Izhar Shay is a High-Tech Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist and Former Minister of Science and Technology. Izhar Shay was a parliament member at the Knesset between 2019 - 2021, and served as the Minister of Science and Technology in the Israeli government, where he was also a member of the Covid19 cabinet. Shay is a Venture Partner with Disruptive AI, an early stage deep-tech VC focused on AI investments. He is actively involved with a number of innovative tech companies as an advisor, board member and mentor for CEOs and entrepreneurs. Shay serves on the investment committee of Iron Nation and on the technology investment committee of Phoenix Financial (one of Israel’s largest financial holdings and investments groups). A graduate of the Technion (Haifa, Israel), Izhar Shay has accumulated over 30 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur and a venture capital investor. As CEO, he managed two technology venture backed companies towards successful exits (Business Layers, V-Secure) and he was an investment professional (Venture Partner, General Partner) with Silicon Valley based Canaan Partners for a period of about 15 years. Following the falling of his son Yaron Oree (Noni) in a heroic battle while protecting the civilians of Kibbutz Kerem Shalom on October 7th, Izhar Shay co-founded the Next October initiative, which is set to launch and support an innovative Israeli start-up company for every victim of the war. Shay is involved in a number of initiatives that promote healing and unity within the Israeli society post the October 7th tragic disaster.