CTECH: Latest Israeli Innovation & Technology News Feb. 19, 2025
Insight Partners hit by cyber attack with possible data leaks. The firm is working to assess the full impact while sensitive business information may be at risk. Read more
Crypto security startup Blockaid raises $50 million Series B to battle rising threats. The company’s AI-driven platform has blocked 71 million attack attempts in the past year. Read more
Greenfield Partners raises $400 million, surpassing $1 billion in assets. The venture capital firm launches its third fund and expands with a new office in New York. Read more
OpenWeb CEO dispute ends with Shoval stepping down and accepting advisory role. After a legal battle with the board and investors, Nadav Shoval agrees to step down as CEO of OpenWeb, taking on a senior advisory position instead. Read more
Intel’s Israel operations hang in the balance as TSMC and Broadcom circle. With Intel facing a potential breakup, its Israeli chip development and manufacturing hubs could see drastic changes—ranging from new ownership to possible cutbacks. Read more
CyberArk’s surge, Wiz and Cato prepare for IPOs: Israeli cyber firms ready for the next big move. As the cybersecurity market evolves, Israeli firms are ramping up competition with Palo Alto Networks, with major IPOs on the horizon. Read more
‘I sent out dozens of resumes’: The brutal job market facing tech graduates. With companies prioritizing referrals and AI replacing junior roles, recent graduates are finding few opportunities. Read more
“Companies that fail to adapt their DNA to AI will be left behind.” Michal Kissos Hertzog, Shlomi Ben Haim, Vered Raviv-Schwarz, and Asaf Peled discuss how businesses must integrate AI to remain competitive. Read more
“To build Israeli companies like Anduril or Palantir, we must focus on comprehensive solutions, not niche ones.” Industry leaders including Eli Friedman, Rotem Eldar, Yonatan Altman, Yoav Etsion, and Lital Leshem stress the need for Israeli defense-tech companies to shift towards comprehensive, user-driven solutions. They argue this shift is essential for competing globally and scaling companies like Anduril and Palantir. Read more
Israel’s economy grew 1% in 2024, exceeding estimates, but high-tech exports plunged 36.8%. The Israeli economy’s growth surpassed forecasts, while GDP per capita declined by 0.3%. Despite resilience in domestic consumption, high-tech exports plummeted, and overall exports fell 5.6%, reflecting the war’s economic toll. Read more
Is Intel’s time up? TSMC and Broadcom move in as the chipmaker falters. With AI advancements falling short, Intel’s future may lie in a breakup, with two major players eyeing parts of the company. Read more
Broadcom eyes Intel’s chip design unit as TSMC considers its factories. The potential deals could dismantle Intel’s long-standing integrated model, reshaping the semiconductor industry. Read more
Pagaya stock surges as revenue hits $1 billion, but can its growth outpace rising skepticism? Impressive Q4 earnings drive shares higher, but questions over risk exposure cast a shadow. Read more
Scarlett Johansson fights AI exploitation, but the US government looks away. While Johansson calls for action, Trump’s administration pushes for deregulation. Read more
IBI Ag secures $6.1 million to bring pharma-inspired crop protection to farms. The company’s single-domain antibody technology aims to redefine sustainable agriculture. Read more
CyberArk posts $1 billion in revenue with 33% growth and acquires Zilla for $165M. The acquisition of Zilla and strong earnings propel CyberArk to new heights as it nears a $20 billion market valuation. Read more
HiBob acquires Mosaic for $35 million to merge HR and financial planning. The deal will integrate FP&A capabilities into HiBob’s HR platform, offering real-time business insights. Read more
Intel shares soar on AI and foundry ambitions—but can it deliver? Hopes for policy support and a TSMC partnership lift Intel, but challenges remain. Read more
Check Point’s bet on Wiz: A bold partnership or a risky gamble? The cybersecurity veteran embraces external innovation, but history suggests Wiz could turn from ally to competitor. Read more
Mind the Tech NY 2025: Israeli innovation and global investors take center stage. Calcalist and Bank Leumi’s annual conference returns to New York for the seventh time, spotlighting high-tech resilience, investment opportunities, and the future of AI-driven entrepreneurship. Tech, VC, and business leaders will gather for panels, lectures, and networking events. Read more
Israeli startups face funding crunch as nearly half must raise capital in early 2025. A new report warns that 657 startups will need to secure funding soon, with 431 requiring immediate capital to survive. Read more
eToro officially takes its IPO plans public. After weeks of rumors, the fintech giant confirms its confidential filing for a Wall Street listing. Read more
“SolarEdge has high upside potential, but the risk is accordingly high.” Despite a 96% drop in stock value, Israel’s largest hedge fund believes SolarEdge has the potential to recover as demand for its products surges. However, concerns over its debt, competition, and market conditions make it a risky investment. Read more
Unity scales back in Israel as Tel Aviv leader exits amid latest layoffs. The departure of CRO Nadav Ashkenazy marks another step in Unity’s retreat from its Israeli operations, following mass layoffs and leadership restructuring. Read more
Crypto giant Tether invests in Israeli wallet Zengo. The Israeli startup, founded in 2019, offers an alternative to traditional wallets that rely on seed phrases—often a target for hackers. The company claims to have served over 1.5 million users without a single wallet being compromised. Read more
