About us

The Story of the ChickenLlama (aka Lama)

The ChickenLlama started out CloudLock days as a sketch - a playful doodle by our partner, Ron, during a customer call. He was trying to draw a dinosaur to make a point, but what came out on the board looked more like… well, a chicken crossed with a llama.

What began as a funny accident quickly became something more. The Chicken Llama turned into a symbol for us, appearing on t-shirts, magnets, and even our website. But beyond the humour, it carried a deeper meaning.
The Chicken Llama is a reminder of choice. Businesses can cling to the past and risk extinction, or they can embrace change, adapt, and evolve to capture the opportunities the future holds.

For us, the Chicken Llama represents creativity, resilience, and transformation - values at the heart of how we work with our customers and how we build for the future.
And now, at Lama Partners, we’re bringing the Chicken Llama back to life - as a symbol of the spirit we carry forward: bold, a little unconventional, and always evolving.

Based across Tel Aviv and Boston, we are connecting the best in breed founders to the US market helping teams avoid mistakes that we took in our journey as operators.

Meet the TEAM.

We’ve built, scaled, and sold breakout companies in the US and Israel, and we’re in your corner every step of the way.

Gil Zimmerman

Founding Partner

Name's Superpower:

Entrepreneurship has always been a part of me. I’ve built companies from the ground up, scaling them to hundreds of millions in ARR, and I enjoy helping founders take their own journeys further. Outside of work, I love exploring with my family and spending time on the water or the slopes.

Ron Zalkind

Founding Partner

Name's Superpower:

I’ve spent my career starting and growing companies in cybersecurity and SaaS, and today my focus is on supporting founders as they shape their next chapters. Life outside the office is just as important—I’m happiest playing tennis, skiing, or diving into new technology.

Tsahy Shapsa

Founding Partner

Name's Superpower:

I enjoy working with founders as they turn ideas into companies, guiding them through milestones like product-market fit and early revenues. Strong, genuine relationships are at the center of how I work. Beyond that, I spend my time with family, surfing, sailing, and with my Vizsla.

Roy Katzenelson

Partner

Name's Superpower:

I love partnering with founders at the earliest stages, helping them navigate big technical challenges and build momentum toward their goals. My approach combines technical depth with a drive to keep things moving forward. When I’m not working, I’m usually exploring food, wine, waves, or snow.

Michal Krymolowsky Junio

Head of Operations

Name's Superpower:

I’m passionate about helping teams move quickly and with confidence. My background as a professional athlete and in operations across HR, finance, and strategy has shaped how I drive clarity and accountability. Outside of work, I stay active and competitive—on the court or in new adventures.