INNOVATECH2018

Yuval Diskin

Chairman CyMotive & former head of Israel Security Agency

Diskin has extensive experience working in security. As Head of the Israel Security Agency (ISA), he had overall responsibility for a range of areas, including intelligence, personnel protection, protecting and defending against terrorism, domestic terrorism, counter-intelligence, national security and politics, protecting state secrets and the nation’s critical assets. Today he serves as CyMotive's chairman – Cyber Security software and hardware products, solutions and exclusive services for the Connected Car / Self Driving Car

Christian Peugeot

CEO, LFPF, Director of Brand Strategy, Automobiles Peugeot

Christian Peugeot graduated from HEC Paris Business School, he has spent his professional life in PSA Group starting 1978, in various positions: HR Director of Malakoff local branch, Director of Normandy region, General Director of PSA Germany (1989), Marketing Director of Peugeot brand (1993), Communication and Strategy Director (2006), Head of Marketing for the group (2009), Director for Public Affairs (2012).

Since 1st January 2016, he is President of CCFA, Comité des Constructeurs Français d’Automobiles, the association of French manufacturers that defends the interests of Renault Group, PSA Group and Renault Trucks.

Amongst other mandates, Christian Peugeot is also President of UNIFAB, the French association against counterfeiting de mon iPhone.

Ofer Ben-Noon

Co-Founder & CEO, Argus

Argus, the global leader in automotive cyber security, provides comprehensive and proven solution suites to protect connected cars and commercial vehicles against cyber-attacks. With decades of experience in both cyber security and the automotive industry, Argus offers innovative security methods and proven computer networking know-how with a deep understanding of automotive best practices. Argus acquired by German car maker Continental on November 2017 for an estimated value of US$450 million.

Omer Keilaf

CEO and Co-Founder, Innoviz Technologies

Innoviz is a leading provider of cutting-edge LiDAR remote sensing solutions to enable the mass commercialization of autonomous vehicles. The company’s LiDAR products deliver superior performance at the cost and size required for mass market adoption. Innoviz is backed by strategic partners and top-tier investors including Aptiv (Delphi Automotive), Magna International, Samsung Catalyst, SoftBank Ventures Korea, 360 Capital Partners, Glory Ventures, Naver and others.

Zohar Zisapel

Co-founder, RAD Data Communications

In 1982, Zohar Zisapel, together with his brother, Yehuda, founded

RAD Data Communications, and is regarded as one of the fathers of

Israeli hi-tech. In the course of 33 years, under the RAD Group umbrella, approximately 40 companies were established, of which eight underwent IPOs, 10 were sold and 10 closed. Four of these companies – Silicom, RADCOM, Radware, and Ceragon – are still traded on Nasdaq in the U.S. From 2009 Zohar started/invested in start-ups in the field of cyber security. Altogether seven cyber security start-ups have been established of which three were acquired. The cyber security operations of Microsoft and Continental are based on two of those start-ups and are centered in Israel. From 2014 Zohar started/invested in automotive technologies. Four start-ups were formed, one of which has already been acquired.

Before he founded RAD, Zohar served as the director of the Ministry of Defense’s electronic research department. In 1979, he was awarded the Israel Defense Prize. In 1994, he was presented with the Israel Export Award and was named Businessman of the Year. In 1996, he won the Hugo Ramniceanu Award for Economics, and in 2001 he was presented with an honorary doctorate by the Technion. In 2013 he was named an Honorary Colleague by the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. In 2018 Zohar received the Industry award for the 70th birthday of the State of Israel.

Zohar Zisapel holds  bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the Technion. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Tel Aviv University.

Dr. Michal Vakrat Wolkin

Managing Director, Lear Corporation, Israel

Dr. Michal is heading  Lear Corporation activities in Israel. She is responsible for investments, M&A and strategy with a focus on autonomous, connected,  and electric cars.   Lear is the largest tier 1 supplier in the USA & from the top 5 worldwide in electrical, electronics & seating.

