Securing payments in Africa

Egyptian-based PAPSS (the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System) has selected Israel’s Thetaray (see previously) as its anti-money laundering (AML) and screening partner.

Sports Illustrated is (for 10 years) Israeli

Israel’s Minute Media has reached a 10-year licensing deal for digital and print rights to publish Sports Illustrated. The Israeli company will oversee all digital and print editorial operations across the SI portfolio.

Exits, takeovers and mergers – to 24/3/24:

US-based Gitlab is acquiring Israel’s cloud security startup for . Israeli-founded has Israel’s .

Startup investment – to 24/3/24

raised and achieved Unicorn status; raised ; raised ; raised ,

Free trade with Guatemala

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that Israel signed with Guatemala in 2022 (see previously) has just come into effect. Guatemala has the largest economy (GDP & population) in Central America. It joins seven Latin American countries that also have FTAs with Israel.

The sweet smell of success

Israel’s iRomaScents (see previously) couldn’t sell its “scented movies” to the entertainment industry. So, it re-positioned the product as an aid to choosing perfume. Its AI Wizard was a knockout at CES Las Vegas where it accurately recommended fragrances to the public.

Startup investment – to 17/3/24

raised ; raised ;

Exits, takeovers and mergers – to 17/3/24

Israel’s is acquiring Israel’s for . Multinational Ashley Home has acquired Israeli co-founded Resident Home for . America’s Zscaler is acquiring Israeli startup for . Israel’s Cycode has acquired US-based Bearer for around $10 million.

Saliva pregnancy testing kit hits the market

After rollout in England, Ireland, and Sweden, Israel’s Salistick (see previously) is finally available in Israel.  It will be sold in 285 branches of Super-Pharn for just under 25 shekels. The product detects the hormone Beta-hCG and has sold 100,000+ units in the UK since July 2023.

Best Microsoft Contact Center

At the CX (customer experience) awards hosted by CX Today, Israel’s AudioCodes (see previously) received the award for Best Microsoft Teams Contact Center Solution for its Voca Conversational Interaction Center (Voca CIC). Judges were independent industry experts.