Dov Moran invented the USB flash drive at M-Systems, sold the company to SanDisk for 1.6 billion dollars in 2006, and now invests in Israeli startups as managing partner of Grove Ventures.
The Builders | Olam.business
Dov Moran, born July 29, 1955, in Ramat Gan to Polish Jewish Holocaust survivor parents, founded M-Systems in 1989 and invented the USB flash drive, known in Israel as the DiskOnKey, in 1999. Under his leadership M-Systems grew to a billion dollars in revenue within 18 years before SanDisk acquired it for 1.6 billion dollars in 2006, one of the largest acquisitions in Israeli technology history. Moran holds more than 40 patents and now manages Grove Ventures as its managing partner.
Who Is Dov Moran?
Dov Moran is an Israeli inventor and entrepreneur best known for inventing the USB flash drive, who founded M-Systems and sold it to SanDisk for 1.6 billion dollars in 2006.
At a Glance
| Born | July 29, 1955, Ramat Gan, Israel, to Polish Jewish parents who survived the Holocaust |
| Education and service | BSc, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology. Served seven years in the Israeli Navy as commander of its microprocessor department |
| M-Systems | Founded 1989 in Kfar Saba with Aryeh Mergi. Invented the DiskOnChip flash memory in 1995 and the USB flash drive, DiskOnKey, in 1999 |
| SanDisk acquisition | M-Systems grew to a billion dollars in revenue within 18 years and was acquired by SanDisk in an all-stock deal completed November 19, 2006, worth approximately 1.55 billion dollars |
| Later ventures | Chaired Tower Semiconductor through a major turnaround; founded modu, sold to Google; founded Comigo, an Android-based smart TV platform |
| Current role | Managing Partner of Grove Ventures, an Israeli venture capital firm |
| Patents and honors | Holds more than 40 patents. Recipient of the IEEE Reynold B. Johnson Information Storage Systems Award and the Edward Rheine Award for inventing the USB flash drive |
How Did Dov Moran Invent the USB Flash Drive?
Moran graduated from the Technion with a degree in computer science and served seven years in the Israeli Navy as commander of its advanced microprocessor department before founding M-Systems in 1989 in Kfar Saba with Aryeh Mergi. The company pioneered flash data storage, inventing the DiskOnChip flash memory card in 1995 and, in 1999, the DiskOnKey, the world's first USB flash drive, a product that reshaped how people carried and transferred digital files.
Moran decided early to focus on the American market despite running the company from Israel, a strategic choice he credits with M-Systems' growth to a billion dollars in annual revenue within 18 years. SanDisk completed its acquisition of M-Systems in an all-stock transaction on November 19, 2006, valued at approximately 1.55 billion dollars, still ranked among the largest acquisitions in Israeli technology history.
What Has Dov Moran Done Since M-Systems?
After the SanDisk sale, Moran chaired Tower Semiconductor, leading a significant corporate turnaround. He founded modu, a modular cellphone company later sold to Google, and Comigo, which developed an Android-based smart TV platform. Moran now serves as Managing Partner of Grove Ventures, an Israeli venture capital firm, where he remains closely involved with the fund's portfolio companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dov Moran?
Dov Moran is an Israeli inventor and entrepreneur who invented the USB flash drive at M-Systems, the company he founded in 1989 and sold to SanDisk in 2006 for 1.6 billion dollars.
What is M-Systems?
M-Systems is the Israeli flash memory company Dov Moran founded in 1989 that invented the DiskOnKey, the world's first USB flash drive, before its 2006 acquisition by SanDisk.
How much did SanDisk pay for M-Systems?
SanDisk acquired M-Systems in an all-stock transaction completed in November 2006 valued at approximately 1.55 to 1.6 billion dollars.
What does Dov Moran do now?
Dov Moran currently serves as Managing Partner of Grove Ventures, an Israeli venture capital firm, after founding companies including modu and Comigo following the sale of M-Systems.
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מי הוא דב מורן?
דב מורן, יליד 1955 ברמת גן, המציא את ה-DiskOnKey, ההתקן הנייד הראשון בעולם, בחברת M-Systems שייסד ב-1989. החברה נמכרה ל-SanDisk ב-2006 תמורת 1.6 מיליארד דולר. כיום משמש שותף מנהל ב-Grove Ventures.
The Olam Editorial Team | The Builders / הבונים
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