Israel Active

Israel ranked 4th of 48 countries for quality of retirement income systems, according to the 2024 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index. Netherlands, Iceland, Denmark and Israel all had overall scores above 80. The average of all countries analyzed was 63.4. The U.S. scored 60.4.

Despite the war, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is on track to close 2024 with one of the world’s best returns. The TA-125 has gained about 27% year-to-date, far surpassing most European markets. Foreign and Israeli investors made significant purchases of Israeli shares in November.

Cyprus is installing an Israeli (IAI-built) Barak MX anti-aircraft system, just as Slovakia purchased one for €560 million. Azerbaijan bought one in 2023 (see previously). Meanwhile, Israel’s Elbit has just sold $175 million of advanced aircraft defense systems to two European countries.

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US Investment firm AE acquired Israel’s for a minimum of . American investment fund FTV Capital has acquired Israel’s for . Italy’s TeamSystem has acquired Israel’s (Green Invoice) for . Israel’s has acquired Israel’s for . US Blockchain giant Chainalysis has acquired Israel’s for an estimated . US Boomi has acquired Israel’s for an estimated .

Four months after crisis-hit Intel shut it down, the Ignite startup acceleration program (see previously) has re-launched as an independent accelerator. It has support from the Israel Innovation Authority and Israel’s Economy Ministry, with many corporations expected to join. Intel is its first new client!

Up-to-date article about the Negev-based innovation center operator Synergy7 (see previously) and its program to open business development offices for early-stage startups in the US, Singapore and the UAE.

Israel’s VGames, one of the most active funds in the gaming sector, has raised $142 million for its third fund. The gaming industry is estimated to account for about 2% of Israel's GDP, with some 200 companies employing around 14,000 people.

Israel’s XTEND (see previously) has won a $8.8 million contract with the US Dept of Defense for its PSIO small Unmanned Aerial Systems. It is is the first system of its kind to receive approval from the U.S. DoD for both indoor and outdoor operations. The system has proved itself in Gaza.

Despite the ongoing war 2024 has seen a 78% surge in the value of exits by Israeli companies. The total amount reached (up to Dec 8) is $13.4 billion, compared to $7.5 billion in 2023. Excluding IPOs, it is 9% higher than the historic record exits of 2021.