Shaul Shani

Early Life

Shaul Shani was born around 1955 in Kiryat Eliezer, Haifa, Israel. His father worked at the Port of Haifa. Information about his early years and childhood is limited.

Rise to Success

Shani's entrepreneurial journey began in the 1980s with investments in various ventures. In 1982, he founded Oshap Technologies, a software company that produced software for industrial automation. The company was listed on the NASDAQ in 1985. Oshap Technologies was later sold to SunGard for $210 million in 1999. Shani also co-founded Sapiens International Corporation and Tecnomatix, both listed on NASDAQ, and later sold. A pivotal moment was the founding of Global Village Telecom in 1999, a Brazilian telecommunications company, which he sold to Vivendi in 2009 for $4.5 billion, netting a profit of $1.5 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Shaul Shani's success stems from his ability to identify and capitalize on investment opportunities, particularly in technology and communications. He is known for his strategic approach to acquiring and selling companies, as demonstrated by the sale of Global Village Telecom and his involvement with ECI Telecom. Shani’s Swarth Group has also engaged in mezzanine lending, capital markets, and algorithmic trading.

Philanthropy

In 2021, Shani became the chairman of Rashi, one of Israel's largest charities. Through his leadership, Rashi has expanded its reach and increased its effectiveness in addressing social challenges in Israel.