Shimon Shmueli

Shimon Shmueli is an Israeli-American inventor, entrepreneur, and academic, best known for inventing the USB flash drive in 1999 during his time at IBM—a breakthrough that transformed data storage and portability.

His career spans senior leadership roles across industry and academia, including twelve years at IBM, where he rose to worldwide product line manager for ThinkPad and led innovations such as USB flash memory. He later co-founded KeyNetica as CTO, founded the innovation firm Touch360, and worked with global brands including BMW Motorrad, Logitech UE, and Lenovo.

Alongside his industry work, Shmueli has taught at George Mason University, Portland State University, and NewSchool of Architecture and Design, and has been a full professor at ShanghaiTech University since 2020, where he helps shape the intelligent design curriculum and co-directs the Lab for Experiential and Affective Design (LEAD). His work includes seven patents and the Carnegie Corporation of New York “Great Immigrant” award.