CTech's Weekly Roundup of Israeli Tech News
China blasts the U.S. over warnings on Israeli infrastructure projects; How Tel Aviv became an unlikely sandbox for non-Israeli tech companies looking to expand services
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. Photo: Reuters
How Tel Aviv became an unlikely sandbox for non-Israeli tech companies looking to expand services. One of the densest tech innovation hubs in the world, the small size of the predominantly Hebrew-speaking Israeli-market used to mean technology services came here late. 2018 signaled a wind change. Read more
WeTechBerlin conference to showcase Israeli startups. Calcalist will host a two-day tech and innovation conference in Berlin on February 18-19. As part of the event, Calcalist is leading a delegation of some 50 Israeli startups. Read more
Facing a possible indictment, Netanyahu launches aggressive election campaign. By winning the upcoming election in Israel, Netanyahu may still have a chance to prevent his own indictment on charges of bribery. A local social media strongman, the Israeli leader stalled anti-propaganda legislation that would have put a check on the strategies his Likud party applied in past and present campaigns. Last week, the Likud launched a campaign targeting four Israeli journalists, at first publishing ads on billboards and social media anonymously. A crowdfunding campaign started by a Likud operator seeks to raise $1 million to pay for Netanyahu’s legal fees.
Entrepreneur sees a future filled with seawater seaweed farming pools. Marine biologist Yossi Tal, the chief technology officer of algae farming company Seakura, sees seaweed as the future of sustainable farming. Read more
Florida governor pledges revenge against Airbnb's decision to ban Israeli settlements. In November, Airbnb announced it will be removing “approximately 200 listings” in Israeli settlements in the West Bank from its service. Read more
Covert burger delivery service takes over Tel Aviv. Operated by a man who identifies as The Professor, the clandestine service delivers a small batch of hamburgers ordered through a Whatsapp chat, sometimes days in advance. Read more
IPOs and M&As
Itamar Medical to raise $11.5 million in private placement. Read more
German business intelligence company Adjust acquires fraud prevention startup Unbotify. Read more
Playtika completes acquisition of mobile gaming outfit Supertreat. Read more
Augmented Reality Company Meta Company’s Assets Sold. Read more
Investment funds
New Israeli medical technologies fund aims to close $150 million in commitments by end of year. Read more
French insurer AXA's venture arm launches second early stage fund with $150 million. Read more
Fattal Hotels sets up traveltech investment venture. Read more
Crowdfunding company OurCrowd to invest in new $30 million cannabis fund. Read more
Startup funding rounds
AXA and Deutsche Bank, back financial management startup Zeitgold. Read more
AI microprocessing chipmaker Hailo raises $8.5 million. Read more
Cloud startup Lumigo raises $8 million. Read more
Overstock.com’s Patrick Byrne backs digital wallet startup Colu. Read more
Data warehousing startup Varada raises $7.5 million. Read more
Commercial real estate startup CrediFi raises $6 million. Read more
Israeli company spikes popcorn, pizza, and iced coffee with cannabis. Read more
