RAD Founders
In memory of our founders
Captains of industry, leaders, visionaries, mentors, philanthropists, and above all – compassionate souls. The late Zohar and Yehuda Zisapel were all that and much, much more.
Together, the Zisapel brothers founded RAD and The RAD Group in 1981, and continued on to establish many groundbreaking tech ventures in the fields of communications, biotech, AI, cyber, and more. They were also extensively involved in various public philanthropic enterprises. Their multi-faceted, larger than life personalities also extended to the arts – which they embraced wholeheartedly.
They have left a legacy that we are all immensely proud to be a part of. Their spirit will continue to guide us as we press forward in our mission, just as they would have wanted.
Yehuda and Zohar, you were beacons of wisdom with gracious hearts. You will be dearly missed.
Yehuda Zisapel
1942-2024 Mr. Yehuda Zisapel (EE, MSc, MBA, DHC) was the founder and president of the RAD Group, a leading pioneering association of private and public Israeli companies offering innovative solutions for the data communications industry, and Chairman of RAD, the first of the RAD Group companies. Beyond the RAD Group, Yehuda Zisapel had also taken on a prominent role in the development and promotion of Israel’s emerging biotechnology sector, co-founding Neurim Pharmaceuticals, a drug discovery and development company. Together with his brother Zohar, Yehuda also founded RAD BioMed Incubator Ltd., Israel’s preeminent bio-medical incubator.
Yehuda had spearheaded various educational programs aimed at the advancement of talented youth from Israel’s geographic and social periphery. Yehuda and Zohar donated to the Technion Academic Institution, their alma mater, for the establishment of the Israel Nanotechnology Center, as well as contributed to the construction of the Zisapel Building for Electrical and Computer Engineering there. The two were awarded the Technion Award – the most prestigious award awarded by the institution for lifetime achievement. Yehuda and Zohar’s extensive contribution to Israel’s high-tech industry had been recognized with a multitude of awards, including the Captains of the Industry award by the then President Reuven Rivlin.
A talented musician, Yehuda's passion was focused on classical music, and manifested both in composing musical works and collecting rare antique stringed instruments, many of which loaned to Israeli musicians.
Yehuda Zisapel
1942-2024 Mr. Yehuda Zisapel (EE, MSc, MBA, DHC) was the founder and president of the RAD Group, a leading pioneering association of private and public Israeli companies offering innovative solutions for the data communications industry, and Chairman of RAD, the first of the RAD Group companies. Beyond the RAD Group, Yehuda Zisapel had also taken on a prominent role in the development and promotion of Israel’s emerging biotechnology sector, co-founding Neurim Pharmaceuticals, a drug discovery and development company. Together with his brother Zohar, Yehuda also founded RAD BioMed Incubator Ltd., Israel’s preeminent bio-medical incubator.
Yehuda had spearheaded various educational programs aimed at the advancement of talented youth from Israel’s geographic and social periphery. Yehuda and Zohar donated to the Technion Academic Institution, their alma mater, for the establishment of the Israel Nanotechnology Center, as well as contributed to the construction of the Zisapel Building for Electrical and Computer Engineering there. The two were awarded the Technion Award – the most prestigious award awarded by the institution for lifetime achievement. Yehuda and Zohar’s extensive contribution to Israel’s high-tech industry had been recognized with a multitude of awards, including the Captains of the Industry award by the then President Reuven Rivlin.
A talented musician, Yehuda's passion was focused on classical music, and manifested both in composing musical works and collecting rare antique stringed instruments, many of which loaned to Israeli musicians.
Zohar Zisapel
1949-2023 Zohar Zisapel (BSc, MSc, MBA) was an Israeli entrepreneur, businessman and philanthrope. He founded the RAD Group of companies with his brother, Yehuda. Zisapel worked for the Electronic Research Department of the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv and rose to become its head. In 1979, he received the Israel Defense Prize for his work. In 1981 Zohar cofounded RAD Data Communications Ltd. with his brother. Zohar’s technology and business interests extended beyond the RAD Group and telecom. He was actively involved in various cyber and autonomous car startups, both as an investor and mentor.
One of Zohar’s charitable contributions was to donate fully equipped computer rooms to educational institutions that serve children at risk and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Yehuda and Zohar donated to the Technion Academic Institution, their alma mater, for the establishment of the Israel Nanotechnology Center, as well as contributed to the construction of the Zisapel Building for Electrical and Computer Engineering there. The two were awarded the Technion Award – the most prestigious award awarded by the institution for lifetime achievement.
Yehuda and Zohar’s extensive contribution to Israel’s high-tech industry had been recognized with a multitude of awards, including the Captains of the Industry award by the then President Reuven Rivlin. An avid art collector, Zohar’s built an extensive and eclectic collection of visual artworks over decades. The main body of works is on display throughout the RAD Group offices, as well as on loan to museums, individuals, and the offices of technology companies.
Zohar Zisapel
1949-2023 Zohar Zisapel (BSc, MSc, MBA) was an Israeli entrepreneur, businessman and philanthrope. He founded the RAD Group of companies with his brother, Yehuda. Zisapel worked for the Electronic Research Department of the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv and rose to become its head. In 1979, he received the Israel Defense Prize for his work. In 1981 Zohar cofounded RAD Data Communications Ltd. with his brother. Zohar’s technology and business interests extended beyond the RAD Group and telecom. He was actively involved in various cyber and autonomous car startups, both as an investor and mentor.
One of Zohar’s charitable contributions was to donate fully equipped computer rooms to educational institutions that serve children at risk and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Yehuda and Zohar donated to the Technion Academic Institution, their alma mater, for the establishment of the Israel Nanotechnology Center, as well as contributed to the construction of the Zisapel Building for Electrical and Computer Engineering there. The two were awarded the Technion Award – the most prestigious award awarded by the institution for lifetime achievement.
Yehuda and Zohar’s extensive contribution to Israel’s high-tech industry had been recognized with a multitude of awards, including the Captains of the Industry award by the then President Reuven Rivlin. An avid art collector, Zohar’s built an extensive and eclectic collection of visual artworks over decades. The main body of works is on display throughout the RAD Group offices, as well as on loan to museums, individuals, and the offices of technology companies.