CTech's Thursday Roundup of Israeli Tech News

2019 record year for digital health in Israel, data shows; the biggest Israeli tech funding rounds we reported on this year

CTech 14:4926.12.19

2019 record year for digital health in Israel, data shows. Israeli digital health startups raised $662 million across 69 deals as of November 2019, a 32% increase year-over-year, according to Start-Up Nation Central. Read more

 

2019 in Numbers | These are the biggest Israeli tech funding rounds we reported on in 2019. One of the year’s largest rounds, online used car retailer Vroom’s quarter of a billion dollars investment, closed earlier this month. Read more

 

Israel demands at least $290 million for privatization of Haifa Port. A second, private port is currently being constructed in the northern city, to be operated by China-owned SIPG for 25 years. Read more

Haifa Port. Photo: Reuters Haifa Port. Photo: Reuters
 
The traditional early stage investment model is obsolete. Early stage investments used to mean small sums, high risk, and the promise of high returns. Now, longer exit timeframes and the private money saturating the market mean specialized funds must adapt, or risk extinction. Read more

 

Israeli hackers unveil fake news network designed to push Trump merch. A network of dozens of websites continuously published fake news stories for years to target Trump supporters for ads pushing Trump hats, posters, and coins bearing Trump’s portrait. Read more

 

Israeli startup accelerator Fusion LA partners with VC firm GoAhead Ventures. Fusion LA also announced it is now receiving applications for its next cohort. Startups selected for the nine-week program will each receive a $110,000 cash investment, free office space in Santa Monica, and access to a network of investors and executives. Read more

 

Moldovan low-cost airline FlyOne launches Tel Aviv-Chisinau route. FlyOne’s flights to and from Tel Aviv will take off on Sundays and Thursdays, beginning in April 2020. Read more

 

Impact Investment | Enhancing educational technologies—through video and games. Innovative auxiliary tools for teaching and improving digital literacy have a positive influence on the education system. Eureka World and Annoto are excellent examples of technology companies with a significant impact on pupils, teachers, and the world of learning. Read more