---
source_url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Ouzan?utm_source=openai"
title: Raphael Ouzan - Wikipedia
mirrored_at: 2026-08-31T01:06:40.945Z
host: en.wikipedia.org
cited_in_42a: true
mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Ouzan__q__utm_source_openai"
---

> **Original source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Ouzan?utm_source=openai

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Raphael Ouzan

רפאל אוזן

Born

June 9, 1987 (age 39)  

[Reims](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reims "Reims"), [France](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France "France")

Citizenship

Israel

Occupation

[Entrepreneur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneur "Entrepreneur")

Organization(s)

Global Shaper, World Economic Forum

Board member of

[Israel Tech Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Tech_Challenge "Israel Tech Challenge") (chairman)  
Start Up Nation Central  
(board member)

Awards

President's Award for Technology Innovation

Website

[https://www.raphael.io/](https://www.raphael.io/)

**Raphael Ouzan** ([Hebrew](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_language "Hebrew language"): רפאל אוזן; born June 9, 1987) is an Israeli technologist and entrepreneur. The recipient of Israel's President's Award for Technology and Innovation, he is the co-founder of [BillGuard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BillGuard "BillGuard") and the founder and chairman of [Israel Tech Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Tech_Challenge "Israel Tech Challenge").[\[1\]](#cite_note-tech_challenge_idf-1)[\[2\]](#cite_note-wired_speaking-2)[\[3\]](#cite_note-Forbes_30_under_30_long-3)

Ouzan was born in Reims, France. His father, James Elisha Ouzan, is a cardiologist and his mother Françoise is a historian.[\[4\]](#cite_note-science_prize_jpost-4) When he was 10, he read about computers in a video gaming magazine and began to study programming on the internet via a dial-up connection he had persuaded his parents to install. After learning the programming languages [C](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_\(programming_language\) "C (programming language)") and [C++](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C++ "C++"), he began to build websites for businesses, becoming a professional coder at 13.[\[5\]](#cite_note-Next_Web-5)

Growing up, Ouzan visited Israel several times with his family. He had limited opportunity to further his programming studies in Reims,[\[5\]](#cite_note-Next_Web-5) and seeking to learn more about technology and entrepreneurship, he moved to Jerusalem in 2003 through Na'ale Elite Academy, an organization for young Jewish people to make [Aliyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliyah "Aliyah") independently.[\[6\]](#cite_note-emigrated_at_15-6) Through Na'ale, Ouzan attended Boys Town Jerusalem, a high school.[\[7\]](#cite_note-7)[\[8\]](#cite_note-JPost_2013-8)[\[9\]](#cite_note-Isra_Post_science_prize-9)

In 2006 Ouzan won the Israel-Intel Young Scientists Prize for a computer-based surveillance system that detects and follows the movement of an intruder in three dimensions. Originally developed as required coursework at Boys Town, it placed first in the 2005 Israel Department of Education national competition for projects related to Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Technology. Ouzan was awarded the prize at the residence of Israel's president as the recipient of the President's Award for Technology and Innovation.[\[9\]](#cite_note-Isra_Post_science_prize-9) The national Intel prize qualified Ouzan to represent Israel at the International Intel Science competition, where he won second prize. In addition to a cash award, a planet was named after him in honor of his win.[\[10\]](#cite_note-10)

Following his high school graduation, Ouzan served in the [Israel Defense Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Defense_Forces "Israel Defense Forces"). An officer in IDF's elite cyber intelligence outfit, [the 8200](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_8200 "Unit 8200"), he established and managed "super hacker" teams and developed scalable and secure intelligence data systems.[\[11\]](#cite_note-American_Banker-11)[\[12\]](#cite_note-pres_award-12)

In 2010—the day after his final day as an IDF officer—Ouzan co-founded BillGuard with Yaron Samid. A spending-and-credit-tracking app, it allowed users to track their spending, monitor their credit, set up fraud alerts and, via crowd-sourced data, flag unauthorized charges.[\[13\]](#cite_note-prosper_acquires-13) Ouzan served as BillGuard's chief technology officer and head of product development.

