Israel Active

The project to land an Israeli satellite on the surface of the moon has received a huge boost. SpaceIL, the nonprofit organization competing for the Google Lunar X Prize has received a $16.4 million donation from the Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Family Foundation.

Israeli communications specialist Radcom has sold its MaveriQ service assurance solution to a major Brazilian cellular operator in a $3.5 million deal.

Israel’s Elbit Systems has won a $163 million contract from a European country for the supply of defense electronic systems for ground applications.

Israel’s WalkMe is a user-friendly app that allows website owners to build step-by-step guidebooks for using their sites. WalkMe has just raised $11 million in its third round of financing.

Israeli chocolate company Max Brenner has opened first chocolate bar in Russia - on Zvetnoy Boulevard in the cultural heart of Moscow. Russia accounts for nearly 10 percent of the world's chocolate consumption, making the country a key growth market.

Israel’s budget deficit on government activity fell to NIS 2.5 billion in March 2014 from NIS 2.9 billion in March 2013. There was a budget surplus of NIS 100 million in the first quarter, compared with a deficit of NIS 4.7 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2013.

Lockheed Martin officially opened a branch in Be'er Sheva, in support of the IDF and the "Move South" campaign funded by the Israeli government.

Microsoft is turning to the start-up nation for inspiration in reinventing itself as a start-up, according to its local research and development chief. Yoram Yaakovi was speaking at Microsoft’s annual Think Next event, a showcase for new technologies from Israel and abroad.

Due to rising demand, British Airways is to increase its number of weekly flights between Tel Aviv and London from 14 to 17 (around 1000 extra seats). The new schedule will also give travelers from Israel more convenient arrival times as well as shorter connection times.