Iyar Schaffer is an Israeli entrepreneur and technology leader, best known as the co-founder and CEO of DriveNets, a networking technology company specializing in disaggregated and cloud-native solutions for telecom operators. Launched in 2019 as a venture from the Team8 incubator, DriveNets has quickly gained prominence in the industry, securing significant funding from investors including those connected to Nadav Zafrir and partnerships with major global telecom providers. Under Schaffer's leadership, the company has focused on innovative routing and switching architectures to address the scalability challenges of modern networks, positioning it as a key player in the shift away from traditional vendor-locked systems.

Prior to founding DriveNets, Schaffer served as an officer in Unit 8200, Israel's premier signals intelligence and cyber unit, where he developed expertise in cybersecurity, data processing, and network technologies. This military experience is emblematic of the 'Unit 8200 alumni' network that has spawned numerous successful Israeli tech startups, including companies like Check Point and Palo Alto Networks. Schaffer's transition from military service to entrepreneurship reflects a common path in Israel's 'Startup Nation' ecosystem, leveraging defense-honed skills for commercial innovation.

Schaffer continues to lead DriveNets from its headquarters in Ra'anana, Israel, driving its expansion into international markets and contributing to the broader discourse on open networking standards. His work underscores the intersection of military technology transfer and private sector growth in Israel's high-tech landscape.