Monthly Archives: January 2018

Things to do in January

Posted on January 7, 2018

Comedian Chris Rock is performing in Tel Aviv on 8th Jan. And Jan 16-20 sees the first edition of the African Film Festival in Tel Aviv.  The second link suggests activities in Jerusalem. https://www.touristisrael.com/things-to-do-in-israel-in-january/3792/ https://www.touristisrael.com/24-hours-in-jerusalem/16443/

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The Master guitarist

Posted on January 7, 2018

Legendary US guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer Steve Vai will hold a master class in Tel Aviv in March. The three-time Grammy Award winner was voted the “10th Greatest Guitarist” by Guitar World magazine, and has sold over 15 … Continue reading →

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Israel, wonders of bird migration

Posted on January 7, 2018

For those readers who have difficulty sleeping, this is a great restful video to help you relax before going to bed. https://www.youtube.com/embed/G8_kW3ILTvs?rel=0

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2017 exports top $100 billion

Posted on January 7, 2018

Israel’s Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) has calculated that Israel’s exports of goods and services exceeded $100 billion in 2017 – 5% more than in 2016. Goods exports to the European Union (EU) grew 20% to $16 billion, accounting … Continue reading →

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Toyota invests in Israeli robotics

Posted on January 7, 2018

I reported previously (Jan 2017) on Israel’s Intuition Robotics, and its ElliQ empathic desk lamp. Intuition has since raised tens of millions of dollars, including from Toyota and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking. https://www.intuitionrobotics.com/copy-of-press-release-funding-14m https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Toyota-backed-fund-invests-in-Israeli-robotics-startup https://www.youtube.com/embed/x43Jo44nW9M?rel=0 https://www.youtube.com/embed/5EvS9zeH-Yc?rel=0

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NASDAQ to help grow Israeli startups

Posted on January 7, 2018

I reported previously (Jan 2016) on the NASDAQ joint venture with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to setup a new private exchange for Israeli startups. Now, NASDAQ and Israel’s LeumiTech have launched a joint program “Gateway to Global Growth” to … Continue reading →

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Kibbutzim invest in hi-tech

Posted on January 7, 2018

2017 saw a 46% increase on 2016 in kibbutz investments into startup ventures, totaling some NIS 76 million. 24 kibbutzim invested in 19 startup companies. Kibbutzim are also renting space for local entrepreneurs to set-up new businesses. https://www.timesofisrael.com/claiming-to-be-israels-first-startup-ventures-kibbutzim-jump-on-tech-bandwagon/

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Israeli smart farming gets preferential funding

Posted on January 7, 2018

A report by Start-Up Nation Central shows that during the first half of 2017 Israeli on-farm technology companies raised 7% of global investment in such technologies – out of all proportion to Israel’s tiny size. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/israeli-smart-farming-winning-outsized-share-of-global-funding—report-by-start-up-nation-central-653001423.html

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A cyber incubator with Japan’s NEC

Posted on January 7, 2018

Tel Aviv University (TAU) and Japanese electronics giant NEC are founding AlphaC – a new incubator for early stage cyber startups. Ten early stage ventures will join an intensive three-month program, receiving access to TAU resources, workspace, business contacts and … Continue reading →

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A $240 million bio-tech fund

Posted on January 7, 2018

Israel-based venture capital firm Pontifax raised another fund of $240 million – its fifth such fund. Excess demand for the fund saw it closed within two months, and Pontifax is expected to invest most of the money raised in the … Continue reading →

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