Historic harvest
Israeli researchers have harvested 20kg of Byzantine-era grape varieties, two years after ancient 1,500-year-old grape seeds were planted at a restored vineyard at Avdat National Park in the Negev Desert. They aim to recreate an renowned ancient wine that was once massively exported throughout Europe.
Olympiad successes
Thanks to the Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center and its partnership with Israel’s Education Ministry, Israeli students soared into the world top ten of the Olympiads in 2025 for Math and Chemistry. Israel came 6th in Math (4 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) and 10th in Chemistry (2 gold, 2 silver).
Incubating new tech startups
Israel Innovation Authority is to select up to three new technological incubators for startups developing semiconductors, advanced robotics, and bio-convergence. Incubators will receive up to NIS 40 million over five years. Startups may receive up to NIS 21 million to progress from initial research.
Enabling AI agents to navigate the web
Israel’s Tavily has developed a search layer for AI agents to navigate live web data through a single search layer. It says it has achieved a million monthly downloads and is already serving leading Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing tech firms, like Cohere and Groq.
Enhanced protection against scams
Israel’s BioCatch (see previously) has just launched Scams360™. For the first time ever, financial institutions can stop their customers from deception by social engineering scammers using techniques such as romance, investment advice, email-compromise, and impersonation.
Technion launches two tech centers
Israel’s Technion Institute has just launched the Carasso FoodTech Innovation Center (see ) and the Esther and Herbert Hecht Sustainable Protein Research Center (see ). They will both promote education, research, and innovation in the food sector.
Debunking calls for boycott
Nearly a third of the recent posts on social media to boycott Amazon and McDonald’s were generated by AI bots. Israel’s Cyabra found fake users coordinated a digital attack of negative posts across X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Protecting against AI weaknesses
Israel’s Noma Security (see previously) safeguards companies from potential vulnerabilities in their AI systems and AI agents (e.g. chatbots). It continually checks for problems, prioritizes risks, simulates attacks and more. Over 50% of companies plan to implement AI agents by end 2026.
Diabetic daughter inspires low-carb food startup
After Ran’s daughter was diagnosed with diabetes, he partnered with her endocrinologist to create Eatsane (see previously). Its low-carb buns are now available at Israel’s BBB burger restaurants and its pizza crusts are an option at Israeli Papa John’s.
Hybrid drones for Europe
Israel’s Robotican (see previously) has delivered dozens of its ROOSTER hybrid drone systems to European special operations forces, intervention units, and infantry teams. ROOSTER rolls like a robot and flies like a drone. It recently secured official NATO registration.