Jonathan Medved, one of the leading figures in Israel’s high-tech boom and the scheduled keynote speaker for the upcoming local American-Israel chamber’s annual awards gala, recently stepped down as the CEO of Delaware-based Vringo Inc. following a successful merger with another firm.
Mr. Medved co-founded Vringo in 2006 to develop a software platform for mobile social video services. It is the latest in a string of his successful ventures.
The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce Southeast Region’s 11th annual Eagle Star Awards Gala is to be held from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, at the Westin Perimeter North Hotel, 7 Concourse Parkway.
Born to a Jewish family in the U.S., Mr. Medved moved to Israel in 1981 where he launched in the mid-1990s the first major Israeli venture capital fund.
He is featured prominently in the best selling book “Start-Up Nation,” in which he describes reasons behind Israel’s high tech boom including Israelis’ risk tolerance and lack of fear of failure.
In addition, he cited Israel’s immigrant culture, its informality and openness and military service.
The ceremony also is to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the chamber with special recognition going to North Carolina attorney Robert Deutsch, who receives the Chamber Founders Award and the Community Partner Award.
Awards are presented in two categories.
The first is for an Israeli company of the year with a base in the Southeast. Finalists for this award are Alpha Omega, Nazareth-Illit-based supplier of medical devices for neurosurgery; Amiad Water Systems Ltd., Galil Elyon-based supplier of filtration and water treatment equipment and Shalag Industries Ltd., Upper Galilee-based textile manufacturer specializing in hygienic markets.
Finalists for the the cross-border deal entailing collaborations are ARRIS Group, Inc. and Big Band Networks, Inc.; IDEA Bio-medical Ltd. and Medical University of South Carolina and Procter & Gamble and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.
The cost for an individual ticket is $95 and to reserve a table is $1,000. For more information about the gala, call Shelley at 404-843-9426. The chamber’s website may be found here.