Author Archives: MichaelOrdman

Exits, takeovers & mergers to 8/10/23

US cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike has acquired Israeli cybersecurity Bionic for approximately $350 million; Israel’s Playtika is acquiring Israeli gaming studio Innplay Labs for $80 million. Israeli blockchain unicorn Fireblocks has acquired Australia’s BlockFold for an estimated $10 million; Israel’s NICE … Continue reading

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Millions for Israeli startups

Israel’s Cyberstarts, a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage Israeli cybersecurity startups, raised $480 million to make follow-on investments. Meanwhile Apax Israel raised $600 million for its second fund AMI 2. Its first fund’s $21 million of Global-e Online … Continue reading

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Swiss bank expands in Israel

Swiss private bank EFG International has launched a wealth management subsidiary in Tel Aviv, after opening representative office in Israel last year. It “aims to capture the significant wealth management opportunities in this market” and offer investment advisory services to … Continue reading

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Israel’s satellite industry is booming

Israeli space companies are experiencing a surge in demand. Since Dec 2022 Israel has launched four satellites. The upturn is led by Israel’s ImageSat International (ISI – see here previously) which provides satellite services to governments around the world. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hkofw8zg6

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NIS 700+ million fund for local tech companies

Israeli financial services firm Value Base has secured NIS 700 million ($182 million) for its new private equity fund VBF to target investments into local, mainly publicly traded tech companies. It expects to increase the fund to NIS 1 billion … Continue reading

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Big funding for Israeli Unicorns

Despite the global slowdown, two Israeli billion-dollar companies attracted confident investors in their latest funding rounds.  First HR management firm HiBob raised $150 million at a valuation of $2.7 billion.  Then Cato Networks raised $238 million at a valuation of … Continue reading

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Merck partners Israeli toxicity predictor

Israel’s Quris-AI (see here previously), which uses AI to predict treatment toxicity, has extended its partnership with German giant Merck KGaA. Quris-AI cuts the cost of treatment development and avoids testing on animals. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/b1repomxp

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On a roll

The solar panels on a roll, manufactured by Israel’s Apollo Power (see here previously) have been independently tested and certified as safe for US and European use. It also allows them to connect to the Israeli electrical grid. Apollo has … Continue reading

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Accelerating Israeli & US SEAL veterans

Traditionally, US and Israeli navy SEALs find work in security after finishing military service. Now the Israeli startup accelerator Version Bravo has been established, to help former special operators take their military leadership and decision-making skills into the business world. … Continue reading

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New metro line approved

Israel has approved the 26km, 22 stations, M2 east-west Metro Line. The line will pass through nine local authorities from Petah Tikva in the east, via Givat Shmuel, Bnei Brak, Givatayim, and Central Tel Aviv, to Holon near Wolfson Hospital. … Continue reading

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