Fast optical communication for the Internet

Israel’s ColorChip produces optical chips that transmit Internet data on optical wavelengths, providing faster speeds and carrying more data. ColorChip has just raised another $25 million of funds.

One of the hottest startups of 2015

CNBC has included Israel’s Lishtot in its list of 20 of the world's hottest start-ups of 2015. Lishtot detects water pollutants from the changes they make to the electromagnetic properties of drinking water.

Technology teaches kids to cross the street

An initiative of Ben Gurion University and Holon Institute of Technology equips children with Virtual Reality devices to train them in road safety. 40 minutes of hazard-detection training on 18 simulated Israeli streets gave the kids the same crossing skills as adults.

Millions use Israeli app after Paris attacks

During the 24 hours after the Paris terror attacks, 4.1 million people checked in with friends and relatives using Facebook Safety Check, a technology developed by Facebook Israel’s research and development department. The app then sent messages to 360 million people to inform them that their loved ones were safe.

3D printing in metal

Israeli startup Xjet has developed technology to print 3D objects made of metal (current 3D printing is based on plastic). It could revolutionize the production of custom-made metal objects, which currently require an expensive mold to take liquid metal that then solidifies.

Protecting mobile apps

Israeli startup AppDome protects any mobile application. It allows users to download a secure version of an app within minutes and distribute it via the App Store or Google Play. AppDome was named 2015 Gartner Cool Vendor in Mobile Security and has just raised $13 million of funding.

Get a better job, faster

Israeli startup Highr recently completed Microsoft’s accelerator program and is now matching qualified people to technical job vacancies with a success rate of 78%.

A much better tour

Israeli start-up Manage Your Trip collects, collates and analyzes data to determine the pluses and minuses of a tour, a guide, a venue, a restaurant, a bus company, and many other factors. The system is geared not only to provide tourists with a better experience – but tour organizers with bigger profits.

A whole new tire design

Israeli start-up Galileo Wheel has invented a new design of tires for agricultural vehicles. It provides better control, a wider footprint, more stability, and the ability to transform between tire and track mode, depending on what terrain the vehicle is riding on.

4 Israelis in MIT’s top 35 innovators under 35

Four Israelis are among 35 honored this year by MIT with its annual list of young researchers who have had a huge impact on the world – and are expected to go on to do much more. They are Dr Gilad Evrony (brain cells), Professor Cigall Kadoch (neuro-technology devices), Dr Rikky Muller (cancer research) and Ben Rubin (Meerkat video app).