CTECH: Latest Israeli Innovation & Technology News 12/20/22
She-Inspires | “The future belongs to diversity. Not because it is fair but because it is right.” Tami Mazel Shachar, CEO at Incredibuild, doesn’t just talk the talk regarding promoting diversity, she actually does something about it. Read more
Akamai CEO: “Opportunities for acquisition will occur when the value of companies decreases.” “There is hope that next year will be better, but at the moment there is mostly uncertainty,” said Tom Leighton, whose company has acquired three Israeli startups over recent years. Read more
Imagen raises $30 million for AI-powered editing solutions for professional photographers. The Israeli startup’s AI technology creates an individual profile based on a photographer’s previous work and unique creative style and can save up to 90% of post-production time. Read more
“We believe that an investment of this magnitude will help cement the ties between Israel and Abu Dhabi.” With typically impeccable American decorum, the senior representatives of the funds selling control of the Phoenix to the ADQ fund try to dissipate the concerns regarding the deal: “The new buyers are experienced and sophisticated investors with excellent financial strength, and I am confident that the Israeli regulator will see them as we did.” Read more
MyTower raises $4 million to expand its property intelligence management platform. The Israeli startup’s solution aims to connect and enhance property and service management. Read more
2022 VC Survey |Remagine Ventures: “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” Eze Vidra joined CTech to offer some predictions in the early stage investment space ahead of the new year. Read more
Akamai CEO: “Opportunities for acquisition will occur when the value of companies decreases.” “There is hope that next year will be better, but at the moment there is mostly uncertainty,” said Tom Leighton, whose company has acquired three Israeli startups over recent years. Read more
Imagen raises $30 million for AI-powered editing solutions for professional photographers. The Israeli startup’s AI technology creates an individual profile based on a photographer’s previous work and unique creative style and can save up to 90% of post-production time. Read more
“We believe that an investment of this magnitude will help cement the ties between Israel and Abu Dhabi.” With typically impeccable American decorum, the senior representatives of the funds selling control of the Phoenix to the ADQ fund try to dissipate the concerns regarding the deal: “The new buyers are experienced and sophisticated investors with excellent financial strength, and I am confident that the Israeli regulator will see them as we did.” Read more
She-Inspires | “The future belongs to diversity. Not because it is fair but because it is right.” Tami Mazel Shachar, CEO at Incredibuild, doesn’t just talk the talk regarding promoting diversity, she actually does something about it. Read more
A Buchris story: The rise, fall, and comeback of an Israeli hero. Raised in a large, poor immigrant family and illiterate till the age of 10, Pinhas Buchris climbed his way up Israel’s military and cyber industry ladder till he fell off – literally – and wound up in a coma. Now he’s back – and more determined than ever. Read more
A Buchris story: The rise, fall, and comeback of an Israeli hero. Raised in a large, poor immigrant family and illiterate till the age of 10, Pinhas Buchris climbed his way up Israel’s military and cyber industry ladder till he fell off – literally – and wound up in a coma. Now he’s back – and more determined than ever. Read more
She-Inspires | “Keep your mind healthy. Startups die when their founders burn out.” Sharon Savariego, VP Product Innovation at Gong, discusses her early years as an entrepreneur, moving to Silicon Valley by herself, and how she ultimately arrived at the Israel-based conversation analytics unicorn. Read more
2022 VC Survey | “Productivity per employee will probably swing back to more normal levels.” Avi Eyal, Founder and Managing Partner of Entrée Capital, joined CTech to share predictions in the VC space. Read more
HR on the chopping block: “When I received a layoff email I was shocked.” At the beginning of the year, high-tech companies had difficulty finding recruiters to locate the necessary talents for them to meet their growth goals. But in recent months, following the crisis, recruiters and HR personnel are the first to be laid off. Read more
CTalk | “I have been an investor through the pandemic and now through a recession.” Eitan Reisel, Founder and Managing Partner at vgames, describes his investment journey through two global events. Read more
Gamers still want a mix of virtual and physical worlds, says Dov Moran. Managing Partner at Grove Ventures and inventor of the USB drive Dov Moran still has hopes for the physical world in gaming. Read more
“It is quite trivial to assume that 2023 will not be a growth year compared to 2022.” Uri Marchand, CEO and Co-Founder at Overwolf, joined CTech to discuss how different business models impact the gaming sector. Read more
