Oxford Investment Club, ManSoc, OUIFS, Oxford Entrepreneurs, E&M Society and the Oxford Israeli Cultural Society present:
The Pioneers of Today: Israeli Business & Entrepreneurship
Panelists: Dr Abe Peled, CEO of NDS Group; Ze'ev Holtzman, CEO of Giza Venture Capital
Chair: Colin Green, Chairman, Hermes Group Pension Scheme
"Israel is like a bit of Silicon Valley." - Bill Gates
While 60 years ago the challenge for Israel was to build a state from scratch, today it is an economic one and its pioneers are its entrepreneurs, scientists and businesspeople. With venture capital firms investment growing by 8.5% ($1.76 billion, in 2007), Israel has the second highest number of start-ups outside Silicon Valley and is considered a vital "incubator" for new technology companies to form before they are taken over by larger conglomerates.
This talk by two of Israel's most successful businessmen will look at their own secrets of success and address what entrepreneurs in other countries may learn from the examples of their Israeli counterparts. Followed by a drinks reception.
Dr. Abe Peled set up and launched Israel's first Internet Service Provider, after which he became Chairman and CEO of NDS Group. Its clients include DirecTV, BSkyB, CanalSat and SkyItalia, and during his tenure, he has expanded the company 15-fold bringing it to its current position of holding 35% of the global market for digital pay-TV. www.nds.com
Ze'ev Holtzman is the Founder and Chairman of Giza Venture Capital. Giza was founded in 1992 and is one of the pioneer funds in Israel. It manages over $500 million, currently raising its 5th fund. Mr. Holtzman has over 30 years of experience in investment banking and venture capital. Prior to founding Giza, he was Executive Vice President at Leumi & Company Investment Bankers Ltd. Israel and also worked at the Lehman Brothers' corporate finance department in New York. Mr. Holtzman is also a founding member of the Israel Venture Association (IVA), an organization which has significantly impacted on Israel's high-tech industry growth. www.gizavc.com
Chairperson: Colin Green was Commercial Director and Company Secretary of BT Group plc, Chairman of BT Spain and Senior Board member of ECI Telecom, one of Israeli's largest Hi-Tech global companies. He is currently Chairman of the Hermes Group Pension Scheme, Green Aid, Shalom Nursery Ltd, a Trustee of Nightingale House and a voluntary adviser for the Citizen's Advice Bureau. www.hermes.co.uk
Details
Thursday May 1st (Week 2)
8pm - 10pm
Lecture Theatre 4
Said Business School
click to see facebook event
Sponsors
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