Ziv Aviram

Ziv Aviram is an Israeli entrepreneur and business executive renowned for co-founding and leading several groundbreaking technology companies. He is best known as the co-founder, former President, and CEO of Mobileye, a pioneer in advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous vehicle technology, and as the co-founder of OrCam Technologies, which develops assistive technology for the visually impaired. Aviram's career is marked by a focus on computer vision and artificial intelligence applications that address significant societal challenges, leading to major commercial successes and industry recognition.

Early life and education

Ziv Aviram was born in 1957 in Israel. He completed his mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces, an experience common to many Israeli entrepreneurs. Following his military service, Aviram pursued higher education at Tel Aviv University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His academic background provided a foundation for his future ventures in the high-tech sector, which would become a central pillar of the Israeli economy.

Career

Aviram's early career involved roles in sales, marketing, and general management within the Israeli technology landscape. He held a position at Scitex Corporation Ltd., a major player in the digital printing industry. This experience in a globally oriented technology company honed his business acumen before he embarked on his entrepreneurial path. His pivotal career shift came with the founding of Mobileye in 1999 alongside Amnon Shashua, a professor from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Aviram served as the company's President and CEO, guiding its strategy and growth for nearly two decades.

Business ventures

Aviram's primary business venture was Mobileye, which developed computer vision system-on-chip technology and software algorithms for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Under his leadership, the company forged critical partnerships with major global automotive manufacturers like General Motors, BMW, and Volkswagen Group. Mobileye's success culminated in its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014, followed by its acquisition by Intel in 2017 for approximately $15.3 billion, one of the largest deals in Israeli technology history. Concurrently, Aviram co-founded OrCam Technologies with Amnon Shashua, serving as its CEO. OrCam creates wearable assistive technology devices, such as the OrCam MyEye, which uses artificial intelligence to assist people who are blind or have low vision by reading text and identifying products. He has also been involved with other startups, including IDC Herzliya-affiliated ventures and has served on the board of Innoviz Technologies, a developer of LiDAR for autonomous vehicles.

Awards and recognition

For his entrepreneurial achievements, Ziv Aviram has received significant accolades. He and Amnon Shashua were jointly awarded the prestigious Israel Prize in Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation in 2017, a top national honor. The Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Award also recognized his contributions. His work with OrCam Technologies earned the company the CES Innovation Award. These honors reflect his impact on both the Israeli tech ecosystem and global innovation in automotive technology and assistive technology.

Personal life

Ziv Aviram maintains a relatively private personal life. He is married and has children. Residing in Israel, he is known to be an avid art collector, with a particular interest in contemporary Israeli art. Beyond his business pursuits, Aviram is involved in philanthropy, supporting educational and cultural initiatives within Israel, contributing to the community that fostered his own career.

Category:Israeli businesspeople Category:Israeli technology company founders Category:1957 births Category:Living people