Israeli startups raise $1 billion
81 Israeli startups raised a total of $1.02 billion in the first quarter of 2016 - on a par with the rate achieved in 2015. 33 startups raised over $10 million each. $149 million (12% of the total) was raised by 10 cybersecurity companies – Israel’s hottest hi-tech industry.
Record numbers travel by rail
March was a record month for passenger numbers on Israel Railways. Some 225,000 Israelis used Israel Railways on an average workday, with a total of 5.4 million rides during the month. Reasons for the increase include more frequent trains, more available seats and new stations.
More cybersecurity funding
Israeli cybersecurity startup EnSilo has just raised $19 million to expand its real-time data protection platform. EnSilo preempts attacks and is currently in use by a number of Fortune 100 companies along with leading defense contractors and payment solutions worldwide.
More power to the loyalty card
Israeli startup AppCard empowers thousands of retailers to market directly to their customers in a personalized way. AppCard has raised $20 million to fuel the huge growth in its business generated from the latest version of its platform and further develop its technology.
Sapiens goes live at RSA
Israel’s Sapiens International Corporation has announced the successful go-live of Sapiens Reinsurance at Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA) – one of the world’s leading multi-national general insurance groups, serving customers in around 140 countries.
12,000 new homes in Netanya
The Israeli Government has signed a municipality agreement for 12,000 new housing units in several neighborhoods of Netanya. 75,000 new homes are targeted to be constructed in the coming years.
Israeli London taxi cabs
BDS supporters can no longer use most London taxis, thanks to Israel’s Gett buying British black cab company Radio Taxis. Gett becomes the UK’s largest black cab app, with half of all the licensed taxis in London. The buyout was welcomed by London's Licensed Taxi Drivers Association.
Natural gas estimates tripled
Israel’s Energy Ministry has tripled its estimate of the volume of still-undiscovered natural gas in Israeli waters. The new assessment is a potential 2,100 billion cubic meters (BCM) based on a report by French consulting firm BeicipFranlab. Tamar and Leviathan gas fields have already yielded 750-950 BCM of natural gas.
Moody’s confirms Israel’s A1 rating
International credit rating agency Moody's confirmed Israel's A1 rating with a stable outlook. It highlighted the economic flexibility and great effectiveness of the government, which works to improve Israel's debt and financing figures. Only Israel's geopolitical risks prevents a higher rating.
A global water company
Israel’s Desalitech has reached the finals of Global Water Intelligence’s Global Water Award for Breakthrough Water Technology of the Year, for the second consecutive year. Desalitech’s water purification systems are used by several Fortune 500 companies, including Coca Cola.