspired us to be our best by believing in us and our business. They've spent the time to understand our business and they've made many valuable introductions.

Darrell Benatar

Founder, UserTesting

Robert and Gady are truly value-added investors — in addition to providing feedback on strategic business issues, their guidance has helped us create a strong corporate value system, which is one of the things about Buffer that makes me most proud.

Joel Gascoigne

CEO, Buffer

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Risk-Mitigated Investment Approach

Inspiration Ventures is a Silicon Valley based seed stage investment fund created by successful entrepreneurs and uniquely designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, diversify investment risk and maximize early capital returns.

The fund is structured to limit the risk of seed investing and more directly align the incentives of investors and entrepreneurs. Investments range in size from $250K to $1 million. Unlike most early stage funds that make many small investments and follow on at subsequent rounds, Inspiration is highly selective and only invests in the seed round. Risk is mitigated by partially exiting at the next financing event which also eliminates the conflict between existing and follow-on investments. Whether the next step is follow-on venture investment or company acquisition our interests are aligned with those of the entrepreneurs.

Investment Process: Simple is Better

We pride ourselves in providing honest and impactful feedback about your business plan — the good and the bad — of the “what would I do if I were in your shoes” nature. We believe in establishing a relationship based on honesty and trust from the initial meeting. If we decide not to invest, we tell you exactly why. No half-answers or platitudes, just the facts as we see them. If we decide to invest we provide you with a term sheet, agree on the target goals for the company during the seed phase, and commit to working in partnership with you to build a successful business. Simple, honest and direct — feel free to ask any of the founders we have backed.

Team

Gady Nemirovsky
General Partner

Gady has over 20 years of experience, including 10 years as founder and CEO of Sonnet Financial and Adzaar. Prior to Sonnet, Gady held senior positions at AlterEgo Networks and C*ATS Software, and began his career as an institutional funds manager at J.P. Morgan Investment Management. Gady serves as director or advisor on several corporate boards including UserTesting, Rethink Software, Illumeo, OpenBucks, and DailyPay. Gady received dual degrees in electrical engineering and finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Engineering and Wharton School of Business, respectively, where he graduated with honors.

Robert Fanini
General Partner

Robert has operational CEO experience in starting, growing and running successful start-ups including: Capital Technologies, systems administration consulting; Foglight Software, IT performance management software; SiteROCK US and KK, first Managed Service Providers in the US and Japan; and GroundWork, open source based IT management solutions. Robert serves as director or advisor on several corporate boards including Buffer, Reactful, Tap In Systems and The Bolde. Robert is a graduate of the UC-Berkeley with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Reverse Pitch Contest

Turn the Tables with a Reverse Pitch Experience!

Enter our reverse pitch contest to experience how your business plan should be pitched from an investor’s point of view.

What: we reverse roles and pitch your business plan to you!

How: to qualify, please complete this short form.

Why: see how an investor would pitch your business plan or idea and learn what elements are stressed to create the most compelling reasons for investment!

We provide up to 18 reverse pitch sessions each month.  Business plans that are accepted will be scheduled for an in person or remote reverse pitch date and time.  All business plans that are submitted are reviewed and if your business plan does not qualify we will tell you why!

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