From TV medical drama to startup

Israeli Emily Levi discovered the reason for her chronic pain while watching the TV drama Greys Anatomy. It inspired her to launch her own medical startup Prolo Cure which uses prolotherapy (injections into a joint) to treat chronic pain.

Investing in mobile ultrasound

GE Healthcare is to invest up to $50 million in mobile ultrasound products of Israel’s Pulsenmore (see previously).  GE will also distribute Pulsenmore’s home pregnancy monitors. Pulsenmore is now developing monitors for chronic heart failure, end-stage renal disease and more. l

Re-charging deal for more Israeli buses

Israel’s Electreon (see previously) has signed a $1.9 million agreement with Israel’s fourth-largest bus operator Electra Afikim, to supply its wireless, dynamic charging infrastructure to simultaneously charge 30 buses. Electreon already signed with Israel’s Dan Buses (see ).

1,600+ European funded Israeli projects

Israeli companies and researchers received 1,666 grants totaling over $1.35 billion from Europe’s Horizon 2020 seven-year research and innovation program. Startups mentioned in the article include , , , , and the .

Funds to train haredim in hi-tech

The Israeli government is investing NIS 10 million to fund up to 70 percent of the cost of new innovative high-tech training and placement programs designed to encourage Israel’s haredi population to join the high-tech industry.

NIS 2 billion for the disabled

The Israeli government is allocating 2 billion shekels to help integrate the disabled into the wider community. It will finance a range of new services including assistance from social workers, guidance in running a household, stenographic and translation services into sign language and more.

54% of exports are hi-tech

For the first time in Israel’s history, high tech exports accounted for more than 50% of the country’s exports in 2021. In another first, more than 10% of all Israelis now work in the high-tech industry – some 362.000 employees.

First Unicorns

Israel’s Optibus (see previously) is Israel’s first public transportation industry Unicorn, raising $100 million in funds to reach a valuation of $1.3 billion. Unit.co (see previously) also raised $100 million for a valuation of $1.2 billion and the first banking-as-service platform to gain Unicorn status.

Investment in Israeli startups to 22/5/22

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Investment for all

Investment company Peak is launching its operations in Israel and will allow the general public to invest in Israeli startups alongside venture capital funds. Peak plans to invest only in early-stage startups, with low-value funding rounds, suitable for small investors.