EP 92: Why I Left My $500M Startup to Start Again — Shay Levi (Unframe AI)

He sold for $500M—then started all over again. Get our free investor/buyer list at thunder.vcWhy Shay Levi left NoName Security after its $500M sale to AkamaiHow he built Unframe AI and raised millions at a massive valuationThe mindset shift from cybersecurity to AI innovationWhat founders get wrong about timing their exitsLessons on capital efficiency and founder evolution after a big win----------------------------------------------------Looking for capital or to sell?Get a list of vetted investors and buyers for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode92&utm_id=%24100M+ExitsGet the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode92&utm_id=%24100M+ExitsHere’s what you’re in for:00:00 – Intro: From $500M exit to new beginnings02:15 – The Akamai acquisition story: what really happened05:40 – Why Shay left at the peak08:20 – The “LLM moment” that sparked Unframe AI11:10 – Founder reinvention: starting again after massive success14:50 – Raising at a huge valuation from day one18:30 – Cybersecurity vs AI: mindset and market lessons22:00 – What $500M taught Shay about building the next one25:10 – Advice to founders chasing their second act28:00 – Jason’s recap and founder takeawaysAbout $100M Exits $100M Exits is where founders and investors who’ve achieved $100M+ outcomes share raw, unfiltered lessons. Hosted by Jason Kirby, each episode dives deep into the psychology, strategy, and playbook behind 9-figure exits and the next wave of category-defining startups.About the Guest – Shay Levi Shay Levi is the co-founder and former CTO of NoName Security, which was acquired by Akamai for nearly $500M. After scaling one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity startups of the decade, Shay left to found Unframe AI, a new venture pushing the boundaries of AI infrastructure and reasoning systems. Known for his product-first mindset and calm precision as a technical founder, Shay is now building in one of the most competitive spaces of the decade.You can reach out to Shay through:Website: https://www.unframe.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaylevi2/?originalSubdomain=ilEmail: leave a comment to get an introAbout the Host – Jason Kirby Jason Kirby is the Managing Partner at Thunder and host of $100M Exits, where he shares stories and lessons from founders who’ve raised, sold, or scaled to 9-figure outcomes. He’s an active investor and advisor to high-growth startups navigating capital and acquisition strategies.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/