Dr. Shihab Kuran graduated from the University of Jordan (UJ) with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in 1992. He also holds an Executive Management degree from Harvard Business School and a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the City University of New York, in the U.S.
 
Dr. Kuran is an investor, serial entrepreneur and a seasoned executive in the global semiconductor, power and cleantech sectors.
 
He founded and ran several private companies and served as an executive/board member at six public companies. He led companies in the start-up stage and managed global organizations. In semiconductors, he developed a business that became the sole supplier to Intel as they launched their coveted Centrino platform.
 
Dr. Kuran founded and ran Petra Solar where he developed leading-edge technologies and launched the largest solar electric project in the world in 2009. The project consisted of the installation of up to 200,000 solar panels and was deployed in the State of New Jersey.
 
He is currently the founder and CEO of Power Edison, an innovative energy storage company for the grid. Prior to founding Power Edison, he served as the President of Strategic Development at NRG, a leading integrated power company in the U.S. Before joining NRG, Dr. Kuran served as the President of Advanced Solutions at Sun Edison.
 
In the field of water preservation, Dr. Kuran worked on treatment technologies, inventing various novel solutions.
 
Dr. Kuran's extensive work and vision earned him international recognition. He was named by Greentech Media as one of the “100 people you must know in Smart Grid in 2012.” In 2011, he was named by NJBIZ (New Jersey's leading business journal) as one of “The 100 most powerful people in New Jersey business,” and his company, Petra Solar was awarded the American Technology Award in both Smart Grid and Clean Tech. In 2010, E&Y recognized him as the NJ Green Tech Entrepreneur of the Year, and Fortnightly Magazine named him as a “top guru” in the solar industry.
 
He serves on the advisory boards of many organizations, including the Charles Edison Fund, Edison Innovation Foundation and at The Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). He served as a Board Member of the New Jersey Tech Council (NJTC) and an External Advisory Board Member of Rutgers Innovation Park.
 
Dr. Kuran is an accomplished scholar who has published over 40 papers.

His efforts are fueled by a vision for a peaceful world with universal access to clean and sustainable sources of food, energy and water.
 
As such great role model, we asked Dr. Kuran to share his best advice for young aspiring entrepreneurs. Dr. Kuran says that they should consider three things:
 
• Entrepreneurs need to maintain a realistic but positive outlook for their venture.
 
• Serving society and the environment at large gives the venture a lasting and sustainable impact.
 
• Focus on results not on rewards. Be flexible and adapt to the ever-changing environment. Celebrate milestone successes with the team".

"A key to the success of entrepreneurs is their ability to assemble a high caliber team that shares in a common vision and culture," he added.