Shai Agassi launched Better Place, a company dedicated to solving the problem of sustainable mobility, to help bring about an end to oil dependence. He works directly with government leaders, auto manufacturers, energy companies and others to make his vision of zero-emission electric vehicles powered by renewable energy a reality in countries around the world.

In 2008, Israel became the first country to embrace the Better Place model of building an open network to enable mass adoption of electric vehicles and delivering transportation as a sustainable service. Today, Agassi and Better Place are in discussions with more than 25 countries, major auto manufacturers and other potential partners around the globe. TIME Magazine recently named Agassi one of its "Heroes of the Environment 2008."

Before founding Better Place, Agassi was president of the Products and Technology Group at SAP AG and a member of the software company's executive board. Agassi is also an active member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum, where he focuses on climate change and transportation issues.