Dr Ofer David received his B.Sc and M.Sc. from the Technion Haifa, Israel; his PhD in electro-optics from Ben Gurion University, and worked on various electro-optic defense programs at Elbit systems. He has more than 20 years’ experience, various publications and patents in the area of active imaging systems and laser detection.
Other areas in which Ofer is involved include fog-penetrating day/night imaging systems and visibility measurement systems. Ofer has two sons and a daughter. His wife is an environmental engineer fighting pollution. Aside from electro-optics, he enjoys mountain biking and wind surfing.
DVN: Ofer, tell us about your company. When did you create the company?
Dr. Ofer David: BrightWay Vision was founded end 2010 as a spinoff from Elbit Systems, one of the world’s leading defence electronics firms. In particular, Elbit are recognized as a global technological leader in advanced electro-optics.
Following the spinoff, BrightWay are now a standalone entity operating in Israel and actively supported by Elbit. I am the CEO.
The BrightWay spinoff is based on Elbit’s strategic decision to commercialise applications of their technology in the non-military market through separate startups funded by partners and investors entering following a stage of investment by Elbit.
In recent years, Elbit have invested significant amounts in the development of the BrightEye vision core technology. Based on technological breakthroughs by Elbit, BrightWay develops revolutionary vision-based (night/day) safety solutions for the automotive industry. BrightWay expect funding will be needed during 2012-2014 with the first round scheduled for 2012 to fund the product development until the phase of automotive serial production prototype as well as the initial validation with auto makers and Tier 1 partners.