Serial entrepreneur and startup advisor

I help founders make difficult decisions at every stage of a startup.

I have spent more than 15 years building technology companies. I have raised more than $21M, led teams of more than 40 people and worked in the United States, Europe and Australia. I now use that experience to help founders with product, market, fundraising and execution.

Talk to me on LinkedInSee my experience

I take on a small number of startup programs and advisory roles.

Portrait of Reuben Ilyich
Tel Aviv, Israel. Working globally.
$21M+Raised
40+People led
15+Years as a founder
US, Europe, AustraliaMarkets worked in

The startup journey

Where are you now?

Choose the stage that best describes your startup. Under each stage, you can see where my experience may be useful.

  1. 01

    Idea

    Is the problem clear enough to pursue?

    I can help with

    Problem clarity, founder thesis and the decision to continue.

  2. 02

    Validation

    Will a specific customer pay for this?

    I can help with

    Customer definition, market reality, competition and pricing.

  3. 03

    MVP

    What is the smallest product that can prove demand?

    I can help with

    Scope, priorities, tradeoffs and product and technology alignment.

  4. 04

    Go to market

    How do we reach the first users and learn quickly?

    I can help with

    Channel tests, early sales, feedback and traction metrics.

  5. 05

    Fundraising

    Are the story, milestones and numbers ready?

    I can help with

    Strategy, investor narrative, financial logic and preparation.

  6. 06

    Scale

    How do we grow without losing focus?

    I can help with

    Leadership, hiring, KPIs, operating rhythm and difficult decisions.

Selected experience

I have faced these decisions in my own companies.

My advice comes from work I have done myself. I have built products, raised capital, hired teams, sold to international clients, made mistakes and started again.

Reeeally

Founder and CEO

Current, AI, PropTech

I am building an AI platform that helps people evaluate residential investment properties in the United States. I have taken it from the initial idea to a live beta, fundraising and early sales.

ArborKnot

Co-Founder and Former CEO

Previous venture, FinTech, Enterprise

I co-founded and led a consumer receivables fintech serving clients in the United States, Europe and Australia. My work covered product, fundraising, partnerships, hiring and daily operations.

BlockStock.ai

Co-Founder and CEO

2022 to 2024, PropTech, FinTech

I built and tested a fractional real estate investing concept, including the product, regulatory questions and fundraising.

Paroo

Co-Founder and CEO

Started in 2019, AI, B2B SaaS

I started Paroo after experiencing a customer communication problem first-hand. We built a B2B AI product for direct communication through messaging channels.

Education

Business and EconomicsStrategy focus, College of Management

Languages

Hebrew, English and RussianNative Hebrew and Russian. Professional English.

Leadership

Founder and IDF reserve commanderLeadership experience from company building and reserve command.

Professional communities

Selected memberships

Vistage Worldwide

CEO Peer Advisory Member

Since 2022

The Israel Fintech Center

Member

Since 2024