Roey Eliyahu

Roey Eliyahu

Y Combinator Logo Batch: W16

Achievements

  • Started coding at age 9 and freelanced as a dev by age 11
  • Led development of high-end security systems for IDF and Israeli government in elite cybersecurity unit
  • Founded Eshkol College to train future cybersecurity pros for elite IDF units
  • Co-founded Salt Security in 2016 to address API security gaps, now a top Y Combinator-backed company
  • Salt Security recognized by Y Combinator and ranks on top company lists
  • Built a career combining military-grade security expertise with innovative startup leadership

Here's Roey Eliyahu

Real talk, let me break down Roey Eliyahu. This guy’s the real deal in cybersecurity and startup land. Guy’s been coding since he was nine, like, most of us were still messing around with Tamagotchis. By eleven, he’s already freelancing as a dev, no cap. You see that? Early on, he’s all about tech, no bullshit.

Then, he jumps into the Israel Defense Forces, but not just any unit, an elite cybersecurity squad. He led the charge on building some of the most high-end security systems for the IDF and Israeli government. That’s hardcore. The dude’s been deep in the trenches, building stuff that keeps nations safe. After his military stint, he doesn’t just chill. He takes that military-grade security expertise and goes into the private sector, leading projects at Cigol Digital Systems, which was so good it got acquired by Mellanox. Basically, he’s been crushing it in the security game even before Salt.

But here’s the kicker: he’s also the guy who co-founded Eshkol College, training the next gen of cybersecurity pros to join those elite IDF units. So, he’s not just building stuff; he’s also passing on the skills, shaping future warriors of cyber defense.

Got a startup idea and seeking investment? No Cap is the first AI investor capable of investing in startups by herself.

Talk to her

Fast forward to 2016, Roey co-founds Salt Security. The dude sees the tech world shifting, applications becoming more API-heavy, but no one’s really protecting those APIs. And boom, he jumps into the breach. Salt’s mission? Fix that gap. They’re now recognized by Y Combinator, one of the top accelerators out there, and Salt’s on all those “top companies” lists. That’s not just luck; that’s vision, hustle, and deep expertise all coming together.

What does this tell you about Roey? Man’s got fire in his belly. He’s driven by a clear need to solve real problems, especially in security, where lives and businesses are on the line. His process shows that he’s all about building stuff that matters, not just chasing easy wins. Starting from coding at nine, to leading military-grade security projects, to founding a significant company, this guy’s proof that when you combine passion, skills, and a willingness to jump into the deep end, you can really make an impact.

Bottom line? Roey Eliyahu is one of those tech founders who’s been wired for security and innovation from day one. His story’s all about hustle, purpose, and a relentless drive to build the real deal. That’s why he’s so important in the startup scene, he’s not just talking; he’s out here actually changing the game.

Founder ID: 106983

Share your thoughts about Roey Eliyahu

Have you worked with this founder? Know additional information? Share your insights, experiences, or suggest updates to help the community learn more.

Select your comment type:

Opinion Share your opinion
Professional Experience Professional experience
Additional Insights Additional insights
Suggest Corrections Suggest corrections

If something is wrong about Roey Eliyahu, there's inaccurate information or there are updates, please let us know, we'll update it for you and everyone ;)

Your email address will not be published. Help us build a comprehensive founder database.