Israel Active

I reported previously on Israel’s Aurora Labs whose systems fix problems in connected cars. Aurora has just been chosen to participate in the Batch 2 Acceleration Program of Plug and Play Japan. Aurora’s software platform is valuable to vehicle manufacturers

Israeli startup High Lander Aviation has developed software that manages and coordinates the activity of autonomous drone fleets. It has just raised $1.5 million to help it expand globally. High Lander intends to build specialized airports for commercial drones, where the flyers can land and recharge.

I reported previously on Israel’s InnovoPro, developer of a 70 percent protein concentrate from chickpeas. It has now produced prototype products like puddings, meat alternatives, high-protein snacks and vegan mayonnaise. It has also just raised $4.25 million of funds.

Israeli startup Jet Eat, which developed a technology for 3D printing of vegan meat substitutes, was selected as one of the winners of the 2018 Food Accelerator Network Program competition. The contest is hosted by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has opened a new fintech center, funded by a $1.3 million donation from Israeli entrepreneur David Gershon. Its goal is to grow Israeli fintech startups and increase overseas sales. It also aims to help raise a new generation of Israeli fintech entrepreneurs.

I reported previously on the joint Tel Aviv University project with China’s Tsinghua University to set-up a new research center in Shenzhen. The two universities began their plans in 2016 and have just presented them at the China Israel Innovation Forum in Shenzhen.

Israel’s Innovation Authority (IIA) is launching a $7 million annual pilot program to fund and support companies requiring R&D in renewable and efficient energy fields. Up to NIS 2.5 million is available for projects in solar, geothermal, fuel alternatives, smart grid, storage etc.

The 2018 Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference is Israel’s leading energy event. From Dec 2 – 4, thousands of participants from all over the world came to Eilat. The event launched Eilat Eilot’s East Africa Off Grid Technologies Hub, bringing Israeli innovation to Africa.

Israeli startup NewRocket is developing gel propulsion – a cheaper, more environmentally friendly rocket-engine technology offering the same level of performance and control as toxic “legacy fuel” and a better solution for smaller satellites. The technology was invented by Prof. Benny Natan of Israel’s Technion.

We frequently hear bad news about Tel Aviv’s asylum seekers from Sudan and Eritrea. In contrast, this initiative of Israeli NGO African Refugee Development Center and the Developer Institute is to teach some of them coding skills and integrate them into the Israeli hi-tech sector.