Israel Active

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Israel-Colorado Innovation (ICI) Fund is actively looking for new investments in Israel. ICI Fund’s focus is IoT in agriculture, water, construction, industry 4.0, energy, and oil and gas. It hopes to soon close its fourth investment in Israel.

The Israeli government has promised financial support worth NIS 50 million to Israeli start-ups advancing solutions to combat the coronavirus pandemic. It said it will fund most of the development expenses for companies with exceptional impact breakthrough technologies.

Microgreens are harvested 7 to 20 days after seedlings emerge. Young leafy sprouts pack far more flavor and disease-preventing nutrients per gram than adult plants. Israel’s 2BFresh produced 85 tons of microgreens in 2019 for the domestic and overseas markets. Great video.

Following US FDA approval Israel’s Redhill has launched its Talicia treatment for H.pylori (Helicobacter) infections in the US. RedHill’s expanded sales force will promote Talicia to approximately 25,000 gastroenterologists, primary care physicians and other healthcare providers.

Israel’s largest seaport, Ashdod, is fully operational, at a level similar to last year despite the global coronavirus outbreak. Some 97% of cargo to Israel, by weight, arrives by ship and the government has assured the country there will be no shortages of essential products.

Venture Capital funds and large multinationals are still investing in Israeli startups. This week Pitango completed raising a $250 million growth fund; Pyramid Analytics raised $25 million; Quantum Machines $17.5 million; ePlane $9 million; Revuze $5.1 million etc. etc.

This article highlights that many Israeli startups will be nimble enough to survive the “black swan” coronavirus event. The 2008 financial crisis provides an historical precedent. They are boosting their on-line presence, preserving cash and increasing stocks held by foreign distributors.

China’s Weibo has led a $3.5 million funding round in social media startup Y-Platform, founded by Israel’s Raz and Ami Gal Or. Y-Platform’s social media accounts depict the daily lives of foreigners in China. It has 70 million subscribers on Weibo, Bilbili, Tiktok, and WeChat.

The Israeli wine industry in the Judean Hills grows literally from strength to strength . For example, Gush Etzion winery produces 100,000 bottles a year and the Judean Hills Quartet is a group of 4 boutique wineries producing top quality, award-winning wines.

Israel’s Adam Neumann was ousted last year from the WeWork co-working multi-billion-dollar company he founded. In December he returned to Israel and is still here 3 months later.  What is he doing?  This interview with his Mum is a real “eye-opener”.