On June 22, Air Canada celebrated their first direct flight from Montreal-Trudeau airport to Tel Aviv. The service operates twice weekly until mid-October. Just four days earlier, on Jun 18, Air Transit celebrated their first direct flight on the same … Continue reading →

I reported previously (3 times) on Algatechnologies which makes the anti-oxidant, AstaPure®, and other products from microalgae grown in Israel’s Arava desert. AlgaTech has just opened a New York City-based subsidiary to increase sales of its products to the North … Continue reading →

Israeli fruits and flavors company Frutarom has made another acquisition – its seventh in the current year.  This time it’s an Israel company – Turpaz, buying a controlling 51% for NIS 54 million. Turpaz develops, produces and markets fragrance solutions. … Continue reading →

Two Brazilian women are making a documentary about female entrepreneurs. After visiting 20 countries, they arrived in Jerusalem. At a meeting at the Tower of David Museum, local entrepreneurs expressed hope that the film would inspire young Jerusalem women to … Continue reading →

Daimler’s Mercedes Benz Vans has invested $50 million and enlisted Israeli-founded startup Via Transportation to enter Europe’s ride-sharing market – initially in London. Passengers wanting to travel in the same direction will use Via’s mobile app to share a single … Continue reading →

German life-science giant Merck is founding a technological innovation laboratory in Yavne, called PMatX that will function as an incubator for Israeli startups. Its investments will total €20 million and will focus on next-generation electronics. http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-merck-launches-20m-israel-incubator-1001202431

Israeli startup ZIPY simplifies the online shopping experience by consolidating shipping prices, carriers, taxes, etc. It enables shipping purchases from eBay, Amazon, Aliexpress and dealextreme to Israel, Romania and Russia. All communications are in your local language. http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Tech-Talk-Zipy-makes-buying-from-international-e-commerce-sites-easy-502916 https://www.youtube.com/embed/1X4sNzNZy68?rel=0

Israel’s StageOne Ventures has announced the closure of its third venture capital fund, with $110 million in committed capital to invest in 15-18 Israeli startups. StageOne focuses on deep-technology endeavors in B2B software and next-generation IT infrastructure. http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-stageone-ventures-closes-110m-vc-fund-1001203934

The two most innovative nations, (see 22nd Jan) Switzerland and Israel, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation in the financial services industry. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-switzerland-sign-accords-for-greater-financial-services-cooperation/

August saw another record level for Israel’s Foreign currency deposits.  The new level is just over $111 billion – up nearly a billion dollars from the end of July’s level. http://www.boi.org.il/en/NewsAndPublications/PressReleases/Pages/7-9-17.aspx