Colleagues and former business partners are identifying the two victims of a fatal plane crash Saturday in Truckee as Liron and Naomi Petrushka.“They brought their entrepreneurial spirit and generosity to our fund, working with us and our founders on many pivotal milestones,” an UpWest spokesperson wrote on social media Sunday. “Their home was always open as were their big hearts. We are all heartbroken by this loss.”The update states Liron Petrushka joined UpWest in 2012. The company funds and fast-tracks Israeli startups entering into the US market, according to its LinkedIn page.“He has the pure intention of supporting the startup. He was a very founder-friendly investor,” said Iddo Tal, an entrepreneur based in Palo Alto. Tal shared that Petrushka was one of the first investors of his former company, Invi. “It’s really very amazing to see an entrepreneur — a very successful, a very successful investor – hands-on, mentor you, support you,” Tal said. “ a very humble, great human being.”Tal recalled flying with Petrushka in his airplane over San Francisco, recalling how much he loved to fly and how much fun he was. “It’s a big loss for us in the community in the Silicon Valley,” Tal said. “It’s big shoes to fill up and I hope all of us will just keep supporting the next generation of founders like he did.”The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. Officials said the single-engine plane crashed on Union Pacific Rail property, south of Glenshire Drive, between the rail line and Truckee River. The NTSB is asking anyone with surveillance video to contact investigators.“ such an inspiring guy,” Tal said. “I hope he rests in peace.”The couple leaves behind three sons.
Colleagues and former business partners are identifying the two victims of a fatal plane crash Saturday in Truckee as Liron and Naomi Petrushka.
“They brought their entrepreneurial spirit and generosity to our fund, working with us and our founders on many pivotal milestones,” an UpWest spokesperson wrote on social media Sunday. “Their home was always open as were their big hearts. We are all heartbroken by this loss.”
The update states Liron Petrushka joined UpWest in 2012. The company funds and fast-tracks Israeli startups entering into the US market, according to its LinkedIn page.
“He has the pure intention of supporting the startup. He was a very founder-friendly investor,” said Iddo Tal, an entrepreneur based in Palo Alto.
Tal shared that Petrushka was one of the first investors of his former company, Invi.
“It’s really very amazing to see an entrepreneur — a very successful, a very successful investor – hands-on, mentor you, support you,” Tal said. “[He was] a very humble, great human being.”
Tal recalled flying with Petrushka in his airplane over San Francisco, recalling how much he loved to fly and how much fun he was.
“It’s a big loss for us in the community in the Silicon Valley,” Tal said. “It’s big shoes to fill up and I hope all of us will just keep supporting the next generation of founders like he did.”
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. Officials said the single-engine plane crashed on Union Pacific Rail property, south of Glenshire Drive, between the rail line and Truckee River.
The NTSB is asking anyone with surveillance video to contact investigators.
“[He was] such an inspiring guy,” Tal said. “I hope he rests in peace.”
The couple leaves behind three sons.
