Johann Kremenetzky was born in Odessa, Russia (now in the Ukraine) and at age of thirty moved to Vienna, where he founded the first electric bulb factory. That factory grew to become one of the largest in Europe. Later (1920) he established a factory for electric instruments, and the Silikat factory in Tel-Aviv, in partneship with Boris Goldberg.
Kremenetzky joined Herzl after the publication of Der Judenstaat (“The Jewish State”) (1896), and because of his capabilities and friendship with Herzl, he was elected to the Zionist Executive from its beginning until it moved to Koeln, Germany, after Herzl’s death (1897-1905). Kremenetzky was involved in establishing the Jewish National Fund (J.N.F.), after he wrote a memorandum to the Fifth Zionist Congress (1901) and consequently he was the first chairman of the Jewish National Fund. Kremenetzky headed the new organization until its headquarters moved to Koeln (1907). From 1905 to1913, Kremenetzky was member of the Zionist General Council. Herzl nominated him as one of the executors of his will. He was also one of the founders of Herzl’s Archive. Kremenetzky was made honourary citizen of Vienna (1930), to mark his 80th birthday.