Israel Active

Israeli companies have been gearing up to help employees re-adjust when they return from IDF reserve service. Read how Israeli firms Applied Materials, Taboola, Priority, and Monday.com have prepared for the challenge.

Nine clean energy projects (see previously) are to receive $9.75 million under the US-Israel (BIRD) Energy program. Israelis orgs involved include Bar Ilan R&D, , , , , PowerPlug, , Trigo Solar, and Windstore Energy.

The fermented plant-derived “meat” from Israel’s Chunk Foods (see previously) has now reached Florida. The authentic tasting replicated whole cuts are now available at The Talk of the Town Restaurant Group, which comprises six restaurants in Central Florida.

At two financial events last week, finance heads and investors spoke of the resilience of Israeli entrepreneurs. Typical was Ed Sim, founder, and general partner at boldstart Ventures. “Yes, there’s an impact,” he said. “But the resiliency is off the charts.”

US chipmaker Intel has inked an agreement with Israel’s government for a $3.2 billion grant to expand its chip manufacturing facilities in Kiryat Gat at a total investment of $25 billion. Intel will also spend NIS 60 billion with Israeli suppliers over 10 years and create thousands of jobs.

Israel’s Strauss Group has rebranded its ground coffee in response to complaints as to why it should be named after a country whose leader supports Hamas. Special war editions are now “Am Israel Chai”, “Generation of Victory,”, “We Have No Other Country”, & “Strong Together.”

Israeli cybersecurity has acquired Israel’s , which specializes in cyber risk assessment.

The five top Israeli tech companies all rose in value during 2023. Mobileye (up 35%), Check Point (+18%), Nice Systems (+7%), monday.com (+88%), and CyberArk (+88%) now have a total value of $83.5 billion.

The Israeli non-profit Ogen “Reserves for Reservists – Officer Loan Fund” aims to raise up to $10 million to provide interim fiscal support to senior officers who also own businesses. The fund aims to prevent the entrepreneurs from worrying so they can focus on their duties.

Israel’s StemRad (see previously) has secured a $4.5 million contract with the US Department of Defense for the acquisition of its radiation protection shields for the US National Guard. will provide 630 of its protective 360 Gamma belts to help respond to radiation incidents.