Ignite VC: Yotam Rosenbaum’s Approach to Investing in Early-Stage Startups

Episode 109 of the Ignite Podcast

In this episode of Ignite Podcast, we sit down with Yotam Rosenbaum, a man who has worn many hats: musician, startup founder, investor, and mentor. Rosenbaum’s story is one of creative reinvention, shifting from his early days in music to becoming a leading investor with over 300 Y Combinator (YC) companies under his belt. His insights on building a startup, pivoting careers, and investing in early-stage companies offer valuable lessons for both entrepreneurs and investors.

A Journey from Israel to Berklee College of Music

Yotam Rosenbaum’s path began far from Silicon Valley. Born and raised in Israel, he followed the country’s mandatory military service before receiving a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, he studied music composition and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a professional career in the industry.

In LA, Rosenbaum worked as a music producer and composer, writing for TV shows and bands. However, the struggles of marketing independent music led him to a pivotal realization: traditional methods weren’t working. This frustration eventually sparked the idea for his first startup, EarBits, an online…