Israel Active

I reported previously that low cost airline Ryanair was to commence flights out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport.  The destinations have been confirmed as Italy (Milan), Germany (Baden-Baden) and Poland (Gdansk, Poznan, Wroclaw and Krakow) commencing Nov 2017.

I reported previously that Hainan Airlines of China started a three flights a week service between Tel Aviv and Beijing.  The route is so popular that Hainan has now increased the frequency to five flights a week for May and June.

Bet Shemesh Engines has won a $37 million extension to its 2016 $69 million deals with Spanish company Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP Group). ITP is owned by UK engine giant Rolls Royce and is participating in a General Electric engine upgrade project.

I reported previously on Israel’s LightCyber and its ability to detect cyber-attacks using behavioral analytics. It has just been acquired by Palo Alto Networks for $130 million, becoming the US company’s second Israeli acquisition after buying Cyvera in 2014 for $200 million.

OurCrowd, the leading global equity crowdfunding platform, hosted Israel’s largest-ever investment event at Jerusalem’s International Conference Center. Over 6,000 attended, from 82 countries, including startups, investors and 200 multinational corporations.

Israel’s AppsFlyer allows mobile advertisers to see how well (or badly) their latest campaign performed from any source (e.g. Facebook, email etc.)  The software has been installed on 98% of all smartphones – 2.1 billion devices. AppsFlyer has just raised $56 million of funds and its business is flying!

Israeli startup Kvishi’s on-demand laundry pickup and delivery app is expanding fast and was concerned about its lack of funds.  It then turned to its customers with whom it sharing dirty laundry with and the equity crowdfunding campaign has already raised about $150,000.

Israel’s Wochit enables newsrooms, editorial teams and social media editors to capture and expand audience attention through the power of video. It has just received a strategic investment from PA Group - parent company of the Press Association for UK and Ireland.

In partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Education, Masa Israel Journey is to bring 300 overseas graduates to Israel to teach English as a Second Language. It is part of Masa’s Teaching Fellows program. Participants are paid to teach, plus volunteer on programs to learn Israeli culture.

Israel’s only Michelin star chef Moshik Roth is opening his gourmet sandwich chain EIGHT all over Israel. Every item on the menu is just 8 shekels ($2.1) each.  Sandwich fillings include corned beef, duck and rib eye. Other menu items include entrecote steak and vegetable omelet.