Reconnecting with Amir Faintuch
Mr. Amir Faintuch
CLASS ‘93
Amir Faintuch has held senior management positions in leading American semiconductor companies over the course of his career, serving most recently as Senior VP and Director of Strategic Investments at Intel Capital. He recently joined Pitango Venture Capital as an independent venture partner.
Faintuch, who earned a joint MBA degree from Northwestern and Tel Aviv Universities, received his BSc in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Haifa. An avid skier, hiker and scuba diver, he now lives in Los Altos, CA, with his wife Vered and his three daughters.
During a recent visit to Haifa, he reconnected with the University, meeting with members of the administration and networking with members of the University of Haifa Business Leaders Forum. He also joined a scientific working dive led by Professor Dan Tchernov, Founder and Scientific Director of the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station and Vice-President of Development and External Relations.
Why did you choose to study at University of Haifa?
The University’s economics and business administration program was considered among the best in Israel. I was afforded an opportunity to study with some of the nation’s most respected academic economists. What also attracted me was the program’s balanced approach between quantitative and qualitative economics theories. The broad knowledge base I gained here has been of practical value throughout my professional career.
Any words of advice for students choosing this area of study?
I well remember the challenging classes and rigorous course load. My advice would be to believe in yourself and stick it out, even when it starts getting tough. Looking back, I think it would have been useful to have studied more than one specialization. Having to do it over again, I would have paired my major with computer science. Given the ‘fanatical’ pace of change in the world, I believe that being an expert in more than one subject is essential today.
Fondest memories from your years at University of Haifa?
I met my wife at University of Haifa, she studied here at the same time.
What vision or motto has guided you throughout your career?
I believe in being bold – aiming high and setting ambitious goals– and at the same time staying humble so that you can truly appreciate other people’s talents.
What predictions can you make about the future of our wired world?
We must plan for a future where artificial intelligence and new computer models of human intelligence affect all facets of human life. This will require the right technological and ethical, social frameworks to co-exist together. It’s an exciting future ahead, and it will challenge our ability to adapt, collaborate and respond to change.”
Amir Faintuch joined Professor Dan Tchernov on a scientific dive at Kibbutz Sdot Yam. The two also recently presented a fireside chat, The Mediterranean Sea – An Untapped Platform, at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA.