Tech Entrepreneur Becomes Tour Guide After Two Successful Exits
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Erez Goldstein, a successful high-tech entrepreneur who achieved two major company exits, has transitioned to become a certified tour guide and spiritual educator. Feeling unfulfilled despite his financial success, Goldstein pursued studies in ancient Jewish wisdom and other spiritual disciplines. He now leads "Mas'a Adam Ve'adama," a program combining nature treks with personal growth, aiming to help participants find purpose. The transition was a gradual process that began nearly two decades ago.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Erez Goldstein left a successful high-tech career after two major company exits to become a spiritual tour guide.
- Goldstein felt unfulfilled and "nervous" despite significant financial and professional achievements.
- He founded Integrity Software in 2011, selling two-thirds to Matrix in 2018.
- His cyber startup Crusoe Security was later sold to Palo Alto Networks in 2022.
- Goldstein now runs "Mas'a Adam Ve'adama," a spiritual journey program combining nature and self-discovery.
- The transition was a gradual process involving spiritual studies over 18 years.
Erez Goldstein, a 59-year-old entrepreneur who founded "Mas'a Adam Ve'adama" (Journey of Man and Earth), transitioned from a highly successful career in high-tech to becoming a certified tour guide focused on spirituality and ancient Jewish wisdom. Goldstein achieved significant financial success, including two multi-million dollar "exits" from companies he founded. Despite this success, he felt unfulfilled, describing himself as "nervous" and unable to fully connect with his employees, feeling that "time was managing me instead of the other way around." He also grappled with existential questions about his life's purpose.
Goldstein's career began after studying economics and accounting at the Hebrew University and working in finance before moving into entrepreneurship in software and cyber security. He served in leadership roles at companies like SoftCubes BI, Oracle Israel, and One1 Group. A pivotal moment came when he was not chosen for a senior leadership position, an event he later viewed as a blessing that redirected him.
In 2011, he founded Integrity Software, which specialized in software marketing and implementation, particularly in infrastructure and information security. The company faced initial struggles, with no revenue for six months, but Goldstein remained optimistic and committed. The company's fortunes changed with its first acquisition about six months after its founding, leading to steady growth and further product development. In 2018, he sold two-thirds of Integrity Software to Matrix for millions of shekels, remaining as CEO. A second successful exit occurred in 2022 when his cyber startup, Crusoe Security, was acquired by Palo Alto Networks.
Despite these achievements, Goldstein continued to feel a lack of fulfillment. In October 2021, he stepped down as CEO of Integrity, becoming company president part-time, but the feeling persisted. He eventually sold his remaining shares in Integrity to Matrix and now dedicates most of his time to his spiritual ventures. His "Mas'a Adam Ve'adama" initiative offers a seven-weekend program combining nature treks across Israel with spiritual exploration, aiming to help participants find greater wholeness and purpose. He emphasizes that this transition was a gradual process that began 18 years ago with studies in various spiritual disciplines, including Yemima, Kabbalah, and Shamanism, seeking personal growth and well-being.
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