CTECH: Latest Israeli Innovation & Technology News April 7, 2025
Coho AI shuts down, Yotpo to integrate employees amid quiet exit. The startup raised $8.5 million to reinvent SaaS revenue, but struggled to find a sustainable business model. Read more
eToro delays IPO as Trump’s tariff shock rattles Wall Street. The Israeli fintech joins Klarna, Medline, and StubHub in shelving multibillion-dollar listings amid growing market turmoil. Read more
Israel’s defense tech map expands to 312 firms amid wartime innovation boom. Startup Nation Central says many companies self-identified in recent months as investor interest surged. Read more
Bitcoin emerges as unlikely safe haven in tariff-fueled crisis. Despite sharp declines in equities, gold, and oil, Bitcoin holds steady near $83,000. Read more
Opinion | Trump tariffs: A very thin needle to thread — And Israel’s small part. While Israel is not a major player in the U.S. supply chain, it has a unique opportunity to punch above its economic weight, and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to the White House Monday, while focused on the hostages and Iran, could be that exact opportunity. Read more
Noname Security founder launches Unframe with $30M Series A to transform enterprise AI. Shay Levi’s new startup, which previously raised an undisclosed $20M Seed round, has developed an all-in-one AI platform to replace legacy software with rapid, tailored solutions. Read more
Alex Bouaziz just had his “oh shit” moment—What happens next? How Deel’s CEO went from dismissing the Rippling lawsuit to fighting for his future. Read more
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs spark global tech panic. US tech giants face rising costs, while Europe and Asia prepare retaliation. Read more
Israel grapples with US tariff shock as economy braces for next steps. As officials and industry leaders scramble to assess the damage, Israel weighs diplomatic and economic responses to mitigate the impact. Read more
Pentera founder’s AutonomyAI raises $4M to put AI at the heart of enterprise development teams. The Israeli startup, co-founded by Arik Faingold, aims to integrate autonomous AI agents into development teams, promising a tenfold acceleration in software production. Read more
“Alex told me ‘stay at Rippling and become a spy for Deel’”: Deel CEO’s alleged espionage plot detailed in court. A sworn affidavit by former Rippling employee Keith O’Brien describes how Alex Bouaziz allegedly recruited him to spy for Deel. Read more
Blacklisted spyware firm Candiru acquired by Integrity Partners in $30 million deal. Integrity Partners restructures the controversial cyber firm into a new entity to bypass U.S. sanctions, as Candiru grapples with declining operations. Read more
Hi Auto raises $15 million Series A to automate drive-thru orders with AI. As labor costs rise, automation is becoming a key focus for fast-food restaurants. Read more
Payoneer founder Yuval Tal raises $8.5M for Linguana to take YouTubers global. AI-powered platform helps creators translate, dub, and monetize videos worldwide. Read more
AI giants reverse course, push Trump to roll back regulations. Just a year after calling for regulation, AI companies now want unrestricted access to data and fewer government controls. Read more
Google’s $32B Wiz deal is just the beginning: Tel Aviv’s startup ecosystem is evolving. Corporate investment has reached record levels, raising new questions for the city’s future. Read more
Four Wiz founders surge up global billionaires list with $2.2B each. Google’s $32 billion acquisition propels Wiz co-founders, who are each estimated to hold 9.3% of the company. Read more
Meta’s Israeli development center moving to new Tel Aviv headquarters. The company’s new 51,000-square-meter space will house key AI and VR initiatives. Read more
March 2025 in Israeli tech funding: $1 billion in 22 deals. The $250 million raised by both Island and Rapyd accounted for half of last month’s total funding. Read more
Israel’s tech ecosystem defies uncertainty with $2.13 billion raised in Q1. Cybersecurity and mega-rounds propel sector growth despite cautious new investments. Read more
Rippling alleges ‘spy’ was paid in Deel espionage case. Court documents reveal financial transactions linked to former payroll manager accused of leaking trade secrets. Read more
Tech tycoon Moshe Yanai disputes $36M debt, insists portfolio value exceeds $1 billion. Yanai, a veteran tech entrepreneur, rejects insolvency claims, arguing that his holding company MII controls a high-value portfolio, including stakes in Infinidat, eToro, and other firms. Read more
“Female founders return as good or better than their male counterparts.” Joy Marcus, Co-Founder and General Partner at The 98, spoke to CTech at Mind the Tech about female-led businesses and more opportunities for women in Israeli tech. Read more
“Almost all of our portfolio companies are using AI in varying capacities.” Lindsay Fitzgerald, Managing Partner at Vesey Ventures, spoke to CTech during Mind The Tech in New York. Read more
“The incredible acquisition of Wiz by Google is a testament to the strength of the Israeli ecosystem.” Max Rimpel, a partner at the venture capital fund General Catalyst, was speaking at the Calcalist and Bank Leumi Mind the Tech New York conference. John Caplan, CEO of Payoneer: “AI offers businesses an adrenaline shot—an opportunity to optimize and innovate at an unprecedented scale.” Read more
“We won’t give up on Israeli high-tech.” Erez Shachar, managing partner at Qumra Capital, was speaking at an event held by the fund at the NBA’s Madison Square Garden for the ten most promising growth startups announced by Qumra in New York. Read more
“Quantum Computing is a cross industry revolution, and we want to be part of it.” Maya Netser, Managing Partner at Qbeat Ventures, made the remarks at Calcalist and Bank Leumi’s Mind The Tech conference in New York. Read more
HackerU’s billion-dollar ambitions crumble under $146M debt. With its Wall Street dreams shattered, the Israeli company scrambles to restructure. Read more
“Their lies caught up with them”: Charlie Javice convicted in JPMorgan fraud case. Former fintech star and her Israeli co-defendant Olivier Amar have been found guilty of deceiving JPMorgan in $175 million acquisition. Read more