Previously, Dr. Vakrat Wolkin was heading  R&D activities for several Fortune 150 corporation in both Silicon Valley & Tel Aviv including Xerox PARC, NASA , & 3M Israel.

She managed R&D groups as well as established innovation hubs while leading partnerships with startups and the local ecosystem around automotive and EV batteries, energy and IOT,  nanotechnology materials and devices, etc

Michal has a PhD in Applied Physics focused on Light Phenomena in quantum particles for electro-optical and computing applications and her research is widely cited.

Karina Odinaev

Co-Founder, Cortica

Cortica is a technology company developing AI capable of learning and reacting on its own. Cortica is the first AI company capable of human-level image understanding. Even the most advanced technology has never been able to understand the visual world as well as people do - until now. By leveraging proprietary brain research to create unsupervised AI, Cortica has developed the most effective computer vision system.

Jean-Claude Girot

General Commissary, Paris Motor Show

Born on August 2nd 1952, after following accounting and business studies, Jean-Claude GIROT began his career at the Finance department of Chrysler Europe. In 1981 he started his long business career first at Volvo France and, from 1986, at Renault Trucks (Volvo Group since 2001). He was Director of External Relations at Renault Trucks from 2010 to 2014 when he became the Director of Public Affairs of the Volvo Group France until March 31 2016.

Jean-Claude GIROT is the President of the AFGNV (the French non-profit organization of natural gas for vehicles).

7th Dan Kendo, former Captain of the French national team, then coach for the French teams, he has won the European Champion title 6 times and the French Champion title 9 times.

Jean-Claude GIROT is Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour and of the National Order of Merit.

Since the 1st June 2016, Jean-Claude GIROT is Executive Manager of the Mondial Paris Motor Show.

Stephane Lasfargue

Co-innovation and sustainable development senior manager, Renault Group

Stéphane Lasfargue has been with Renault company for more than 30 years. He is on Alliance Purchasing Organization Strategy, head of department co-innovation. He’s in charge to develop innovative partnerships with suppliers, start-ups, or research centers. He’s working 5 years before the start of production of a car, and he’s looking for affordable innovation for all. He is very involved in the development notably of Proof of concept with start-up and at the origin of the creation of the Tel-Aviv open lab.

Prior to that, Stéphane has done a lot of job in Renault on different automotive area:  Sustainable development, powertrain, vehicle program profitably, cost analysis, body in white.

Fiona Darmon

General Partner & COO, JVP

Fiona is an integral part of the leadership team at JVP, overseeing the firms ongoing operations including defining the groups’ strategy as well as leading the raising of numerous funds that have allowed JVP to continue building world class technology companies.

Haim Pinto

Chief Technology Officer, Bank Hapoalim

Nir Erez

Co-founder & CEO, Moovit

Moovit simplifies your urban mobility all around the world, making getting around town via mass transit easier and more convenient. Moovit is the world's largest transit data and analytics company with the #1 transit app in 80 countries and +2,200 cities around the world. By combining information from public transit operators and authorities with live information from the user community, Moovit offers it's +170 million users a real-time picture, including the best route for their journey.

Laurent des Places

Partner & Head of Automotive, KPMG France

Laurent des Places is a Global Lead Partner with knowledge and technical expertise in the automotive sector. He has more than 20 years of audit and advisory experience, serving KPMG’s global clients and leading international teams.

Laurent des Places has led audit engagements for a range of clients along the whole automotive value chain, and has taken Global Lead Audit Partner roles on the Renault and Valeo audits, bringing to his clients a deep understanding of OEMs and Auto components financial reporting issues, and the ability to deliver value and insights to management and audit committees locally and globally.

Laurent des Places has been a member of KPMG’s Global Automotive Steering Committee since 2006, contributing in this position to the development of emerging issues and thought leadership publications that impact the automotive industry.

Laurent has also significant experience in the A&D industry, bringing cross-sector value and insights.

Raviv Melamed

Co-Founder & CEO ,Vayyar

Vayyar develops leading-edge 3D imaging sensors, opening the world to a new generation of safe, mobile and low cost imaging devices. Our sensors look into objects using technology that breaks through known barriers and brings highly sophisticated imaging capabilities to your fingertips. Vayyar’s new 3D sensors provide a detailed look inside the car, including information about passengers.

