Another $8.3million for 11 projects
The Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has approved $8.3 million in new funding for 11 projects involving US and Israeli companies. The Israeli firms include BrainsGate, MobileOCT, ThetaRay, Orgenesis and Softwheel (from previous newsletters).
Kodak wants to buy Israeli startups
Jeff Clarke, the new CEO of venerable camera-maker Kodak, is in Israel looking to acquire tech startups that can help rebuild his company as a leader in digital printing.
Israeli diamonds still sparkle
Israel’s exports of polished and rough diamonds rose by more than $175 million in 2014. Net exports of polished diamonds totaled $6.269 billion and rough diamonds $3.061 billion.
El Al starts Tel Aviv to Boston service
Israel’s El Al airline has begun selling tickets for its new route from Tel Aviv to Boston Logan International airport. Boston is a popular business destination.
More Israeli firefighting aircraft
Israel’s Ministry of Defense is buying six new firefighting aircraft to add to its eight-plane squadron. The US Air Tractor planes will be upgraded and maintained by Israel’s Elbit Systems.
Stronger ties with Japan
The Israeli cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s program to strengthen economic ties with Japan. The comprehensive plan involves several areas of government and the investment of tens of millions of shekels over the next three years.
Chinese invest in new Israeli biotechs
(Thanks to Globes & CFHU) A Chinese investment company has placed $3million in Integra Holdings – the biotechnology holdings company of Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It will fund new biotechs founded by the Hebrew University.
Buying into Israel’s future
Morton Mandel invests in Israeli firms as a way of building up the Jewish state. His aim is to “buy more companies that are not doing well and fix them up” for a better, stronger, healthier Israel. He also runs leadership-training programs to unlock the talents of the ultra-Orthodox community.
Making it “easy” to fly from France to Israel
Low cost carrier easyJet plc will launch a new direct route between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, starting 30th March 2015. Ticket prices for the flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays start from 45.99 Euros one-way.
Strengthening Indo-Israeli ties
Experts at the seventh India Israel Forum – the Indo-Israel Innovation Colloquium in Mumbai – explored further ties between the two nations in innovation, information technology, healthcare, water technology, renewable energy, wellness and engineering sectors.