A Journey Without a Finish Line: Raanan Cohen on Passion, Failures, Companies, Writing, and Rebirth

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This episode opens a window into the world of Raanan Cohen, a serial entrepreneur and author who masterfully conveys the complexities of entrepreneurship. In a deeply personal and insightful conversation, Raanan shares his journey—from the challenging beginnings, through the peaks of success, to the moments of crisis and the growth that followed.

Raanan doesn't shy away from discussing sensitive topics like the feeling of failure, managing complex relationships, and even the fear that his debut book might not find its audience. "Entrepreneurship is like an ultra-marathon," he says. "You're embarking on a journey where it's not always clear if there's a finish line, and you have to believe in yourself even when everything around you is changing."

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Endless Entrepreneurship: Passion as a Driving Force

Raanan describes entrepreneurship as a game without clear rules. "There’s no playbook for a startup," he explains. "You set out with passion and belief, but even if you do everything right, you might not end up where you hoped."

He likens this feeling to a long run, where breaking points are inevitable, no matter how well-prepared you are. "In a marathon, there’s a finish line, but in a startup, you don’t even know if it exists," he says. This uncertainty, he explains, is what drives him—the desire to keep going despite it all, to discover what else is possible.

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Relationships as the Key to Entrepreneurship

If there’s one thing Raanan has learned over the years, it’s that entrepreneurship isn’t just about vision and numbers—it’s about people. "It’s all about relationships," he says. "With your partners, investors, employees—and most importantly, with yourself."

He highlights the sensitivity required in navigating complex relationships, especially within a boardroom. "The board is a microcosm of relationships," he shares. "Sometimes there are tensions among the investors themselves, and sometimes between them and the CEO. Knowing how to mediate, bridge gaps, and maintain open dialogue—that’s an art form in itself."

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Processing Emotions and Moving Forward

Raanan speaks candidly about the deep emotions that arise in the entrepreneurial journey—jealousy, anger, disappointment, and even loneliness. "Entrepreneurship is as much an emotional journey as it is a professional one," he explains. "You have to deal with feelings of failure, with criticism from outside and within, and sometimes even guilt toward your family."

He shares tools he’s found along the way, such as morning runs that help him "clear his head" and cope with these feelings. "It’s not that the problems disappear, but their weight feels balanced, and suddenly you gain a different perspective," he says. "Everyone needs to find their way to unload—whether it’s through sports, coaching, or even writing."

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Crisis Management and Believing in Yourself

Raanan reflects on his first major crisis, when the company he founded closed after its technology became irrelevant. He speaks openly about the guilt he felt, especially toward his family. "I could have sold shares for millions of dollars and secured our future," he shares. "But I chose to believe the company would reach a higher valuation. It didn’t happen, and it felt like I shot myself in the foot."

Despite this, he explains how he managed to rise and move forward, adopting a mindset of "full responsibility." "There’s no one to blame," he says. "If I’m responsible for the success, I’m also responsible for the failure. And that’s what gives me the strength to start over."

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New Passions and a Look to the Future

Today, Raanan finds himself in a completely different place. After years of entrepreneurial work, he discovered writing, and his debut book, “Just a Little More and That’s Enough”, has become a surprising success. "At 50, I found something new that excites me," he says. "It opened the door to a whole new world of creativity and new people."

He concludes with an especially optimistic message: "You can always find new passions, even after experiencing it all. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about founding startups—it’s about living with passion, taking responsibility, and continuing to grow—at every stage of life."

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