Beyond the Idea: Elad Ben Meir on Building a Thriving Startup
What separates startups that thrive from those that fail? According to Elad Ben Meir, success isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about the relationships, strategy, and discipline that fuel long-term growth. With over 15 years of experience leading high-growth companies and executing successful turnarounds, Elad has transformed struggling businesses into thriving market leaders.
His approach underscores the importance of strong founder relationships, comparing them to a marriage that requires continuous communication, trust, and alignment. Without this foundation, even the most innovative startups can struggle. He also emphasizes the need for transparency at every level—founders, management, and investors—ensuring alignment and a shared vision for success.
Elad cautions against the dangers of overspending in pursuit of rapid growth. He advocates for a balanced approach, making calculated investments that drive scale while maintaining financial discipline. He will also share his insights on choosing the right investors, warning that big-name backers aren’t always the best fit if their vision, culture, or expectations don’t align with a startup’s long-term goals.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Elad Ben Meir’s extensive experience in scaling high-growth startups and leading successful turnarounds. Whether you're just starting out or navigating the complexities of growth, his expertise in founder relationships, communication, financial discipline, and investor alignment is invaluable.
Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT
Join us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner, Head of Member Success at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.
Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT
Elad Ben-Meir is a seasoned entrepreneur, CEO, and turnaround specialist with a proven track record in scaling startups, executing successful exits, and revitalizing struggling businesses. As the CEO of SCADAfence, he brings over 15 years of leadership experience in high-growth environments, financial turnarounds, and market repositioning. Previously, he served as VP of Marketing and Strategic Accounts at CyberInt and VP of Marketing and Products at indeni.
Elad is known for leading companies through crisis situations, securing strategic partnerships, and driving disciplined execution that leads to sustainable success. A strong advocate for financial discipline and founder-investor alignment, he regularly advises startups on raising capital, scaling responsibly, and avoiding common growth pitfalls. He holds a BA in Computer Science & Economics from Tel Aviv College and is a sought-after speaker in the cybersecurity and IT sectors.
Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT
Guests Are Welcome!
Please bring a guest! Every member can bring one (1) guest to each event. Each guest must be a full-time tech startup founder so they can bring new perspectives, skillsets, and experience to your chapter.
All guests must be full-time tech startup founders and you can register them directly on this function page. See How to Register a Guest here.
Confidentiality Policy:
All information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors, members, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity, Humility, Authenticity and Inclusivity.