Israel Active

Omri Caspi launches $100 million fund. Former Israeli NBA star Omri Caspi is expanding his Swish Ventures VC firm to manage a total of $300 million with a new $100 million Opportunity Fund,. The new fund plans to participate in roughly eight investments across cybersecurity, infrastructure technologies, and AI.

A massive German deal for Spike missiles (see previously) is the latest in a wave of purchases as the continent prepares for threats from Russia. And many countries that had put bans on Israeli exports or imports have been regretting it.

Israel and Costa Rica signed a comprehensive free trade agreement in Jerusalem, introducing wide-ranging tariff cuts and updated trade rules designed to expand exports and reduce costs for consumers. Officials anticipate a substantial increase in Israeli exports from the current $32 million.

Air India returns to Israel in Jan 2026 with four weekly flights to New Delhi. It will also offer competitive one-stop connections to Mumbai, Goa, Kathmandu, Bangkok and Phuket. UK low-cost carrier easyJet says it will resume flights to Israel in March. It may add many more routes from Tel Aviv.

Thailand’s Royal Air Force is purchasing Israel Aerospace Industries’ Barak MX air and missile defense system to enhance protection of bases and assets. The news came on the day Israel delivered an Arrow 3 battery to Germany as part of a NIS 14 billion deal – the largest in Israeli history.

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Gilat Satellite’s Gilat DataPath subsidiary (see previously) has received a $10 million order for a customized Earth Observation Solution. It accesses satellites equipped with various sensors to provide real-time data for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and situational awareness.

Israel’s TopGum Industries (see previously) has seen its share price soar 31% following news of a supply agreement with a major U.S. supplement brand. Sales from nutritional supplements rose 163% last year. Net profit ($2 million) is up 200% and orders for the kosher gummy candies are rolling in.

The Cyberstarts venture capital fund plans to be the first VC fund in Israel to bring all of its portfolio companies under one roof. Its “cyber campus” will take over the entire 27 floors (45,000-square-meters) of Landmark 2 (B) tower - adjacent to the Sarona complex in Tel Aviv.

A Bloomberg review found that foreign buyers paid roughly $60 billion to acquire more than 85 Israeli companies in 2025 so far - the highest level of foreign acquisition ever recorded in the country.