Nova Taps Tech Veteran Rami Hadar for Board to Steer Growth Strategy

REHOVOT, Israel – December 29, 2025 – In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its leadership amid a rapidly evolving global market, semiconductor equipment leader Nova announced today the appointment of seasoned technology executive and investor Rami Hadar to its Board of Directors. The appointment was effective as of December 24, 2025.

Hadar's addition to the board comes at a pivotal time for Nova and the broader semiconductor industry, which continues to navigate a complex landscape of technological advancement, intense competition, and significant geopolitical pressures.

A Strategic Appointment for Future Growth

Nova's leadership has framed the appointment as a direct effort to reinforce its long-term growth strategy. Hadar, a Managing Partner at the prominent Israeli growth fund Claridge Israel, brings over two and a half decades of executive and investment experience in the high-tech sector. His career is marked by a proven ability to guide strategic transformations and execute complex merger and acquisition (M&A) activities.

"As Nova continues to execute its growth strategy, we are excited to welcome Rami Hadar to our Board of Directors," said Eitan Oppenhaim, Nova's Chairman of the Board, in the official announcement. "Rami's extensive experience in scaling technology companies, driving innovation, and creating shareholder value will be instrumental in supporting Nova's strategic initiatives and long-term success."

This endorsement highlights the board's focus on leveraging Hadar’s specific skill set to navigate future challenges and opportunities. His background in identifying and nurturing high-growth technology firms from the investor's side provides a unique and valuable perspective for a publicly traded company like Nova, which must constantly innovate to maintain its edge.

Hadar's Deep Roots in Tech and Investment

Rami Hadar is a well-regarded figure within the Israeli technology ecosystem. As a Managing Partner at Claridge Israel, he is at the forefront of identifying and scaling innovative companies. The fund's focus on growth-stage technology companies aligns perfectly with Nova's position as an established leader seeking to expand its market share and technological capabilities.

Throughout his extensive career, Hadar has held numerous board and executive positions at prominent tech firms, giving him a comprehensive understanding of corporate governance and operational excellence. This experience is critical for a company operating in a capital-intensive and highly regulated industry. His expertise in fostering innovation will be a key asset as Nova works to develop next-generation solutions for its clients.

"I am honored to join Nova's Board of Directors and contribute to the company's exciting journey," Hadar stated. "Nova operates at the forefront of the semiconductor industry, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to help the company capitalize on emerging opportunities and deliver sustained growth."

His statement reflects confidence in Nova's market position and a readiness to apply his strategic acumen to the company's specific challenges.

Nova's Pivotal Role in Advanced Chip Manufacturing

Headquartered in Rehovot, Israel, Nova is a critical player in the semiconductor manufacturing value chain. The company specializes in advanced metrology—the science of measurement—providing essential process control solutions that are indispensable for modern semiconductor fabrication plants, or "fabs."

As chipmakers like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel race to produce smaller, faster, and more powerful semiconductors—pushing the boundaries of physics with 3-nanometer and 2-nanometer process nodes—the margin for error shrinks to near zero. Even microscopic defects or variations can render millions of dollars' worth of chips useless. This is where Nova's technology becomes paramount.

Nova's portfolio of high-precision hardware and sophisticated software allows chip manufacturers to gain deep insights into the fabrication process. Its systems measure and monitor materials, chemical compositions, and optical properties at various stages of the manufacturing lifecycle. This enables customers to improve performance, dramatically increase product yields, and accelerate their time to market for new, cutting-edge devices. In essence, Nova provides the "eyes" that allow fabs to see and control processes at an atomic scale, making the production of the world's most advanced electronics possible.

Navigating a Complex and Volatile Global Market

The appointment of a director with Hadar's strategic experience is particularly timely given the headwinds facing the semiconductor industry. Nova's own forward-looking statements acknowledge a host of risks, from geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains and trade policies, particularly concerning the U.S. and China, to macroeconomic instability, including inflation and recessionary pressures.

Furthermore, as an Israeli company, Nova operates within a unique regional context, which includes ongoing security considerations. Having a board member with deep experience in the Israeli tech landscape and a global investment perspective provides an added layer of strategic oversight to help navigate these multifaceted challenges.

Hadar’s background in M&A is also significant. The semiconductor industry has been marked by periods of intense consolidation. His expertise will be invaluable should Nova choose to pursue acquisitions to enhance its technology portfolio or expand its market reach. By strengthening its board with a seasoned strategist like Rami Hadar, Nova is signaling to investors and the market that it is proactively equipping itself not just to weather potential storms, but to find and seize opportunities for growth within them.

The move reinforces the company's commitment to robust governance and strategic foresight as it continues to supply the foundational technology that powers the digital world.