CTECH

CTECH – Daily Briefs on Technology, Science, Industry in Israel

By Steve

Posted on March 31, 2020

CTECH – Daily Briefs on Technology, Science, Industry in Israel

As the number of domestic Covid-19 cases rises, Israel settles on economic support measures. Israel reported 3,865 confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday morning, 66 of them in serious or critical condition, and 12 dead. Read more

Microsoft sells its stake in AnyVision, desists minor investments in facial identification technologies. In November, Microsoft started an investigation into the Israeli startup after multiple media outlets reported its technology was being used by Israeli forces to surveil Palestinians in the West Bank. Read more

Opinion | When it comes to Covid-19, the tech industry’s urge to disrupt may be disruptive. As the world attempts to fight off the global pandemic, tech professionals worldwide should focus less on disrupting the health system than on supporting it. Read more

Genealogy company MyHeritage to set up coronavirus testing lab in Israel. The lab, expected to begin operating by April 9, will be able to conduct 10,000 tests per day, Read more

Over half of VCs have stopped or cut down investments, survey finds. A survey of 131 venture capital funds conducted by Israeli startup Wizer shows that 25% intend to completely stop investments and another 32% will reduce spending. Read more

Expert | In these trying times, piracy can be used for good. One silver lining in the dark cloud named Covid-19: people are harnessing the power of 3D printing to manufacture well needed, often expensive and hard-to-find, medical supplies. Read more

It is still money time for the Israel-Colorado innovation fund. Coronavirus has wreaked havoc in financial markets, but the uncertainty is not scaring away all VCs. Read more

Medical staff left vulnerable at forefront of coronavirus fight. Health care workers are at significant risk of contracting Covid-19, with authorities across the world late to react to pleas for protection. Read more

List | These Home Workout Startups Will Keep You in Shape Even During a Global Lockdown. Below are six Israel-based startups offering online workout tools that can help prevent your transition from gym rat to couch potato during the Covid-19 crisis. Read more

Pandemic disruptions lead many consumers to buy camping supplies, says marketing startup Yotpo. Yotpo analyzed the changing behaviors, priorities, and shopping trends of more than 2,000 consumers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada to see how Covid-19 impacted e-commerce. Read more

Interview | Clear cut separation strategy can end Covid-19 crisis in three months, says Mobileye CEO. Amnon Shashua, co-founder and CEO of Mobileye, breaks down his exit strategy which separates high and low-risk populations to create herd immunity while allowing the economy to get back on track. Read more

Israeli prime minister could be exposed to Covid-19 after adviser tests positive for the disease. Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Israel reached 4,347 on Monday morning; unemployment rate in the country at 22.7%. Read more

The Israeli development that could produce hundreds of ventilators a day. The ventilator, being developed by Microsoft’s local team, uses a manual respiration balloon and operates it autonomously. Read more

Starting a new job from home quarantine. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread, forcing nonessential workers to remain home, tech companies in Israel find themselves having to onboard new employees from their living rooms. Read more

Sensible medical sold Covid-19 patient monitoring systems to hospitals in Italy, U.S., says CEO. The Israel-based company developed a radar-based system capable of monitoring a patient’s lung fluid levels to prevent deterioration. Read more

Israeli health ministry’s new Covid-19 tracking app malfunctions. Location-based mobile app HaMagen, introduced to help curb the spread of coronavirus, wrongly informed users of being in the vicinity of a person infected with the disease. Read more

Despite coronavirus pandemic, traffic to health e-commerce websites is down, says Imperva. Imperva surveyed the traffic to approximately 100,000 websites operating in different industries across the globe starting mid-January. Read more

Israeli government to send daily coronavirus-detection questionnaire. The Health Ministry intends to use the questionnaire to learn which areas are experiencing an increase in the symptoms associated with Covid-19 and gain insight into the spread of the disease. Read more

Travel medicine startup Air Doctor raises $7.8 million. Air Doctor operates an online marketplace and a mobile app that helps travelers locate medical professionals. Read more

Jack Ma, Alibaba Foundation donate medical supplies to Israel to fight coronavirus. The supplies include Covid-19 test kits, face masks, face shields, and protective clothing. Read more

Via raises $400 million at a company valuation of $2.25 billion. Via operates transportation services in more than 90 locations worldwide, offering various modes of operation in different places. Read more

In Israel, soldiers to patrol the streets in effort to enforce covid-19 regulations. Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Israel reached 4,831 on Tuesday morning; gatherings in a public sphere no longer allowed. Read more

Israel’s tech dream team is closing in on coronavirus breakthroughs. Daniel Gold, head of the country’s national emergency team, thinks his cross-industry team of experts can rise to the challenge of Co. Read more

Analysis | Coronavirus threatens shared e-scooter companies. Self-quarantine and lockdowns have reduced use of shared e-scooters. Bird let hundreds of employees go while Lime is looking to raise funding at a valuation of only $400 million. Will e-scooters vanish from our streets as quickly as they arrived? Read more

Analysis | For the corona-besieged tech industry, cash is king. With private money drying up, wage reductions, and layoffs, Isaeli startups are suddenly on the defensive. People in the industry are talking about possible mergers and acquisitions, and the local unicorns are waiting on the sidelines for prices to go down. Read more

Amid coronavirus scare, Israel’s kibbutzim close their gates. Israel’s cooperative agriculture communities are barring entry by non-residents in an attempt to keep out Covid-19. Read more

Due to pandemic, Bringg offers shipping management software to small businesses for free. Bringg develops an Uber-like management software for third-party delivery suppliers and counts Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Walmart among its clients. Read more

List | From team management to company app development: 6 startups that make working from home easier. As living rooms across the world become makeshift offices, these Israeli startups can give your remote work processes the boost they need. Read more

Israel greenlights coronavirus blocking sticker pilot. The 3D-printed sticker, developed at Israeli research university Technion, is made up of nanometric fibers coated with disinfectants and is meant to enhance the containment of nanoparticles and effectively neutralizes viruses as they touch the mask. Read more

Ebay appoints Ishai Froind to lead Israeli operation. Froind is set to succeed Israel General Manager Moti Eliav, who served in the role since 2018. Read more

Augmented reality startup TetaVi raises $4 million. TetaVi develops volumetric video technology made portable using four depth cameras developed in-house. Read more

BiblioTech | CTech’s book review: never take your eyes off your shoes. Tami Mazel Shachar, CEO of Software Company IncrediBuild, on Phil Knight’s “Shoe Dog”. Read more