2025-08-27 7:34 PM <br/> Tags: #people #AmericanJewry #Tech ![[image-100.png|644x363]] # Steve Ballmer (1956-) - Ballmer was the CEO of Microsoft from 2000-2014. - For this Ballmer is among the richest men on earth with a ~$150 billion net worth. - At the time of writing Ballmer is the 9th richest man in the world and 5th richest Jew. *Of the top 10 richest people right now, 50% are Jewish.* - Ballmer is the owner the NBA team the Los Angeles Clippers. #### Microsoft and Israel under Ballmer - Under Ballmer's leadership Microsoft became deeply entwined with Israel and Israeli tech companies/startups. - On a 2008 visit to Israel Ballmer is quoted saying "If you do the math, Microsoft is almost as much an Israeli company as it is an American company." (Press 2012) - Microsoft licensed 3D sensing technology from the Israeli firm *PrimeSense* in 2009. - PrimeSense made tiny sensors able to be embedded in devices like phones, tablets, laptops etc. - PrimeSense also aided the Iphone's facial recognition technology. - PrimeSense's sensors were used in the Xbox Kinect. - The Kinect used motion sensors, cameras, microphones, and projectors to track users movements, recognize voices, and map the nearby environment allowing users to control the game through their movements. - The Kinect was introduced in 2010 and shipped with the Xbox One on its release in 2013. - PrimeSense was founded by the Israeli Aviad Maizels. - In 2016 Maizels co-founded Bionaut Labs with fellow Israeli Michael Shpigelmacher. - Shpigelmacher previously worked in the Israeli government. - Bionaut labs is based in Los Angeles. - Bionaut Labs makes micro precision robots called "Bionauts" which travel through the body for surgical purposes. - Bionauts are able to traverse the brain for complex neuro applications. - Microsoft and Ballmer personally worked closely with the Israeli startup *Soluto* - Soluto was founded by veterans of the elite Israeli intelligence [[Unit 8200]]. - Soluto worked with Microsoft's *Azure* cloud services, and collaterally Azure's VPN services. - Soluto was Acquired by the Tennessee based tech-insurance firm *Asurion* in 2013. ![[image-103.png|446x334]] *Ballmer with Soluto's founder and Unit 8200 veteran Tomer Dvir. * - Under Ballmer, Microsoft greatly expanded its activities in Israel. - Microsoft built large R&D centers the Israeli cities Herzliya and Haifa. - Ballmer has commented on the unique status of Israel's Research centers. Normally Microsoft R&D centers outside of Israel are "given specific things to do"; the Israeli centers, in a rare deviation, are involved in "innovative projects." #### Ballmer and Organized Jewry - Ballmer is a large donor to the [[Jewish National Fund]]. - For his donations Ballmer is a member of the JNF's "World Chairman's Council." - Ballmer sits on a JNF global leaders council. - In 2014 Ballmer at the age of 58 announced his intention to have a bar mitzvah. - For that purpose he announced his undertaking of studying Hebrew. #### Ballmer's Political Activity - Ballmer is a major donor to American politicians and political groups. - He funds left wing democrat politicians. - Via the Ballmer Group he and his wife donate to moderate and left wing groups. - The Ballmer Group supports has given to Planned Parenthood. - The Ballmer Group has an ongoing initiative to disperse $42.5 million to ~100 black-led non profits. #### References - _“Meet Steve Ballmer, who surpassed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to become sixth-richest person in the world.”_ _Livemint_, July 2, 2024. (This is the source of the note photo) https://www.livemint.com/news/india/meet-steve-ballmer-who-surpassed-microsoft-co-founder-bill-gates-to-become-sixth-richest-person-in-the-world-11719886352191.html - JTA, “Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer to Visit Israel.” *Forward*, August 27, 2012. https://forward.com/news/161803/microsofts-steve-ballmer-to-visit-israel/ - Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “Half of America’s 25 Most Generous Philanthropists Are Jews. Together, They Gave Nearly $5 Billion in 2022.” January 25, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2023/01/25/philanthropy/half-of-americas-25-most-generous-philanthropists-are-jews-together-they-gave-nearly-5-billion-in-2022 - Marvin, Rob. *SD Times*. “Ballmer, the Bar Mitzvah Boy.” October 31, 2014. https://sdtimes.com/microsoft/sd-times-blog-ballmer-bar-mitzvah-boy/ - Kampeas, Ron. “Meet the Leading Jewish Political Donors in this US Election Cycle.” *Times of Israel*, September 15, 2020. https://www.timesofisrael.com/meet-the-leading-jewish-political-donors-in-this-us-election-cycle/ - Shamah, David. “_Microsoft employs more workers per capita in Israel than anywhere else on earth, says Ballmer._” _The Times of Israel_, November 5, 2012. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/microsoft-ceo-ballmer-israels-high-tech-remarkable/](https://www.timesofisrael.com/microsoft-ceo-ballmer-israels-high-tech-remarkable/).