CTech's Tuesday Roundup of Israeli Tech News

McDonald's acquires web personalization company Dynamic Yield; Nvidia and Mobileye have the same goal, different approaches, says Nvidia CEO

McDonald's acquires web personalization company Dynamic Yield. Dynamic Yield’s service uses machine learning algorithms to help businesses tailor their website to match individual consumers according to behavioral patterns. Read more

 

Video | Nvidia and Mobileye have the same goal, different approaches, says Nvidia CEO. On Monday, Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua lambasted Nvidia in an Intel blog post, writing that the American chipmaker has routinely followed the concepts and innovations Mobileye has pioneered. Watch the video

 

Abu Dhabi. Photo: Shutterstock

 

New York Times: Emirati surveillance firm poached NSO employees. According to a Thursday investigative report by the New York Times, Emirati cyber surveillance firm DarkMatter hired a group of former employees of Israeli surveillance company NSO. Read more

 

OurCrowd tops list of most active Israeli venture capital firms, says Pitchbook. The market research firm has compiled a list of the ten most active Israeli players in the local venture capital scene since 2014. Read more

 

Video | Israeli rescue UAV adapted for pesticide spraying. Pesticide manufacturer Adama has partnered with Israeli UAV developer Tactical Robotics to repurpose its vertical take-off UAV to agricultural use. Watch the video 

 

High government debt countered by strong finances leads Fitch to affirm Israel's A+ rating. Israel scores above the median on GDP growth and human development indicators, but low on government budget deficit, government debt, and ease of doing business. Read more

 

Despite alleged ceasefire, schools closed in Gaza, southern Israel. Following a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip Monday morning that directly hit a local home in a suburb northeast of Tel Aviv injuring seven people, Israel bombed Hamas targets in Gaza. Read more

 

Israeli spacecraft Beresheet went to the moon and all I got was this adorable onesie. One month after launching its moon-destined spacecraft Beresheet, Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL launches a merchandise line. Read more

 

Netanyahu rival gets points for looks, pundits say. Standing at 191 centimeters, the former Israeli general turned politician Benny Gantz can become one of the world’s tallest leaders if elected. Read more

 

Fintech startup Rewire raises $12 million. Israel-based Rewire develops a mobile banking platform for international cash transfers for foreigners without a local bank account. Read more

 

Gamified photo-sharing startup GuruShots raises $5 million. Founded in 2014, GuruShots develops an app that gamifies photo-sharing. Read more

 

Israel to offer free inter-city rides on election day. The free rides are intended to encourage those residing or working at a distance from their registered polling stations to vote in the upcoming general election. Read more