# Michael Matias

> Michael Matias is the co-founder and CEO of Clarity, a New York-based AI cybersecurity company building world-leading deepfake detection technology. A Stanford computer science graduate, Unit 8200 IDF veteran, and former partner at Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors, Matias has invested in 80+ deep-tech startups through Matias Ventures, hosted over 1,000 episodes of the 20MinuteLeaders podcast, authored the book 'Age Is Only an Int,' and written for leading Israeli financial newspapers. Clarity raised a $16M seed round in 2024 led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Walden Catalyst Ventures.

- **Role:** CEO & Co-Founder at Clarity
- **Organizations:** Clarity, Matias Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Israel Defense Forces Unit 8200, Tech2Peace, Make-A-Wish Israel, Zoé (non-profit)
- **From:** Israel
- **Nationality:** Israeli-American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (AI specialization), Stanford University
- **Known for:** Forbes Israel 18Under18 (2013), Forbes 30 Under 30, Goldman Sachs Entrepreneur of the Year 2023

## Career timeline

- **2013** — Named to Forbes Israel 18Under18 list
- **~2016-2019** — Served as Officer in IDF Unit 8200 (Elite Cyber Technological Unit); founded two AI teams that received the National Defense Prize
- **~2019-2022** — Studied Computer Science at Stanford University; began writing for leading Israeli financial newspaper
- **2020** — Launched 20MinuteLeaders podcast during COVID-19 lockdown; authored book 'Age Is Only an Int'
- **~2021-2022** — Joined Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors as venture fellow/partner, focused on deep learning and cybersecurity
- **~2021** — Led AI teams at Hippo Insurance
- **2022** — Co-founded Clarity with Gil Avriel and Natalie Fridman (later Ziv Isaiah as CTO)
- **2023** — Named Goldman Sachs Entrepreneur of the Year; Clarity worked with Israel's Ministry of Defense on October 7 media verification
- **2024-02** — Clarity raises $16M seed round led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Walden Catalyst Ventures
- **2024** — Named to Forbes 30 Under 30; Clarity serves news publishers, governments, identity verification providers, and enterprises

## Achievements

- Forbes Israel 18Under18 (2013)
- Forbes 30 Under 30
- Goldman Sachs Entrepreneur of the Year 2023
- IDF National Defense Prize (twice) for founding AI teams in Unit 8200
- 8200 Cybersecurity Award
- 80+ angel investments through Matias Ventures with 3+ exits/acquisitions
- 1,000+ episodes of 20MinuteLeaders podcast
- Authored 'Age Is Only an Int: Lessons I Learned as a Young Entrepreneur'
- 150+ articles in a leading Israeli financial newspaper
- Led Clarity to $16M seed funding from Bessemer and Walden Catalyst
- Clarity deployed by Israel's Ministry of Defense on October 7 for media verification
- Founded Hacking Generation Y, a youth hacking program across three continents

## Latest updates

- **2024-02** — Clarity closes $16M seed round co-led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Walden Catalyst Ventures
- **2024-09** — Matias presents at Calcalist AI conference in Tel Aviv on the growing threat of AI deepfakes
- **2024** — Clarity expands to serve enterprise workflows for hiring fraud detection, brand protection, and government intelligence use cases
- **2023** — Named Goldman Sachs Entrepreneur of the Year; Clarity works with Israel's Ministry of Defense post-October 7

## Links

- Website: https://michaelmatias.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/matiasmichael
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/_matiasmichael

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-matias
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-13