Israel Active

Ran Korber, co-founder and CEO of Israeli startup Breezometer represented Israeli innovation at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was attended by about 1000 people from 120 countries, including US President Barack Obama.

Israel’s Taboola has signed a 3-year deal worth $45 - $55 million with USA Today’s parent company Gannett. Taboola’s content recommendations will be seamlessly integrated across Gannett’s vast network of digital publishing assets in more than 110 markets.

Israel’s 888 Holding plc, which operates the world’s largest online casino and poker operation, is acquiring the British-Austrian Bwin.party Digital Entertainment for $1.4 billion. The merger will make 888 one of the most dominant players in the online gambling industry.

Kibbutz Revivim in Israel’s Ramat Hanegev is set to become Israel's first kibbutz to launch a startup accelerator. “Hamadgera” (incubator) will uniquely offer three months free accommodation on the kibbutz for Internet and mobile startups participating in the program.

Israeli Benny Shaviv lost $4 million of venture capital on his first startup and had to sell his house to pay his debts. But his new startup Fitness22 is making huge profits without any funding, selling Benny’s innovative fitness apps. One - 5K Runner has over 4 million downloads.

In the largest deal in country’s history, Israel’s Teva has acquired Dublin-based Allergan for $40.5 billion. Teva stated “This strategic acquisition brings together two leading generics businesses with complementary strengths, brands and cultures, providing patients with more affordable access to quality medicines, and creating significant financial benefits for Teva stockholders.”

Avi Hasson explains what his role is as Israel’s Chief Scientist and how his office uses the public-private partnership to fuel Israeli innovation.

21-year-old Israeli Tomer Hen started mobile advertising when still at school. When he graduated from high school he had already made $250,000. His communication skills helped him to launch the Tomer Hen Mobile Marketing College. Now he is CEO of MobCo Media, with 10 employees.

Approval has been given for the building of a 105-meter high building in downtown Jerusalem. The “Freedom Pyramid” will house a hotel, apartments and businesses. Its architect is Daniel Libeskind, who designed the Berlin Jewish Museum and NYC’s World Trade Center Memorial.

Israeli start-up Ecoppia was selected to Red Herring’s Top 100 Europe List. Red Herring selects start-ups they predict will “grow at an explosive rate”. Also, solar industry publication PV Magazine ranked Ecoppia 15th in their list of “50 Array-Changing Technologies.”