Erez Lorber

COO, StoreDot

StoreDot develops fast-charging batteries for mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, as well as for electric vehicles. Their flash battery technology for lithium-ion batteries enables a charging time of five minutes. Six years after it was founded and before it launched a single product, Storedot is already valued at $500 million. The company raised $130 million to date from private investors Roman Abramovich and companies including Daimler AG, Samsung Ventures, Tokyo-headquartered TDK Corporation, and BP Ventures.

Pascal Cagni

CEO Business France

Pascal Cagni was appointed in September 2017, Chairman of the board at Business France and Ambassador for international investment by the Council of Ministers.

He is Founder and CEO at C4 Ventures, a leading European venture fund. Pascal Cagni is non-executive director at Kingfisher Plc (KGF.L), Banque Transatlantique

(CIC) and until recently at Vivendi SA (VIV.PA) and Style.com (Condé Nast). He is a strategic advisor to large private equity and Global groups to help management teams leverage the

opportunities created by the digital revolution. Hired into Apple by Steve Jobs, Pascal Cagni joined in 2000 as General Manager and Vice

President of Apple Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Before Apple, he played a key role at Packard Bell, establishing new R&D, manufacturing

facilities and operations, creating over 3,000 jobs in the Loire Valley. Pascal Cagni obtained an MA in Political Sciences from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris

(Sciences Po), an MA in Business Law from the Robert Schumann University in Strasburg and an MBA from HEC Paris. He graduated from the Executive Program (EPGC) at Stanford

University, CA, USA. He is a benefactor of the HEC Foundation and a member of the French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF). He was made a Knight of the French Order of Merit by Christine Lagarde.

Dror Jerushalmi

Co-Founder & CEO, Valens

Valens Semiconductor Ltd., a fabless chip company, provides semiconductor products for the distribution of uncompressed high-definition (HD) multimedia content. Valens' HDBaseT Automotive combines the best of alternative existing technologies into one, simple solution for in-vehicle connectivity, to address the needs of today’s & tomorrow’s connected cars.

François Robinet

Managing Director, AXA Strategic Ventures

Robinet is the go-to expert in financial innovation and risk management. His extensive knowledge, network and truly innovative mindset are a key component to detect, select and support portfolio companies, making the fund a unique strategic asset for startups. ENSAE graduate, holds a Ph.D. from CHEA and is a certified actuary.

Valérie Hoffenberg

PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, CONNECTING LEADERS CLUB

Serial Entrepreneur. Founded and built companies in US and internationally. Founder of Gett, a $640M funded company, operating in NYC, UK, Russia & Israel. Earlier spent 5 years in Silicon Valley. Founded Loyalize (acquired by Viggle [VGGL]). Previously, CEO of publicly traded Comverse - $300M record in total sales.

Michael Granoff

Founder & Managing Partner, Maniv Mobility

Maniv Mobility supports outstanding entrepreneurs digitizing transportation - through connectivity, data, software, sensors and automation. Our goal is to identify, invest in and give ongoing support to the companies bringing about a safer, cleaner, less expensive, more convenient, and more accessible transportation future.

Dr. Ami Appelbaum

Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy and Industry and Chairman of Israel Innovation Authority

Dr. Appelbaum has more than 36 years’ experience in research, development and senior level management in the field of the Semiconductor.

Prior to the current job as Chief Scientist, Dr. Appelbaum served for 22 years at numerous executive positions at KLA Tencor, $15.6B Market Cap and world leader in the business of capital equipment for the semiconductor industry based in the Silicon Valley, CA.

Dr. Ami Appelbaum recent job was Corporate Senior Vice President and president of KLA Tencor Israel.

Dr. Appelbaum also held jobs as General Manager of a startup by the name Gallium Arsenide Diodes (GAD), in Israel. VP Operations and Program Manager at Semiconductor Devices (SCD) in Israel, manager of semiconductor lasers and detector development at Rockwell International in Richardson Texas and Newbury Park California and Member of Technical Staff (MTS) at AT&T Bell Lab in Murray Hill New Jersey (US).

