CTECH – Latest Israeli Technology and Innovation News.
Gong valuation surges to $7.25 billion in new $250 million funding round. The latest round means that the conversation analytics startup has become the highest valued private tech company in the history of Israel. Read more
eToro adds 3.1 million users in the first quarter of 2021. Israeli fintech company also doubled the number of trades executed on the platform year-on-year ahead of its upcoming SPAC merger at $9.6 billion valuation. Read more
Rapyd launches Venture Arm to boost fintech innovation globally. The Israeli startup will focus on investing in early and growth-stage businesses developing digital commerce and payment solutions. Read more
Temi’s robots to be protected by Firedome cybersecurity in new partnership. “The robotic market is in the midst of explosive growth and is a prime target for hackers,” said Moti Shkolnik, Firedome Co-Founder and CEO. Read more
PlayBeyondBio begins second cohort looking for health solutions in a post-Covid world. The initiative is being run by AstraZeneca, JVP, Accenture, and Margalit Startup City. Read more
ALD announces $50 million funding following Hub Security merger. The publicly traded Israeli company announced its plans to merge with Hub Security earlier this year. Read more
Amit Dadush to head Bank Hapoalim’s Bit Unit. The former communications executive will lead the bank’s money transfer and payment app on the heels of the launching of its new services. Read more
Opinion | The recent escalation is a reminder that technology wins wars. The IDF should invest its resources in acquiring automation systems that will turn it into the most technologically advanced military on earth, writes Harel Tayeb, CEO of Kryon. Read more
Multifamily property management platforms are proptech’s Amazon Alexa. Dovi Frances, Managing Partner of Group 11, speaks about disruption, the changing of the guard, and the loneliness pandemic on the back of leading a $60 million investment in Israeli prop-tech company Venn. Read more
Comunix closes $30 million series A funding to expand hit game Pokerface. A community of eight million users has emerged around the game developed by the Israeli startup, as people from across the globe look to create meaningful social connections online. Read more
DealHub raises $20 million to help take revenue amplification mainstream. “Yesterday’s siloed sales tools no longer cut it in the new Work from Anywhere era,” said Eyal Elbahary, CEO & Co-founder of DealHub.io. Read more
Elbit Systems awarded $80 million contract for AI-powered electrical-optical systems. The contract was awarded by a country in the Asia Pacific that has not been named. Read more
The insider story of Waze. NFX General Partner Gigi Levy-Weiss talks with Noam Bardin about the early days at Waze, what makes data valuable and how do you combine humans and algorithms. Read more
Online donation platform offers a better way to do good. JGive is launching JGive Platinum, a donor-advised fund, which for the first time in Israel, allows organizations to maximize their charity. Read more
Opinion | Goodbye cybersecurity, hello CalmTech: How Israeli tech is transforming mental wellness. New technologies created in the Startup Nation help relieve stress and build personal support. Read more
Salesforce.com’s investment arm and Zoom Video Communications have each agreed to buy $75 million of the Israeli startup’s shares in a private placement. Read more
Cybersecurity startup Exabeam raises $200 million at $2.4 billion valuation. Israeli co-founder Nir Polak to step down from role of CEO to become chairman of the board. Read more
Special sauce: the intern who brought an Israeli startup and McDonald’s together. Duke student Alexi Braun, who participated in TAMID Group and Onward Israel’s summer program, reached out on behalf of Israeli startup RightHear to a McDonald’s New York franchisee CEO and created a connection that could lead to a major deal. Read more
Building peaceful coexistence through tech entrepreneurship. For the next two weeks, Israel’s south is welcoming young Israelis and Palestinians to try and “program” a better future. Read more
6 Israeli startups helping you put your personal finance in order.
With almost a quarter of Israeli households facing a continuous struggle against being in an overdraft, local entrepreneurs have developed a variety of solutions to manage your personal finances. Read more
CyberArk opens new R&D center in Beer Sheba. An inauguration ceremony took place at Gav-Yam Negev Tech Park, joining 70 other centers and startups. Read more
IAI signs a $200 million contract with unnamed Asian country. Its Heron deal marks the fourth major transaction this year for the company. Read more
Artlist collaborates with American, European, and Israeli royalty organizations. The move will help improve the license of its music catalog and help the community of musicians. Read more
Opinion | Dealing with the problem of food security in the world. It is clear that innovation, technology, and research are critical tools in order to cope with the challenges associated with food insecurity and changes in the climate, writes Or Haviv. Read more
Marius Nacht leading $37 million investment in DayTwo. The Israeli startup, which develops technologies and solutions designed to improve the health of people with diabetes and other metabolic diseases, experienced major growth during Covid-19. Read more
11 Israeli fintech unicorns helping to change the world. Israel has more startup tech unicorns than all of Europe combined, and the fintech sector has seen its share boom over recent months. Read more
Novidea secures additional $15 million from IGP, bringing total series B to $30 million. The Insurtech company will use the funds to expand in the US and Europe. Read more
“We are looking for investments in companies that benefit humanity.” Ornit Shinar, director of Citi’s investment arm in Israel, explained how Citi will invest up to a trillion dollars in sustainable fields by 2030. Read more
“Companies that add meaning to their operations build a stronger brand.” At Calcalist’s ESG Investment Conference, Pitango’s Head of Impact and Sustainability Cecile Blilious called on industry trailblazers to make an impact. Read more
National Geographic names Haifa professor as an ‘Emerging Explorer’. University of Haifa’s Dr. Aviad Scheinin is the second Israeli to receive the honor. Read more
“ESG investments protect returns and reduce risks.” Speaking at Calcalist’s ESG Investment Conference, CEO of Migdal Insurance, Ran Oz added that “we can do both good for our clients and influence social trends.” Read more
Shuki Gleitman’s GIBF raising $300 million in China for second biotech fund. The Guangzhou Sino-Israel Biotech Investment Fund (GIBF) focuses on life science investments and cooperates with leading Guangzhou organizations to bring Israeli biotech firms to the massive Chinese metropolitan. Read more
Inclusion and climate change increasingly becoming a priority for investors. Carolina Minio-Paluello, Global Head of Product, Solutions & Quant, at multinational asset management company Schroders discusses assesing ESG investments. Read more
From the day he got his first computer, Orca Security co-founder Wagde Zabit knew he found his calling. How does one man from a small Arab community get to the top of Startup Nation? Read more
SentinelOne raised $100 million to fund Scalyr deal. An SEC filing from earlier this year revealed that the Israeli-founded cybersecurity company raised the funds in February, the same month it bought Scalyr, a cloud-scale data analytics platform, for $155 million. Read more
“It’s like eating Sushi with Tahina”: How Israel and Japan formed an unlikely business relationship. On paper, these countries and cultures couldn’t be more different – that’s what makes them so perfect for each other. Read more
The FemForward sisterhood that helps women in tech get their due.
FemForward, a Jerusalem-based project, encourages women to claim their place in tech. “They go through the program and they begin believing in themselves.” Read more
Vault AI has the technology to uncover Hollywood’s secret sauce. By analyzing more than 150,000 data points in a single script, the Israeli company can determine what shows and movies will be a success. Read more
Stopping infection spread in the office with a simple click. Israeli medical device startup Canario’s offering allows managers to keep the chain of infection under control, limiting further Covid-19 cases. Read more
Opinion | Are we reliving the past? Term sheet déjà vu. To negotiate attractive financial terms, startups must leverage lessons learned from previous financial events, including the dotcom bubble and 2008 global crisis. Read more