Five months after its launch the company raised $10m in venture capital from investors including former [Google](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google "Google") CEO [Eric Schmidt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Schmidt "Eric Schmidt") and [PayPal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PayPal "PayPal") founder [Peter Thiel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Thiel "Peter Thiel"). _[Fast Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Company_\(magazine\) "Fast Company (magazine)")_ placed BillGuard on their list of the Top 10 most innovative companies in Israel.[\[14\]](#cite_note-14) The company was acquired by Prosper Marketplace in September 2015. Ouzan was named vice president of products and technology at Prosper Marketplace, a position he held until late 2016.[\[15\]](#cite_note-15)

### Israel Tech Challenge

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raphael_Ouzan&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: Israel Tech Challenge")\]

While in the military, Ouzan became aware of the talent shortage in the tech industry, and co-founded the non-profit [Israel Tech Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Tech_Challenge "Israel Tech Challenge"). Backed by the Israeli National Cyber Bureau, the [Jewish Agency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Agency "Jewish Agency"), private donors and corporate partners such as [Check Point](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Check_Point "Check Point"), [Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft "Microsoft"), PayPal and Intel, it identifies young professionals internationally and provides them with training in data science, cyber-security and coding to aid or launch their careers in the tech industry.[\[16\]](#cite_note-Istrael_Tech-16) Ouzan serves as the organization's chairman.[\[3\]](#cite_note-Forbes_30_under_30_long-3)[\[17\]](#cite_note-RO_on_hacking-17)[\[18\]](#cite_note-Sionisme-18)

### Awards and affiliations

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raphael_Ouzan&action=edit&section=5 "Edit section: Awards and affiliations")\]

-   _[Forbes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes_\(magazine\) "Forbes (magazine)")_ "30 Under 30" (2016) [\[3\]](#cite_note-Forbes_30_under_30_long-3)
-   _[TheMarker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheMarker "TheMarker")_ "40 Under 40" (2015)[\[19\]](#cite_note-Marker-19)
-   Selection board, Station F (2017)[\[20\]](#cite_note-station_F-20)
-   Global Shaper, [World Economic Forum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Economic_Forum "World Economic Forum")[\[21\]](#cite_note-global_shapers-21)
-   Board member, StartUp Nation Central [\[22\]](#cite_note-bloomberg-22)
-   Schusterman ROI Community [\[23\]](#cite_note-23)
-   President's Award for Outstanding Military Achievements (Technical Innovation), 2009[\[12\]](#cite_note-pres_award-12)
-   Intel World Science Competition, 2nd prize, Computer Science, 2006 [\[9\]](#cite_note-Isra_Post_science_prize-9)
-   Israel Young Scientist, 1st prize, 2006[\[4\]](#cite_note-science_prize_jpost-4)

Ouzan speaks about technology, [FinTech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FinTech "FinTech"), cyber-security and entrepreneurship. In 2012, he spoke on heightened cyber security threats at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos.[\[24\]](#cite_note-Yahoo_WEC-24) Among other talks, he delivered the keynote address at the _[Wired](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wired_\(magazine\) "Wired (magazine)") Money_ conference in London and lectured about his framework for building [hacker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker "Hacker") teams at the _Hello Tomorrow_ conference in Paris.[\[25\]](#cite_note-25)[\[26\]](#cite_note-Hello-26)

