Houzz is Google Play’s “Best App”
Israeli-made Houzz won "Best App" in the first-ever Google Play awards. Houzz, created by Adi Tatarko and Alon Cohen, is an app for the popular home-design website. Adi and Alon previously won Forbes “newest power couple” award.
Anadot is a “Cool Vendor”
Israel’s Anodot, the real time analytics and automated business incident detection company, has been named a “Cool Vendor” in Analytics in the 2016 Gartner report. Gartner reports Anodot as one of five “innovative vendors that are redefining the types of analysis that it is feasible for organizations to perform.”
VW invests $300 million in Gett
German car giant Volkswagen has invested $300 million in Israel’s Gett. Gett offers a range of transport and courier services in 60 cities worldwide including New York, London, and Moscow. Ironically, Gett is a direct competitor to German taxi company Uber.
An ultra-Orthodox investment club
The 12Angels investment club focuses exclusively on high-tech startups headed by ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) entrepreneurs in the KamaTech accelerator . The club recognizes the growing Haredi participation in Israel’s high-tech ecosystem.
Incentives to airlines for direct flights
Israel will provide subsidies to airlines that launch new non-stop gateway flights to Israel. To be eligible, the flight must be from an airport located more than 74 miles from an airport that already offers direct flights to Israel.
Connecting Michigan and Israel
The Michigan Israel Business Bridge is piloting Michigan Israel Connect to match companies in both countries in order to access new supplier opportunities. One goal is to include business incubators, accelerators and startups, many of which specialize in technology.
New Zealand trade mission to Israel
The Trans-Tasman Business Circle has organized an Innovation Mission to Israel (May 29 to Jun 1). It will include a record number of over 50 business and academic leaders, including the Chief Science Adviser to the New Zealand Government, Sir Peter Gluckman.
Unemployment down to 4.9 per cent
April 2016 marked a historic drop in the Israeli unemployment rate, which sunk to 4.9 percent compared to 5.3 percent in March. 193,000 people were unemployed in April, down from roughly 208,000 in March.
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Huge Canadian trade delegation
Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne came to Israel on a five-day trade mission together with 130 government officials, academics, scientists and business leaders. Two-way trade in 2015 between Israel and Ontario was almost $1 billion, making Israel Ontario’s fifth largest trading partner. Premier Wynne signed 18 new agreements and partnerships valued at $87 million.
Netanya’s new hotel
Visitors to my home town can now stay at Accor’s luxurious MGallery by Softel hotel. Rebranded from the David Tower hotel in King David street, the MGallery has a spa, heated indoor swimming pool, restaurants and bar and beautiful views of the Mediterranean. Accor also plans to open another Netanya hotel next year.