Bruno Fernandez-Ruiz

Co-Founder & CTO Nexar

Nexar develops software to protect the user and their business against car crashes and road casualties. Nexar connects cars in an open vehicle-to-vehicle network, and provides real-time alerts to prevent vehicle, cyclist, and pedestrian collisions. Leveraging millions of crowdsourced road miles jointed with sensor-fusion, deep-learning, map-layering and artificial intelligence driving-cognition technologies, Nexar provides a series of data products and services for the automotive, insurance, and mapping industries.

Sigalit Klimovsky

Partner, Grove Ventures

Sigalit is a serial global business architect, from strategy formation and marketing through business development and operations.

She brings to Grove over 20 years of global experience in setting the foundation for start-ups and transforming them to large and successful companies. Sigalit’s experience covers all corporate aspects including operations, customer services, technology infrastructure, business systems,  marketing and business development in the Telecommunications, Mobile, New Media, Consumer Electronics, Financial and Technology sectors.

Sigalit fulfilled key executive roles during the establishment and growth periods of Orange Australia, 3 Hutchinson Wampoa (Australian mobile operator), Partner Communications Ltd. (Israeli mobile operator), Barak Telecommunications (Israeli ISP) and IBM. She has also held business development and marketing C-Level roles at venture backed start-ups such as modu and Comigo.

Gil Brandes

Partner, Head of High Tech practice, Naschitz Brandes Amir

Gil Brandes’ practice specializes in high-tech, venture capital transactions, corporate law, commercial transactions and securities law.

Mr. Brandes has acquired extensive legal and business experience assisting hi-tech companies in all phases, from incorporation through seed funding and eventually to exit transactions (including mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and others). He is also well-qualified to advise high-tech companies (including those from the life sciences field) in various aspects of their day-to-day business.

In addition, Mr. Brandes has extensive experience advising clients in complex litigation matters.

Mr. Brandes has been noted by both Chambers and Legal500 as a leading lawyer in the hi-tech practice of the firm "which is recommended for its valuable service and knowledgeable lawyers". Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Brandes completed his internship with the Tel-Aviv law firm of Yigal Arnon & Co. and worked in the New York offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Hagai Zyss

Co-Founder & CEO, AutoTalks

Autotalks is a smart car company that specializes in vehicle to vehicle communications in autonomous driving. Autotalks enables the vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication revolution by providing OEMs, Tier1 and Tier2s comprehensive, automotive and commercial grade, standard-compliant V2X VLSI solutions at the highest performance and reliability.

Amos Haggiag

Co-Founder & CEO, Optibus

Optibus leverages the power of machine-learning and optimization algorithms to redefine the way mass-transportation is planned and operated. Optibus’ disruptive technology drive some of the most complex transportation operations worldwide, helping to improve the quality of service, increase efficiencies, save money, and streamline operations.

Ben Volkow

Co-Founder & CEO, Otonomo

As founder and CEO of three successful companies, Ben brings an extensive track record and rich entrepreneurial experience. Prior to founding Otonomo in 2015, Ben served for four years as a Business Unit General Manager at F5 Networks (NASDAQ:FFIV), which he joined after the acquisition of Traffix, where he was Co-Founder and as CEO. As the founder and CEO of Traffix, Ben has built a multi-million-dollar global business, working with partners and tier-1 service providers around the world. Before founding Traffix, Ben managed R&D groups in Sendo (UK), which provided advanced mobile data solutions. Prior to Sendo Ben has filled various roles in Panasonic Mobile Communications (UK), which included building their first European market products. Ben was also Co-founder of VC-backed Sedona Networks, a provider of advanced network solutions.

Hadar Zeitlin

Co-Founder & Chief Business Development Officer, Hailo Technologies

Hadar served as the first Product Manager at Via Transportation, a smart-mobility startup where she was responsible for multiple core products across a variety of disciplines including: algorithms, backend, and frontend.

