6th
TheMarker's Top 40 Israeli Internet Startup Professionals 2008
(Link to full size version of this article)
I was profiled this month in Israel’s financial rag, TheMarker.
Translation (cover feature):
Title: The “choice” startup professionals.
You have a great idea for the internet industry. Someone even agreed to give you a few million dollars to make it happen. So now, maybe you needed to bust your ass to find the people that will make your dream a reality, but this year we decided to do the dirtywork for you. TheMarker magazine brings you the dream team: 40 best professionals in Israel to found a successful startup.
Interview
Paul Knegten, 27 (פול קנגטן)
Army service: “Believe it or not, a truck driver. I was asked to bring my diploma (from University) to the army induction center and this apparently helped the placement officers peg me as a perfect fit for a truck driver.”
Education: “BA in Neurobiology from Northwestern University, MBA from Kellogg-Recanati (finishing this year).”
Current position: “Director of Business Development at Dapper, Inc.”
Previous positions:
“Independent business development (and marketing) consultant to Answers.com, Definitely Something, and others. Before that, I worked in business development for Vascular Biogenics, and immediately after I moved to Israel I cleaned fish for free at Kibbutz Na’an for two months.”
What’s the project you’re most proud of?
“MashupAds — Dapper’s new product that we’re releasing in April. It’s a tool for the creation of dynamic ads that behave like site features.”
What are the characteristics that define you as a great professional in your field?
“I love to solve problems, and problem solving for consumers is the foundation to a good business model. I’m also “anxious” in the good sense of the word; I’m rarely satisfied with the status quo and I’m not afraid to change it.
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
“The founder of a startup.”
In your opinion, what will be the most needed positions in the internet industry in the coming years?
“In the near future everyone is going to (still) need web developers, (Java, PHP, etc.). I also expect a demand for CTOs and VP R&Ds, people with vision to manage these techincal people.”
Do they pay you enough in your opinion?
“As the dollar weakens, my salary seems higher and higher so yes! But honestly, we’re a startup like any startup, but we only hire superstars so my compensation definitely reflects that.
Why we think he’s awesome: Because he manages to generate a lot of noise and partnerships and bring sexiness to Dapper’s product that isn’t really for mass audiences.