Noah Agamani says when she was held hostage by Hamas, she never doubted she would make it home alive.
Speaking with Editor-in-Chief Jamie Heller at Business Insider’s “The Long Play” event on Thursday, she said that optimism remains unwavering, even though two of her friends died in captivity and she regularly hears rockets and bombs exploding.
“I was alone in a small room,” Agamani said.
She said she finds things to be grateful for in the smallest comforts, such as half a liter of water, a sock or a blanket.
“I’m grateful for everything I had at that moment,” Agamani said. He was kidnapped during an Israeli attack on October 7, 2023, and was rescued after 246 days in captivity.
Optimism, she says, has become a defining factor in her life in the world. Every morning, she would say, “I’m going to look at the cards in my hand and play them to the best of my ability.”
Agamani said she has reflected on her special skills and resources and how they align with her goals. Over the past few years, she said, she has improved her English and public speaking skills, taking to the global stage to advocate for the release of other Israeli hostages and sharing her own experiences.
When she was taken hostage, Agamani was in her third year of college studying artificial intelligence. Her idea was to become a software engineer or eventually a founder. While in captivity, Agamani told herself that she loved her life and would finish her studies when she returned home.
But a lot changed after that, she said.
After her internship this year, she joined the venture capital company Vine Ventures as the head of the platform. The company supports early-stage startups with a focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and Defense Technology. She now works with Israeli founders and companies with the goal of helping them expand globally and strengthen Israel’s security through economic success.
Argamani said she still has a lot to learn about venture capital. She joined Vine in part because of her relationship with Vine founder and managing partner Eric Reiner, who helped her advocate for the release of the remaining hostages.
For now, she said, she sees the role as an opportunity for her to grow her career and help the country.
“Now I have the opportunity to be on this stage and talk about all the things I’ve been through and how I want to build the future,” Agamani said.