Lightspeed Ventures today held a conference on consumer technologies in Israel. 60 Israeli companies work in this field, not including Internet companies, which use a different model. Lightspeed believes that the sector has great potential.
Yamaha managing director Hirokazu Kato was one of the prominent guests at the conference. He is responsible for the company’s technology vision, covering IT, audio, and semiconductor design, as well as the company’s R&D center.
Kato arrived in Israel with a delegation of engineers in order to learn more about Israeli start-up Audio Pixels Ltd., which is developing innovative digital speakers. Although he declined to meet with the media, sources inform ''Globes'' that he met with executives from a number of start-ups.
Lightspeed Ventures partner Yoni Cheifetz said that the venture capital firm wants to create an “ecosystem” for companies developing technology products for consumers. “Lightspeed invests in IT and cleantech companies worldwide. Basically, it invests in every field that isn't pharmaceuticals and medical devices. It is a major achievement when an executive of Kato’s caliber comes to meet with small Israeli companies.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on September 2, 2007
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2007