Hadar served for a decade in the IDF Intelligence’s elite Technology Unit, performing a wide range of technological roles where she gained experience in hardware engineering,  logic design, system engineering and team leadership. During this period, Hadar served as Chief Architect in a project that involved over 50 engineers. As Project Manager, Hadar led the Unit's flagship R&D project that developed groundbreaking technology for which she was recognized with The General Chief of Staff Award for Technological Excellence.

Pinchas Buchris

Managing Partner, State of Minds ventures & Former head of 8200 Unit

Pinhas is a recognised leader in the development of Israel’s military intelligence, cyber and technology capabilities (Ret. Brig. General) and an experienced investor. He was Managing Director of the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Commander of a classified technology unit, and Head of the prestigious 8200 division - Israel’s signal processing intelligence unit - where he initiated many of Israel’s cyber programs. Pinhas was a Partner with Apax Partners and served as a mentor to several successful cyber technology startups.

Yoav Levy

Co-Founder & CEO Upstream Security

Yoav has over 17 years of experience with multi-national high-tech companies and start-ups. He brings rich leadership experience in management, marketing and business development of IT and security products spanning over a dozen years of experience in category leading vendors Check Point, Juniper Networks and Broadcom.

Lior Sethon

VP & Deputy GM, Mobileye Aftermarket

Lior Sethon is the Deputy General Manager for the Aftermarket Division at Mobileye, an Intel Company, where his vision is to reduce collisions and improve road safety around the world.  For over a decade, he has held leadership positions in sales and marketing, including CEO at SN Management Services Ltd. Since 2014, Sethon has helped to lead Mobileye's aftermarket strategy in new directions, presenting the company and its activities at multiple conferences and trade shows to policymakers, influencers, and decision-makers.

Orit Shifman

Chairman of the Board & Group CEO, OSR Enterprises

Orit Shifman is founder, Group CEO & Chairman of the Board of OSR Enterprises AG, a Swiss-based Automotive Tier1.

Orit is an attorney-at-law with additional studies in computer science & statistics, but at heart, she is an entrepreneur, leveraging her experience and vision to spearhead technologies for the new era of mobility.

Orit and her team developed the EVOLVER platform, a multi-domain AI vehicular brain which is the core of next-generation automotive innovation.

Arik Kleinstein

Co-founder & Managing Partner, Glilot Capital

For over 25 years Arik has been founding, growing and financing innovative technology companies. He co-founded Glilot Capital with the intention of bringing his vast experience gained from the early days of the Israeli startup industry to the investment decisions and ongoing support of the Glilot portfolio. As a board member, Arik supported the five portfolio companies of Glilot which were acquired since the fund’s inception.

Ziva Eger

Chief Executive at Foreign Investments and Industrial Cooperation, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Israel

Ziva Eger has been serving as Chief Executive of the Foreign Investment and Industrial Cooperation Authority at the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry since October 2014. Eger, a retired IDF Colonel, received her BA and MA in Economics (with honors) from Tel Aviv University, an MA in Political Science from Haifa University, and another BA from the National Security College operated by the IDF. In the two years preceding this position, Ziva served as Chief of Staff of the Communication and Home Front Defense offices lead by Minister Gilad Erdan, where she was in charge of the promotion and execution of comprehensive reforms in the local communication market.

Amit Nisenbaum

CEO, Mobiwize

Amit Nisenbaum is a seasoned business leader with 20+ years’ experience in the Automotive, Energy and Software industries.

In the past Mr. Nisenbaum led Strategic Alliances for Better Place Inc., served as a project leader at the Boston Consulting Group and held senior Business Development and Product Management positions at ECTel as well as FAST Search and Transfer (acquired by Microsoft).

Amit holds a B.sc in Computer Science from the Technion and earned his MBA from Cornell University.

Dina Pasca-Raz

Partner, Head of Tax Technology, KPMG

Dina joined the firm’s tax department in 1999, following over three years of experience at one of Israel’s leading law firms, first as an intern and then as an attorney. In 2003, Dina was brought on to be an international tax manager at KPMG specializing in the provision of tax advisory services to some of the firm’s largest and most important clients with respect to cross border transactions.

