CTECH: Latest Israeli Innovation & Technology News Jan. 13, 2026
Israel moves to float $20 billion Arrow maker IAI and $10 billion Iron Dome developer Rafael. Wartime demand and strong valuations revive long-stalled privatization plans. “We have an opportunity now … because of the high value of both companies,” director of the Government Companies Authority, Roi Kahlon, told Reuters. Read more
Sapiens begins global layoffs as new owner Advent reshapes the company. The software company is laying off about 10% of its global workforce following its $2.5 billion acquisition by Advent. The cuts in Israel will be relatively modest, around 5%, while layoffs in India and the US will reach about 10% of employees. Read more
Arkin raises $100 million biotech fund focused on early clinical science. Arkin Bio Ventures III emphasizes scientific rigor amid shifting biotech markets. Read more
An Israeli-Iranian founding team, $107 million, and a bet on the future of Physical AI. Former Apple engineers from Israel and Iran reunite at Lyte to tackle one of robotics’ hardest problems. Read more
“It’s no longer a question of if AI can deliver great efficiency gains but only a question of how much.” PSG Equity director Rotem Shacham joined CTech for its 2026 VC Survey. Read more
Cyber startup Torq joins unicorn ranks after $140 million raise at $1.2 billion valuation. Company uses autonomous AI agents to run and automate security operations centers. Read more
Wiz co-founder Ami Luttwak acquires half a street in Binyamina for $9 million. The Wiz CTO acquires 3.5 dunams adjacent to the Binyamina Winery in two separate transactions. Read more
“If we don’t do it great, they’ll shut us down”: Inside Intel’s wartime chip and subsequent stock surge. As Intel shares jumped after political backing in Washington, the processor it unveiled at CES was completed in Israel under extreme pressure. Read more
How Google became the world’s leading AI player. A decade of strategic AI investment and infrastructure gives Google a decisive edge in the AI revolution, propelling it past Apple to become the world’s second-most valuable company for the first time since 2019. Read more
“In 2026, the market will prioritize velocity.” YL Ventures senior partner Ofer Schreiber joins CTech to share his outlook for the coming year, from how the market is measuring growth to the limits of AI, as part of the VC Survey 2026: The Next Leap. Read more
Cyera hits $9 billion valuation as it announces $400 million Series F. Founded in 2021, the AI and data startup expands global footprint and product offerings as enterprises rush to govern autonomous systems safely. Read more
Etraveli acquires Israeli AI flight booking startup Wenrix in $200-$300 million deal. The flight booking giant bolsters its B2B platform with AI-driven price prediction, automation, and flexibility tools. Read more
“There are talks with Nvidia and others”: Shashua confirms AI21 acquisition discussions. AI21’s chairman confirms interest from Nvidia and additional parties, but believes a deal isn’t imminent. Read more
AI chip unicorn Hailo to lay off nearly 10% of staff as it refocuses on robotics and Physical AI. Cuts come as the $344 million-funded startup prepares a new, significant fundraising round. Read more
EU antitrust decision on $32 billion Google-Wiz deal due by February 10. European regulators will say whether Alphabet’s largest-ever acquisition can proceed or faces a deeper competition probe. Read more
The question marks behind Mobileye’s $900 million bet on Mentee. Why the acquisition of its founder’s robotics startup raises strategic and governance concerns. Read more
Jensen Huang: “Nvidia’s team in Israel is incredible. I’ll be visiting soon.” Huang highlighted Israel’s central role in AI, networking, and high-performance chip development at CES 2026 and said he plans to visit the country soon. Read more
Shashua on $900 million Mentee deal: “Robots are Mobileye’s new additional growth engine.” “The only question that needs to be asked is whether the deal to acquire Mentee Robotics is good for Mobileye. The fact that I am making money along the way is not what is interesting or important,” noted Amnon Shashua, CEO of Mobileye. Read more
Wiz and Orca agree to end bitter legal battle, dismissing all claims. A two-year legal feud between Israeli cloud security rivals comes to a definitive close. Read more
Fireblocks acquires TRES Finance in $130 million deal. Deal brings blockchain financial reporting platform and its entire team into Fireblocks. Read more
Wix returns to full office work week, cites collaboration and creativity. President Nir Zohar emphasizes benefits of in-person interaction for problem-solving. Read more
“Israel isn’t getting enough credit yet in AI infrastructure and models.” Greenfield Partners partner Raz Mangel joins CTech to discuss Israel’s next phase of tech growth, from operational resilience to scaling deep-tech businesses, as part of the VC Survey 2026: The Next Leap. Read more
Papaya Global in talks for sale at $3.5-$4.5 billion valuation. Israeli payroll and HR-tech unicorn draws interest from private equity and software giants. Read more
AppsFlyer nears $2 billion sale to Apollo and Fortissimo. Private equity funds step in as valuation matches company’s last funding round. Read more
Just three months after launch, cyber startup Spirit valued at $400 million in $50 million raise. Cyberstarts and Sequoia Capital are leading the round, joined by angel investors including Assaf Rappaport of Wiz, Yotam Segev of Cyera, and Armis co-founder Yevgeny Dibrov. Read more
The $15 billion windfall: How 2025 quietly made thousands of Israeli tech workers rich. Behind the record exits and stock gains, a historic transfer of wealth reshaped Israel’s economy. Read more
“What’s most important is the hype factor, and today it means the AI factor.” Glilot Capital Partners co-founder Kobi Samboursky joins CTech as part of the VC Survey 2026: The Next Leap, to discuss his predictions for Startup Nation in the coming years, from the impact of AI on today’s valuations to the next wave of cyber-led growth. Read more
Hetz Ventures secures $140 million to invest in Israeli cyber and AI startups. The fund comes as the firm marks $1 billion in portfolio exit value and nearly $500 million under management. Read more