1.  [↑](#cite_ref-tech_challenge_idf_1-0) Shamah, David (December 26, 2013). ["Diaspora youth arrive for top-drawer Tech Challenge"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/diaspora-youth-arrive-for-top-drawer-tech-challenge/). _Times of Israel_. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
2.  [↑](#cite_ref-wired_speaking_2-0) Rundle, Michael (July 7, 2015). ["BillGuard's Raphael Ouzan: how to form a habit for financial sanity"](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/billguard-raphael-ouzan-wired-money-2015). _Wired_. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
3.  [1](#cite_ref-Forbes_30_under_30_long_3-0) [2](#cite_ref-Forbes_30_under_30_long_3-1) [3](#cite_ref-Forbes_30_under_30_long_3-2) Herlit, Zofing (March 3, 2016). ["הבנקאות במשבר, כל בנק מקים לעצמו היום חברת פינטק": רפאל אוזן על עולם הולך ומשתנה"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180221035512/http://www.forbes.co.il/news/new.aspx?Pn6VQ=&0r9VQ=EHEJF). _Forbes (Israel)_. Archived from [the original](http://www.forbes.co.il/news/new.aspx?Pn6VQ=&0r9VQ=EHEJF) on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
4.  [1](#cite_ref-science_prize_jpost_4-0) [2](#cite_ref-science_prize_jpost_4-1) Siegel-Itkovich, Judy (April 1, 2006). ["ISRAELI 'BRAINCHILDREN' FORGE NEW PATHS"](https://www.jpost.com/Health-and-Sci-Tech/Science-And-Environment/Israeli-brainchildren-forge-new-paths). _Jerusalem Post_. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
5.  [1](#cite_ref-Next_Web_5-0) [2](#cite_ref-Next_Web_5-1) Knowles, Jamilah (August 20, 2012). ["Military to Mission Intelligence: A taste of startup life in Tel Aviv with Raphael Ouzan of BillGuard"](https://thenextweb.com/events/2012/08/20/military-mission-intelligence-taste-startup-life-tel-aviv-raphael-ouzan-billguard/#.tnw_y8KnuBLU). _The Next Web_. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
6.  [↑](#cite_ref-emigrated_at_15_6-0) Debus, Michael (June 1, 2006). ["Raphaël Ouzan: a young immigrant French gifted in Israel"](http://www.israelvalley.com/news/2006/06/01/2116/raphael-ouzan-un-jeune-immigre-francais-surdoue-en-israel). _Israel-France Chamber of Commerce_. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
7.  [↑](#cite_ref-7) Egnal, Daryl (November 20, 2012). ["Naale Comes of Age – An Elite High School Experience in Israel"](https://www.jewishboston.com/naale-comes-of-age-an-elite-high-school-experience-in-israel/). _Jewish Boston_. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
8.  [↑](#cite_ref-JPost_2013_8-0) Sherman, Joseph J. (July 30, 2013). ["HIGH-TECH ALIYA: A START-UP IMMIGRANT SHARES SECRETS TO SUCCESS"](https://www.jpost.com/LifeStyle/High-Tech-Aliya-A-start-up-immigrant-shares-secrets-to-success-321519). _Jerusalem Post_. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
9.  [1](#cite_ref-Isra_Post_science_prize_9-0) [2](#cite_ref-Isra_Post_science_prize_9-1) [3](#cite_ref-Isra_Post_science_prize_9-2) Isra Post Staff (May 5, 2006). ["Raphael Ouzan"](https://www.israpost.com/Community/articles/Pop_Show.php?articleID=7762). _Isra Post_. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
10.  [↑](#cite_ref-10) Shmadel, Lutz D. (2012-06-10). [_Dictionary of Minor Planet Names_](https://books.google.com/books?id=aeAg1X7afOoC&q=raphael+ouzan+planet&pg=PA1022) (5th ed.). Springer. p. 1022\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-3-540-00238-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-540-00238-3 "Special:BookSources/978-3-540-00238-3"). Retrieved 30 April 2017.
11.  [↑](#cite_ref-American_Banker_11-0) Sposito, Sean (April 18, 2013). ["Analytics Startup BillGuard Has Flagged $50M in Suspect Charges"](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/analytics-startup-billguard-has-flagged-50m-in-suspect-charges). _American Banker_. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
12.  [1](#cite_ref-pres_award_12-0) [2](#cite_ref-pres_award_12-1) Temperton, James (September 24, 2015). ["Billguard financial security app acquired for $30m"](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/billguard-acquired-prosper-marketplace). _Wired_. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
