# Dori Stein

> Dori Stein is a technology entrepreneur, Fornova co-founder and former CEO, and Managing Director of Priority Hospitality, an appointment announced in December 2025. He previously founded diamond-industry software company SMBS, sold in 2009, and Goldenfeeds, a retail product information business. His work spans hotel distribution intelligence, international business development, founder pitch coaching and investor introductions.

- **Role:** Managing Director at Priority Hospitality
- **Organizations:** Priority Hospitality, Fornova, Goldenfeeds, SMBS, Connection Catalyst
- **Education:** Undergraduate studies in law and accounting, as reported in the December 2025 appointment coverage, Tel Aviv University
- **Known for:** Founded SMBS and completed its sale in 2009., Co-founded Fornova and led the company as CEO from 2015 to the end of 2022., Led Fornova during its $17 million Series B in 2017 and HotelsBI acquisition in 2019.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2009** — Founded and led SMBS, an e-commerce applications business serving the diamond industry.
- **2009** — SMBS was sold, according to Stein’s Topmate biography.
- **2011** — Goldenfeeds launched as part of the Fornova Technology Group; Stein identifies himself as its founder.
- **2015** — Became CEO of Fornova after overseeing sales and business development.
- **2017** — Fornova announced a $17 million Series B led by Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners, with Waypoint Capital and JAL Ventures participating.
- **2019** — Fornova announced the HotelsBI acquisition on March 4.
- **2021** — Described returning from London to Israel to be closer to family and Fornova’s R&D team.
- **2022** — Announced departure as Fornova CEO, backing successor David Samuel and remaining an investor and shareholder; his Topmate biography dates his CEO tenure to the end of 2022.
- **2025** — Publicly described his founder pitch coaching approach on LinkedIn.
- **2025-12** — Appointed Managing Director of Priority Hospitality, replacing Einav Peleg.

## Achievements

- Founded SMBS and completed its sale in 2009.
- Co-founded Fornova and led the company as CEO from 2015 to the end of 2022.
- Led Fornova during its $17 million Series B in 2017 and HotelsBI acquisition in 2019.
- Helped build Fornova to a reported 200-person team across 10 countries by 2021.
- Appointed to lead Priority Hospitality in December 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2025-12** — Priority announced Stein as Managing Director of Priority Hospitality; Ben Karniel publicly confirmed the appointment and succession from Einav Peleg.
- **2025-01** — Published his approach to founder pitch coaching, emphasizing founder stories before slide edits.

## Links

- Website: https://www.connectioncatalyst.ai/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doristein/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dori-stein
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21