Nadav Zafrir is an Israeli entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and former military intelligence officer born in 1971. He served as commander of Unit 8200, the Israel Defense Forces' elite signals intelligence unit comparable to the NSA, where his experience in cybersecurity and intelligence operations (from approximately 2006 to 2008) laid the foundation for his subsequent career. Zafrir is recognized as a key figure in Israel's 'Startup Nation' ecosystem, particularly in cybersecurity, due to his leadership in Unit 8200 alumni networks that foster innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2013, he co-founded Team8, a Tel Aviv-based venture creation firm where he serves as managing partner, focusing on building and investing in cybersecurity startups from the ground up through a 'company builder' model that leverages military alumni expertise. He is also the co-founder and Chairman of Claroty, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions for industrial control systems and operational technology environments established in 2015 as a Team8 venture, which has raised significant funding and achieved unicorn status. Zafrir's influence extends through his role in bridging military expertise with commercial innovation, contributing to Israel's prominence in cybersecurity exports, and includes policy and industry leadership through advisory roles in Israel's National Cyber Directorate. His career exemplifies the strong linkage between Israel's military intelligence alumni and its high-tech industry. Through Team8, he has fostered the creation of multiple cybersecurity firms, leveraging his network from Unit 8200 to attract talent and investment, including significant foreign investment from entities like SoftBank and ICONIQ Capital. His work has drawn international attention, with Team8 partnering with global investors and Claroty expanding operations worldwide. Zafrir frequently speaks at global conferences like RSA and has been profiled in outlets such as Forbes for his role in bridging military intelligence and commercial innovation. He is recognized for promoting innovation in defensive technologies amid geopolitical tensions, though his firms have faced scrutiny over potential ties to military applications. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, obtained in 1993, and remains active in Israel's tech leadership circles.