13.  [↑](#cite_ref-prosper_acquires_13-0) McGrath, Maggie (September 25, 2015). ["Prosper's $30 Million BillGuard Acquisition Is A Sign That Alternative Lending Isn't So Alternative"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2015/09/25/prospers-30-million-billguard-acquisition-is-a-sign-that-alternative-lending-isnt-so-alternative/#3211d6346796). _Forbes_. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
14.  [↑](#cite_ref-14) Fast Company Staff (February 9, 2015). ["The World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Israel"](https://www.fastcompany.com/3041653/the-worlds-top-10-most-innovative-companies-of-2015-in-israel). _Fast Company_. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
15.  [↑](#cite_ref-15) Prosper (October 16, 2016). ["Prosper Daily Helps Consumers Make Smarter Credit Card Decisions with the Launch of Credit Card Optimizer™"](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161007005120/en/Prosper-Daily-Helps-Consumers-Smarter-Credit-Card). Prosper Press Release via Business Wire. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
16.  [↑](#cite_ref-Istrael_Tech_16-0) ["Israel Tech Challenge added $31.5M to the economy after training 400 new engineers from abroad"](http://israeltechallenge.com/blog/). _israeltechchallenge.com_. Israel Tech Challenge. May 17, 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
17.  [↑](#cite_ref-RO_on_hacking_17-0) Ouzan, Raphael (October 20, 2013). ["Young, talented and smart? Meeting in Israel to hack"](https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/young-talented-and-smart-meeting-in-israel-to-hack/). _Times of Israel_.
18.  [↑](#cite_ref-Sionisme_18-0) Eltes, Julie, and, Veiber, Chen. ["Sionisme 2.0"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161114045854/http://www.haaretz.com/haaretz-labels/essence/1.752828). _Haaretz (French Essence edition)_. Archived from [the original](https://www.haaretz.com/haaretz-labels/essence/1.752828) on November 14, 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.`{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news "Template:Cite news")}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list "Category:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list"))
19.  [↑](#cite_ref-Marker_19-0) TheMarker Staff (February 20, 2015). ["40 הצעירים המבטיחים"](http://www.themarker.com/st/c/prod/tm/2015/40/2/#chap3). _TheMarker_. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
20.  [↑](#cite_ref-station_F_20-0) Beuth, Marie-Catherine (February 3, 2017). ["Ces entrepreneurs choisiront les startups qui rejoindront le campus géant de Xavier Niel à Paris"](http://www.businessinsider.fr/station-f-selection-board-100-entrepreneurs). _Business Insider (France)_. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
21.  [↑](#cite_ref-global_shapers_21-0) ["Raphael Ouzan, Global Shaper"](https://www.globalshapers.org/shapers/raphael-ouzan). _globalshapers.org_. World Economic Forum/Global Shapers Initiative. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
22.  [↑](#cite_ref-bloomberg_22-0) Wainer, David (March 5, 2015). ["Israeli Startup Nation Gets Political as Techies Seek Change"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-05/from-tech-to-politics-two-entrepreneurs-exemplify-israel-rifts). _Bloomberg News_. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
23.  [↑](#cite_ref-23) ["Raphael Ouzan"](https://www.schusterman.org/users/raphael-ouzan). _schusterman.org_. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
24.  [↑](#cite_ref-Yahoo_WEC_24-0) ["BillGuard CTO to Address Global Leaders at World Economic Forum in Wake of Heightened Cyber Security Threats"](https://www.yahoo.com/news/billguard-cto-address-global-leaders-180800077.html). _Yahoo News via Marketwire via WEC_. January 23, 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
25.  [↑](#cite_ref-25) ["How to build an A-Team - Raphael Ouzan, Founder & CTO of BillGuard"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQZdASfc5I). _youtube.com_. Hello Tomorrow via YouTube. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
26.  [↑](#cite_ref-Hello_26-0) ["Speakers"](http://summit.hello-tomorrow.org/speakers/). _hello-tomorrow_. Hello Tomorrow. Retrieved 2 May 2017.

-   [Israel Tech Challenge](https://israeltechallenge.com/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180413120152/https://www.israeltechallenge.com/) 2018-04-13 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
-   [Start Up Nation Central](https://www.startupnationcentral.org/)