Khaled Ismail

Industry: Wireless Technology
Founded: 2002
www.sysdsoft.com

SySDSoft is an innovative Egyptian business that specializes in developing cutting-edge wireless communications technology. 

The Business

SySDSoft established in 2003 specializes in embedded wireless system design and development. SySDSoft had its inception within the walls of Cairo University marking the first time in Egypt that academic minds got together to start a company that aggressively caters to global needs, not to service local demand. In 2010, Sysdsoft became the world leader in offering the protocol stack of 4th Generation cellular network terminals (LTE). Most of the assets of the company were acquired by Intel in March 2011, while its founder, Khaled Ismail, became Managing Director Intel Mobile Communications Egypt, as well as Endeavor Egypt Board Chairman.

The Entrepreneur

A former Cairo University professor with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (nano-electronics) from MIT (1989), Khaled's credentials in the high-tech field are formidable. Between 1989 and 1997, he worked at IBM's Watson Research Center in the design of novel devices and materials for the semi-conductor industry. He was the recipient of the IBM Invention Achievement Award in 1997 and 1995, respectively. With the desire to return home and contribute to his country, Khaled accepted a position as CEO in Cairo, during which time he also completed an executive MBA program at Wharton. Between 2005 and 2007, Khaled was the senior adviser of the Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, comprising the inauguration of the Technology Development Fund, and Incubator for startups and an annual Business Plan Competition.