Intel Israel lays off dozens of employees as part of global cutbacks. Following the decision to implement cutbacks announced two months ago, Intel told each of its global centers that they are required to reduce their expenses. Read more
High-tech leaders send message to Netanyahu: “New legislation has destructive implications on economy.” “The weakening of trust in the judicial system and as a result in Israeli democracy could deter investors which have been driving the high-tech industry,” read a letter signed by over 200 senior entrepreneurs and investors. Read more
2022 VC Survey | TLV Partners: “Startups, it’s time to go on the offense!” Managing Partner Shahar Tzafrir joined CTech to offer advice to companies preparing for next year. Read more
Israeli startup Luminescent raises $7 million for zero emission heat engine. Luminescent’s clean energy engine provides an economical solution for zero emission electricity from any source of heat. Read more
CEO fails to takeover Nano Dimension and its $1.2 billion in cash. The shareholders of the industrial 3D printing company did not approve the repricing of Yoav Stern’s options, which would have put them in the money and allowed him to become the largest shareholder in the company. Read more
CTalk | “Designers are from Venus and programmers are from Mars.” Ofir Katz, Studio Manager at Clover Bite and Head of the Game Design department at Tiltan School of Design, speaks to CTech about the variety of skills needed to make a game. Watch full video
The impact of Israel’s small yet mighty gaming sector. Keren Marom, Co-Founder and COO at Beach Bum, joined CTech to discuss the gaming sector. Watch full video
“We always think fashion and gaming are separate – but now we see this new kind of customer.” Roei Derhi, Founder and Creative Director at Placebo, joined CTech to discuss the similarities between gaming and fashion. Watch full video
She-Inspires | “Being an entrepreneur is like jumping off a cliff and making your parachute as you are falling.” Dr. Kira Radinsky, CEO and co-founder at Diagnostic Robotics, shares her unique story and her need to solve problems that really matter. Read more
“In 2023 many high-tech companies will significantly decrease in value.” After the layoffs, local high-tech is preparing for a wave of declines in company valuations, similar to the trend in the U.S. Israeli-American cyber unicorn Snyk revealed its value fell by 12% when it raised $196 million this week. Read more
2022 VC Survey | “We will see increased activity in Series A and B in the next six months.” Lior Litwak, Managing Partner and Head of Glilot+, at Glilot Capital Partners, joined CTech to share insights on the future of the VC space. Read more
CTalk | “The gaming industry will continue being a driving force of the Israeli economy.” Despite a seemingly constant flow of tech layoffs, Tal Ron, Chairman and Global CEO at Tal Ron Drihem Co. paints a different picture of the gaming sector. Read more
“Gaming is the origin story of the metaverse.” Kevin Baxpehler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Remagine Ventures, made the remarks at Gaming22 hosted by Calcalist. Read more
Game Design attracts both artists and engineers to the industry. Dr. Vered Pnueli, Head of the Kadar Games Center at Shenkar College, spoke to CTech about what gaming means to young students. Read more
Snyk snags $196.5 million Series G as valuation falls 12% to $7.4 billion. Less than two months after laying off almost 200 employees, the cybersecurity unicorn closed its latest funding round at a reduced valuation. Read more
2022 VC Survey | “Companies should prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” Firstime Ventures Partner Keren Kopilov joins CTech to discuss her predictions for 2023. Read more
Israeli startup breeds hens which lay eggs of female-only chicks. The achievement by startup Huminn and the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization – Volcani Institute can help spare the killing of billions of chicks around the world. Read more
Boarding Pass | Travaxy is on a mission to transform travel providers into accessibility experts. The company has raised a total of $570,000 to help with accessibility during the planning of travel arrangements. Read more
CTalk | How is Plarium’s Israeli studio reaching gamers around the world? Dima Karger, GM Israel Studio at Plarium, joined CTech to share how the Israeli base communicates with the rest of the gaming community. Read more
“Gaming has a lot of benefits that a lot of people do not want to talk about.” Reut Arye, who also goes by ‘Nikki’ online, joined CTech at Gaming 2022 to discuss the power of playing games. Read more
Abu Dhabi state fund to pay $680 million for controlling stake in Israel’s largest insurance company Phoenix. Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) has agreed to acquire 25% of Phoenix Insurance Company from U.S. funds Centerbridge and Gallatin Point Capital. Read more
Via CEO: “Bubble is efficient and successful. The Ministry of Transportation’s data shows only a partial picture.” Daniel Ramot, whose company supplies the software system for the cooperative transportation service Bubble, criticizes the Ministry of Transportation’s decision to terminate the service. Read more
