Israel Active

According to a survey released recently by Israel fund administrator Tzur Management, Israel-based hedge funds assets increased in value by 33 percent between 2011 and 2013, outperforming both foreign-based funds and the local equity market.

Israeli wave energy technology developer Eco Wave Power won “The Most Innovative Technology” award at the Mixiii 2014 event. Although an Israel-only competition, Eco Wave Power has world-changing potential. It has raised $10 million to fund its projects.

Israel’s ZUtA Labs has raised sufficient funds to complete the development of the tiny printer that you put it in your pocket (or bag, laptop case etc). You can still order one on kickstarter for shipping in January.

Israel’s Marimedia, a provider of solutions for optimizing for the sale of online advertising space, has just listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Other 2014 Israeli (or Israeli subsidiary) AIM listings include SafeCharge, Summit Germany, XLMedia and Bagir.

(Thanks to Herb) Hong Kong’s government recently arranged for 34 Hong Kong businessmen, investors, and entrepreneurs to visit Israel. Israel is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner in the Middle East, and Hong Kong is Israel’s fifth largest trading partner in Asia.

Ex-Ambassador Yoram Ettinger writes a positive summary of Israel’s recent business and economic activity.

Israel's debt-to-GDP ratio - the most important index for measuring a country's fiscal and financial soundness - fell to 66.1% in 2013 from 67.1% in 2012. In 2006 the ratio was 82% and in 2002 it was over 100%. The average debt-to-GDP ratio among developed countries is 108.5%

The France-based international cheese makers' association, La Guilde Internationale des Fromagers, is opening its first office in Israel. A delegation from the prestigious association awarded membership to chef Meir Adoni, gastronomist Michal Ansky and six local boutique cheese makers.

Elbit Systems has inaugurated its Incubit Technology Ventures accelerator at the Beersheva High-Tech Park. Incubit is the first technology incubator in Israel owned by a homegrown Israeli corporation. It has already invested in two ventures and plans more than twenty in the next eight years.

Yossi Rabinovitz, CEO of Israeli e-commerce start-up SelfPoint is showing that the Haredi high-tech revolution is growing rapidly. SelfPoint, a member of the Microsoft Ventures Accelerator, lets customers easily set up and use an online store for their merchandise.