CTECH: Latest Israeli Innovation & Technology News Jan. 21, 2026
Israel’s startup machine never stops, but most companies don’t make it. Central Bureau of Statistics figures reveal a relentless pace of new ventures and a majority that fail. Read more
Vimeo begins winding down its Israeli operations after broad layoffs. The video platform is dismantling a development center built through over $200 million in acquisitions. Read more
Deep33 launches with $100 million first close, aiming to shape the infrastructure of AI. The fund has already backed five startups across quantum, energy, and AI infrastructure. Its founders are Lior Prosor, a partner at the Hanaco fund, and Michael Broukhim, an angel investor, who joined forces with a group of former senior figures from IDF technology units and serial entrepreneurs. Read more
“Crazy salary levels”: The deal that exposed Israel’s defense paradox. Why foreign capital, national security, and a revolving door collided over a single Rafael subsidiary. Read more
Pagaya’s AI real estate bet has cost investors nearly $300 million. The SmartResi fund continues to slide even as broader US property markets post gains. Read more
High-tech job vacancies climb to multi-year highs. Economists point to exports, defense demand and foreign investment. Read more
Cyber startup Zeroport raises $10 million Seed for non-IP remote access solution. The company’s technology addresses vulnerabilities that led to the CISA breach and countless VPN compromises. Read more
“AI is making output per person the real scaling metric; headcount growth is now often a lagging indicator.” Lee Ben-Gal and Haim Bachar, Investors at lool ventures, joined CTech for its 2026 VC Survey. Read more
NextVision’s shares surge as drone-camera maker tops $7.5 billion market cap. A $60 million order underscores how battlefield demand has transformed the company. Read more
Rafael subsidiary wins €330 million contract to equip NATO Leopard tanks with active defenses. EuroTrophy to supply Trophy systems for four European armies. Read more
“Israel’s air defenses are ready for Iran; Claims to the contrary are false.” Senior defense officials reject assertions cited in U.S. deliberations, saying Arrow, Iron Dome, and David’s Sling remain fully operational. Read more
Defense Ministry freezes $100 million Ondas bid for Iron Dome software firm. Former Rafael executives at US firm Ondas are leading an acquisition push in Israel, including a $100 million bid for Iron Dome software company mPrest, but the Defense Ministry is delaying approval over classified projects. Read more
Ondas’ sudden ascent raises questions after nearly $2 billion in capital raises. The US-listed company’s Israeli defense acquisitions and executive hires contrast sharply with its recent financial history. Read more
Commit acquires Savannah to enter Africa’s growing software talent market. The deal reflects rising pressure on global companies to find new sources of experienced developers. Read more
Israel launches AI supercomputer to accelerate tech innovation. 1,000 Nvidia B200 accelerators to be allocated for high-tech firms and academic researchers at reduced cost. Read more
The man who calls Zuckerberg “Mark” and Brin “Sergey” now has his sights set on Jensen’s Nvidia. Ofer Shacham, former Head of Silicon at Meta and a key leader at Google’s silicon, co-founded Majestic Labs to develop energy-efficient AI processors capable of challenging Nvidia’s dominance. Read more
Inside Playtika’s 15% workforce cut: From growth at all costs to lean, AI-driven teams. CEO Robert Antokol’s letter outlines a deeper reorganization beyond the layoffs. Read more
From Watson to ChatGPT Health: Why AI’s medical moment looks different now. Better models, clearer use cases, and a fight over how AI enters the system. Read more
Immunai and Bristol Myers Squibb turn to AI to decode immune responses in clinical trials. The collaboration aims to improve understanding of patient biology in clinical trials. Read more
“Most investors still treat AI and crypto as separate worlds. The real opportunity lies in the infrastructure layer that connects them.” Ran Levitzky, general partner at Magenta Venture Partners, joined CTech for its 2026 VC Survey. Read more
Just eight months old, cyber startup Novee raises $51.5 million in Seed and Series A funding. The company says traditional security testing can no longer keep pace with automated threats. Read more
“Israel would become a global AI powerhouse if it moved from inventing to owning and scaling.” What would it take to make Israel the world’s third AI power? Read more
From Talon to Seraphic: How Israeli startups came to dominate browser security. Acquisitions by CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks, and large funding rounds at Island and Guardio, underscore the browser’s rise as a critical attack surface. Read more
Akamai alumni secure $20 million Series A for IO River to challenge single-provider reliance. The multi-CDN platform opens advanced infrastructure previously reserved for tech giants. Read more
Playtika to lay off about 500 employees in 15% workforce cut. CEO Robert Antokol cites need to “right-size” the organization. Read more
China bars US and Israeli cybersecurity firms, including Palo Alto Networks and Check Point. National security concerns prompt Beijing to restrict foreign software as tech tensions rise. Read more
CrowdStrike acquires browser security startup Seraphic for $400 million. Founded in 2020, the Israeli company focuses on embedding security directly into the browser. Read more
eToro to lay off 7% of workforce. 105 jobs to be cut less than a year after the company’s Wall Street debut. Read more
Converge Bio raises $25 million Series A to accelerate AI drug discovery. The funding brings total investment to $30 million as the startup works with pharma partners on antibody design and protein optimization. Read more
StoreDot lays off dozens as it prepares for $800 million SPAC merger. Fast-charging battery developer pares workforce ahead of Nasdaq listing. Read more
Google VP: “The only way to win cyberwarfare is to let defenders fix vulnerabilities as fast as attackers exploit them.” Royal Hansen says AI is forcing Google to fight hackers with the same tools they use – autonomous agents that find and patch flaws at machine speed. Read more
