Nadav Shoval

Nadav Shoval
נדב שובל
Born1990 (age 35–36)
Israel
Occupationsentrepreneur, investor
Known forfounder of OpenWeb; founder of FlowMode; co-founder of Project Omega

Nadav Shoval (Hebrew: נדב שובל; born 1990) is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, investor, and technology executive. He is the founder of OpenWeb and FlowMode, and a co-founder of Project Omega. Shoval is chief executive officer of FlowMode, a board member of Project Omega, and a senior advisor to OpenWeb. In 2012, he founded OpenWeb, a U.S.-based software company that works with online publishers and advertisers. He was its CEO from 2015 to 2024. In 2017, he was included in Forbes Israel's "30 Under 30" list.

Early life and education

Nadav Shoval was born in 1990. During childhood, he was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, a condition that limited his physical activity for a period of time. During his recovery, he developed an interest in computers and began participating in online communities. He built chat platforms and forums, and contributed to classroom computer projects.

Career

In July 2005, Nadav Shoval founded Looop Ltd., a company focused on online marketing and sales. In May 2010, he launched Simple One, an app designed to organize social media platforms and SMS communications, where he was CEO.

In 2015, Shoval co-founded Spot.IM, later renamed OpenWeb, a U.S.-based software company. The company develops tools for online publishers and advertisers, including moderation software and community engagement platforms. According to interviews, Shoval described the company's mission as creating safer online communities through social media tools.

As CEO, he oversaw the company's expansion into AI- and ML-driven moderation technologies, as well as its growth in data and advertising sectors.

In 2024, Shoval stepped down as chief executive officer of OpenWeb following a settlement with the company's board of directors. He subsequently assumed the role of senior advisor to the company.

Project Omega

In early 2025, Shoval co-founded Project Omega, a technology venture alongside Stafford Sheehan. Project Omega builds technologies that turn nuclear waste into renewable energy. In 2026, the business emerged from stealth raising $12 million from venture capitalists including Starship Ventures, Mantis Ventures, Buckley Ventures, Slow Ventures, and Decisive Point. Shoval is a co-founder and member of the board of directors.

Investments

Beyond his operational roles, Shoval is an angel investor and startup advisor. He has invested in numerous early-stage technology companies, including Jedify, Terra One, Synonym, Cased, and TitleDock.

Personal life

As of 2023, Shoval lives in Brooklyn, New York City. He is married and has one child.

References

  1. ↑ Spot.IM, Nadav Shoval (2015-03-15). "Advice to young entrepreneurs: 5 things I wish I'd known before taking on the CEO role". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  2. 1 2 Shulman, Sophie (2025-02-18). "OpenWeb CEO dispute ends with Shoval stepping down and accepting advisory role". ctech. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  3. ↑ Coffee, Patrick (2022-10-27). "OpenWeb, Which Helps Publishers Target Readers With Ads, Raises $170 Million". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  4. ↑ ""How many times does a board have to tell a CEO his services are no longer needed?": OpenWeb counters Shoval's lawsuit". ctech. 2024-10-20. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  5. ↑ "Unicorn OpenWeb announces new CEO, but founding CEO refuses to step down". ctech. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  6. 1 2 3 "The Human Founder: Why is Working on Our Mental Muscles the Most Important Job as Startup Founders?". Geektime. 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  7. ↑ "Nadav Shoval, Openweb Inc: Profile and Biography". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  8. 1 2 Gallant, Michael (2020-06-05). "#16 - From Kawasaki Disease to Tech Unicorn - Nadav Shoval". MBA without BS. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  9. ↑ "Nadav Shoval | Co-Founder and CEO - OpenWeb". Fast Company Executive Board. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  10. ↑ "N12 - הנער שלא האמינו בו והפך ליזם מיליונר". N12. 2017-04-14. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  11. ↑ Releases, Forbes Press. "Forbes Announces Second Annual Forbes Israel 30 Under 30 List, Highlighting the Accomplishments of 60 Game Changers from Across Israeli Society". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  12. ↑ Merson, Rupert (2016-02-25). Growing a Business: Strategies for leaders and entrepreneurs. Profile. ISBN 978-1-78283-047-4.
  13. ↑ חתן, גלית (2023-07-26). "אופן ווב חתמה על עסקאות בהיקף מאות מיליוני דולרים". Globes. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  14. ↑ Spiro, James (2020-06-25). "Talkback platform Spot.im is rebranding and cracking down on online toxicity". CTECH - www.calcalistech.com. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  15. ↑ "The Human Founder Podcast | Ep. 75". www.galiblochliran.com. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  16. ↑ חתן, גלית (2023-07-26). "אופן ווב חתמה על עסקאות בהיקף מאות מיליוני דולרים". Globes. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  17. ↑ אביגד, דורון (2021-10-23). "לא עשה בגרות אבל הקים חברה של מאות מיליונים: "דחפו לי רטלין"". Globes. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  18. ↑ "TheOrg (Nadav Shoval)".
  19. ↑ "Contactout.com".
  20. 1 2 "Spot.IM מגייסת 13 מיליון דולר כדי להציל את המו"לים מפייסבוק". TheMarker. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  21. ↑ FinSMEs (2022-10-27). "OpenWeb Raises $170M In Series F Funding At $1.5 Billion Valuation". FinSMEs. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  22. ↑ "TechAviv | Nadav Shoval". www.techaviv.com. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  23. ↑ "Where's This Going: #78 Nadav Shoval on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  24. ↑ "OpenWeb CEO on Creating a Healthier Internet, Elon Musk 'Acting Like a Troll'". Cheddar News. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  25. ↑ חתן, גלית (2023-07-26). "אופן ווב חתמה על עסקאות בהיקף מאות מיליוני דולרים". Globes. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  26. ↑ "Court rejects Nadav Shoval's petition against OpenWeb ouster". Globes. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  27. 1 2 Bettenhausen, Craig (2025-01-21). "Project Omega comes out of stealth with nuclear batteries and recycling". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  28. ↑ Liu, Phoebe. "This Startup Wants To Turn America's Nuclear Waste Into Power". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2026-02-21. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  29. ↑ "Project Omega Emerges From Stealth to Recycle America's Spent Nuclear Fuel". Morningstar, Inc. 2026-02-11. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  30. ↑ "Nadav Shoval - Investor at Synonym Biotechnologies". THE ORG. Retrieved 2026-02-21.