Venture capitalist Jon Medved, one of the most influential figures in Israel’s technology scene, has stepped back from public life after being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS. Medved, founder of investment firm OurCrowd, announced his immediate retirement in October, describing the diagnosis as sudden and life changing.
Speaking in what may be his final interview, he explained that doctors initially struggled to identify his illness before confirming ALS, a progressive disease that affects motor neurons and gradually limits movement, speech, and breathing.
Medved is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Israel’s startup ecosystem. After moving from California to Israel in his twenties, he founded and sold several technology companies before turning to venture capital. In 2013, he launched OurCrowd, a firm that opened venture investing to accredited individuals around the world. The model attracted investors from nearly 200 countries and backed major companies such as Anthropic, Beyond Meat, and Lemonade, helping to reshape how people participate in startup funding.
Despite ongoing conflict in the region, Medved said Israel’s technology sector remains resilient and active. He noted that billions of dollars continue to flow into Israeli startups across areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, health technology, and food innovation. According to him, the country now has close to 100 unicorn companies and continues to draw strong global investment interest, reinforcing its reputation as a global technology hub.
Now living with an incurable condition, Medved has become a personal beneficiary of the very technologies he once funded. One example is a highly realistic digital avatar created to preserve his voice and expressions as the disease progresses. Developed by an OurCrowd backed AI company in partnership with voice technology firms, the tool allows people with ALS to communicate even after losing speech. While he has stepped down from leadership, Medved says he still plans to contribute to the tech ecosystem and remains proud of his role in supporting innovations that improve human life.