Shlomo is a Co-founder of the Viola Group, and a Co-founder and General Partner at Viola Ventures. His investment interests include digital media, internet, e-commerce, automotive , semi and AI.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Shlomo began his career as a hi-tech entrepreneur, becoming CEO and Chairman of several leading high-tech companies including Oshap where he served as President & CEO (acquired in 1999 by SunGard $220M) and Tecnomatix, where he served as CEO and President from its inception and led its IPO on NASDAQ. Later he served as Chairman. Tecnomatix was acquired in 2004 by UGS for approximately $220M.

Shlomo has also served as:

• Chairman for ECI Telecom – led ECI’s strategic turnaround from 2002-2007, leading to its acquisition in 2007 for $1.25 billion
• Board member of Wanova (acquired by VMware in May 2012)
• Chairman of the board of Redbend (acquired by Harman in January 2015)
• Chairman of the Board of eXelate (acquired by Nielsen in February 2015)

In addition to his highly successful business career, Shlomo is actively involved in numerous philanthropic and public organizations and initiatives in the areas of social and economic development, education, entrepreneurship and Democracy.

FROM OUR BLOG

Valuable insights for entrepreneurs from Shlomo Dovrat, Co-founder of Viola Group & Viola Ventures

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SHLOMO

He is passionate about transformative tech companies and loves entrepreneurs that think big: “I invest across all technology areas but these days I focus on what we call frontier technologies, where technology is used to transform industries like manufacturing, Automotive and many others that are just beginning to benefit from the technology revolution.”

He loves to travel and explore the world: “I am an avid sailor and a passionate scuba diver. I had the pleasure of swimming and diving with whales, sharks (real ones! J) and other wonderful creatures of the sea.”

Over the last 25 years he has devoted a lot of his time and resources to social issues that relate to Israel and the type of country he would like it to develop into. “I am involved in Israel’s education and economic policy, trying to help to create an open society that offers true social mobility. I am highly involved in Think Tanks such as The Aaron Institute for Economic Policy (named after my late father). I am also a co-founder of Pnima – a non-partisan, cross community organization aspiring to create a cross tribal civic coalition that will form a new agenda for Israel across identity, social, political and economic issues.”

He grew up in a very active Zionist and intellectual family in Jerusalem: “My father who immigrated to Israel from Argentina had a very successful business career and has been a pillar in building the modern Israeli economy. He was a mentor, a partner and a close friend.”

His tips to entrepreneurs about his investment strategy: “I like entrepreneurs who have a grand vision and the ability to lay out a product and business road map that can lead them there. Having said that, large revolutions start with small steps, it’s also important to understand what they want to achieve in the near future.”

He is more accessible than many people think: “While it’s true that I’m a busy person, there is nothing more important to me than meeting with entrepreneurs.”