Israel Active

I reported previously on Israeli medical incubator Sanara, jointly setup by Israel’s Teva and Philips Healthcare. Sanara has launched a competition where two winning Israeli medical start-ups will each receive a $1 million seed investment, plus office space.

I reported previously on Israeli computer games startup Codemonkey, that helps children learn how to write computer code by playing and solving puzzles.  Codemonkey has just been acquired by China's giant TAL Education Group for an estimated $20 million.

I reported previously on Israel’s Karanba and its innovative vehicle security. Multinational car parts manufacturer Ficosa is to integrate Karamba’s cyber protection technologies into its telematic control units – mandatory for accident emergency calls in Europe.

Czech automaker Škoda unveiled its new Škoda Scala compact family car to 300 reporters from 22 countries in Petah Tikva. It is the first time a global automaker has globally debuted a car in Israel. The car features a constant internet connection and a new infotainment system. (watch from 23 mins 30)

El Al Israel Airlines has announced its sixth direct route to the United States – Las Vegas. The new (initially once-a-week) service will start in June. El Al already flies direct to New York, Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles. A new direct route to San Francisco begins in May.

Israel has joined the prestigious Financial Action Task Force (FATF) an inter-governmental body committed to fighting the increased global terror financing and money-laundering problem. Israel can now help FATF in its work putting pressure on international sponsors of terror.

I’ve reported previously on some of the huge business construction projects being planned for Jerusalem. This new article contains some more details on both the 300,000 square meters City Entrance project and Mobileye’s new 135,000 square meters campus.

Nefesh B’Nefesh has launched its inaugural Entrepreneur Boot Camp” to foster growth across Israel's South. The 6-week program for Olim (immigrant) innovators is in partnership with KKL Israel, JNF - USA, the Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration.

Tamar Petroleum (owned by Israel’s Delek and US’s Nobel Energy) is to supply up to 1 BCM more Israeli gas worth $200 million to the Jordan Bromine Company and Arab Potash Company. Jordan began receiving Israeli gas in 2017 after a $500 million deal

Five former Intel senior executives have co-founded investment group NextLeap Ventures. It has already invested $1.5 million in five Israeli tech startups – GuardKnox, Zuta-Core, Magentiq Eye, Montfort and TechsoMed. 80 ex-Intel employees came to its recent Pitch Night.