In 2008, Dina was appointed to be a partner in international tax and in that role has continued, until today, to provide advisory services to both multi-national Israeli and foreign clients wishing to navigate the complicated waters of cross border taxation in the technology sector.

To that end, in October 2013, Dina was appointed Head of Tax and Transfer Pricing and is currently leading the practice and continues to provide quality and current advisory services to technology sector clients in all stages of their development. Dina’s experience enables her to provide quality service to start-up, growth stage, and mature clients alike, as they develop their markets worldwide.

Gal Aharon

Co-founder & CMO, Engie

Engie is a connected car maintenance solution for every car on the road.

Engie's technology provides fault diagnostics and maintenance information in a simple way, to make car repairs easy and efficient

With Engie's solution, cars are connected to all the service providers, allowing the future autonomous fleets to be simply and automatically maintained, electric cars remotely diagnosed and all car services accessed in a seamless and transparent way.

Philippe Guez

Founder and CEO of GuezPartners

Following his studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Philippe started his career as an Investment banker in France in 1986. He held positions as Managing Director of Deutsche Bank , Head of Global Banking Division in France, Managing Director of Rothschild & Cie and Vice Chairman of Rothschild & Cie Israel. Philippe has been involved in hundreds of transactions in Equity Capital Markets and Cross Border M&A transactions in Europe and in Israel. Philippe founded Guez Partners in 2017 with the aim to provide value added advise on cross borders Israeli related transactions. Philippe is Chairman of the French Israel commission of the French Business confederation (MEDEF ) and a board member of the French Israel Chamber of commerce (CCFI).

Gideon Shmuel

CEO, eyeSight

Gideon joined eyesight with over 20 Years of knowledge and experience in the Telecom and Enterprise Software markets, presenting an impressive track record in sales and enterprise development. Gideon has been involved in delivering complex solutions in growing technology organizations as well as running and establishing the business activities and operations of several companies across international markets. Most recently Gideon performed the role of VP Sales at cVidya Networks. Prior to that Gideon held a number of executive roles, in a number of countries, including Olista, Top Image Systems, LCR Telecom and Esprit Telecom.

Jean Marie-Letort

VP for the Cybersecurity & Technology, Thales Group

Jean-Marie Letort is Vice President in charge of cybersecurity consulting and operations activities for the Thales Group worldwide. Previously, he served as Vice President Strategy and Marketing for the Thales Group Cybersecurity Division. Thales has developed strong expertise on cybersecurity for connected and autonomous vehicles based on its knowledge of embedded technology in Aerospace and its technological investment for Automotive and Transportation. Jean-Marie worked in closed collaboration with major OEMs to make sure the future of mobility will be cybersecured.

Kobi Marenko

Co-founder & CEO, Arbe Robotics

Kobi is a successful entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in leading technology and media startups from seed stage to acquisition. Prior to founding Arbe Robotics, Kobi was the Founder and President of Taptica, a mobile DSP acquired by Marimedia, and Founder and CEO of Logia, a mobile content platform acquired by Mandalay Digital. At Arbe Robotics, Kobi and the team work toward making autonomous driving a reality, developing their proprietary imaging radar to provide real-time 4D mapping in high resolution. As the winner of the “Most Innovative ADAS Technology” award from Tech.AD as well as the TechCrunch Disrupt Tel Aviv Contest, Arbe Robotics continues to innovate and be at the top of the real time 4D mapping game.

Yossi Vardi

Co-Founder and CEO, SafeRide Technologies Ltd

Yossi Vardi is a seasoned business development executive and entrepreneur. Prior to founding SafeRide, Yossi held senior executive positions on various public companies, including A10 and Radware where he was in charge of driving business development strategy by crafting strategic partnerships with leading Carrier and Enterprise corporations to achieve business scale.

Ayelet Givol-Gurman

Co-Founder, Connecting Leaders Business Club

Itay Rand

Partner, Founders Group