Author Archives: MichaelOrdman

AI camera shopping trolleys

By the end of March, thirty of Israel’s Shufersal’s 395 Israeli stores will deploy 2,000 smart shopping trolley cameras and screens from Israel’s Shopic (see here previously). The AI system will allow customers to skip the checkout. https://www.timesofisrael.com/startups-clip-on-device-for-smart-carts-deployed-at-shufersal/

Posted in Economy & Business | Leave a comment

5-star hotel news

The Vera Hotel is Tel Aviv’s first boutique hotel to banish single-use plastic entirely. Soap and shampoo bottles replaced by dispensers; water-filter systems, and biodegradable coffee cups. Meanwhile, Israel’s Fattal Group has acquired UK’s Brighton Grand and London’s Dilly hotels. … Continue reading

Posted in Economy & Business | Leave a comment

Commercializing biofuel from castor beans

Israel’s Casterra, a subsidiary of Israel’s Evogene (see here previously), is partnering with a major energy company to cultivate its unique Israeli castor varieties at commercial scale. The aim is for these to provide the basis for a new biofuel … Continue reading

Posted in Economy & Business | Leave a comment

World number two in FoodTech investments

The non-profit Good Food Institute (GFI) Israel has estimated that Israel invested $454 million in alternative proteins in 2022. This was about 15% of the capital raised for the sector globally – second only to the US. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hk8nh001as https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-startups-rank-second-after-us-in-alternative-protein-investments-in-2022/

Posted in Economy & Business | Leave a comment

Israel exports crude oil

Israel has exported its first-ever shipment of crude oil. The cargo of hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) was extracted from Israel’s Karish natural gas field. This was then converted into high-demand light sweet crude oil and sold through Vitol commodity traders … Continue reading

Posted in Economy & Business | Leave a comment

Economy grew 6.5% in 2022

Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Israel’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 6.5% in 2022. GDP per capita growth last year was 70% above the OECD average of 2.6%. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-economy-grew-65-in-2022-1001438599

Posted in Economy & Business | Leave a comment

Israel’s nuclear fusion Institute

Israel’s Energy Ministry is allocating NIS 40 million to fund a National Nuclear Fusion Institute. It will be established and operated jointly by five Israeli universities. Additional partners include the Soreq Nuclear Research Center, and Israeli startup NT-Tao (see here … Continue reading

Posted in Science & Technology | Leave a comment

An accessible beehive

Two Israeli brothers have designed a new beehive that allows you to watch the secret life of bees. The inspiration was when one of the brothers lost the use of his left hand. The cylindrical hive can be managed using … Continue reading

Posted in Science & Technology | Leave a comment

Seven new Israeli spider species

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and University of Madison-Wisconsin have discovered seven new species of funnel web spiders (Agelenidae, Tegenaria), unique to caves in Israel. The lack of light has led to exceptional adaptations e.g., enlarged sensory organs. … Continue reading

Posted in Science & Technology | Leave a comment

From unlocking phones to global crime solving

10 years ago, Israel’s Cellebrite (see here previously) began life unlocking phones which helped police break an international crime organization. It has grown into a world-leader in digital intelligence, providing software to over 5,200 law enforcement agencies in 120 countries. … Continue reading

Posted in Science & Technology | Leave a comment