Israel Active

Israel’s Sodastream International is really bubbling with enthusiasm over its latest joint venture with Campbell’s Soups. Campbell’s V8 Splash and V8 V-Fusion fruity drinks will be converted into carbonated drinks and sold as a new flavour by the popular Israeli fizzy drinks maker.

The Italian Trade Promotion Agency, an Italian government group, along with the Israel-Italy Chamber of Commerce and a slew of banks, government agencies, and start-ups, held the first-ever Italian start-up event in Israel, “Italian Innovation In The Start-Up Nation.”

The Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) fund is Israel's leading venture capital fund and one of the top 10 most successful funds in the world. JVP manages $900 million in six different funds. Israeli business newspaper Calcalist analysed 143 companies and 716 funds.

A very strange comment by senior Turkish official Mithat Rende seemed to signify a thaw in government relations with Israel. “"Construction of a pipeline to Turkey is the best way to export Israeli gas”. Also Turkish remarks during the recent Gaza conflict were very restrained. Hmm...

The two countries have founded the Canada–Israel Energy, Science and Technology Fund to advance mutual shared energy interests.

Delegates at the SIAL 2012 Exhibition in Paris were invited to do just that at the Israeli pavilion. The Salon International de l'Agroalimentaire is the largest food innovation observatory in the world. Israel’s global brands and also its family-run businesses succeeded in attracting buyers from across the world.

Israeli start-ups have always been known for relentless innovation. Lately, many Israeli start-ups have succeeded in growing a huge user base in the rest of the world. Ten Israeli start-up founders share tips and secrets to gaining users around the world and receiving global coverage.

Israel has climbed two places from 26th to 24th in the World Economic Forum’s Financial Development 2012 index of 62 countries. It is second in the Middle East and North Africa region, after Kuwait. Improved financial stability has been one of the key areas of improvement over its 2011 position.

Intel Corporation’s CEO Paul Otellini has launched a $5 million investment in science and technology in Israeli high schools. The project aims to double the number of high school students completing their science and technology matriculation certificate.

The agreement is intended to develop “shared infrastructure investment” in national information technology projects, and encourage interdependent Israeli technology companies and start-ups. Microsoft has also begun registering for its next accelerator program where Israeli start-ups will receive $20,000 and help from Microsoft, Israel’s Technion and Georgia Tech College.