Good News Israel presents Israel has one of the best bike rental systems worldwide; Artificial Reality becomes a reality and much more.
By Michael Ordman
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
One of the best bike rentals in the world
USAToday has rated Tel Aviv’s Tel-O-Fun bike-sharing program as the 8th best of 533 similar facilities around the world. Tel-O-Fun began operations in Apr 2011. Its 2000 bicycles provide around 9,000 individual rides per day.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/losing-its-training-wheels-tel-avivs-bike-share-scheme-turns-five/
Israel’s surging stock market
Here is a detailed analysis of the economic and political factors behind the recent gains in Israel’s stock market. Note the statement that Israel “is the dominant leader in technological innovation, which is pulling solid capital into the country.”
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/170629/inside-the-surging-israel-etfs
See the forest through the trees
An interview with Ben Rudin of Israel’s Intelescope. As reported in my 29 Mar 2015 newsletter, Intelescope uses drone and satellite imagery to provide critical data on the forests that cover 31% of the earth’s land mass. It can also predict and help fight forest fires and diseases.
http://m.alleywatch.com/alleytalk/8187-this-nyc-startup-literally-helps-you-see-the-forest-through-the-trees
Why every teen should run a startup
Please watch Michael Matias (son of Google Israel Director Yossi Matias) as he explains the value of building a startup when you are still at High School. Michael, in his gap year, is organizing events around the world inspiring students to develop innovative apps and products.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/google-scion-whiz-kid-hacks-his-way-to-idf-service/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t402XK1kzu0
Music Messenger takes South America
The world’s 20th most popular music app is Israel’s Music Messenger. It averages one million new users a month and has just raised $35 million of funding from investors including UK Chelsea soccer club owner Roman Abramovitch and ex Abba star Benny Andersson.
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6538989/music-messenger-app-nicki-minaj-david-guetta-gee-roberson-roman-abramovich
Ryanair really wants Israel
Europe’s largest airline Ryanair is resuming talks in Israel to operate flights from Tel Aviv to several destinations in Europe with return tickets at around €140 (about $150). “We want our flag in the State of Israel”, said Ryanair’s deputy director of route development, Kate Sherry.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4648497,00.html
Georgia looks for Israeli cyber security partners
A delegation of 32-member team from the US of Georgia has returned from visiting Israel and is enthusiastic about attracting Israeli cyber security companies to the US State.
http://www.georgia.org/2015/04/20/israel-cyber-security-georgias-opportunity/
67 portfolio companies
Israel’s OurCrowd, the world’s leading equity crowdfunding platform, marked Israel’s 67th birthday by announcing its 67th portfolio company. ElMindA (see Sept newsletter) developed the world’s first FDA-approved neural functional assessment tool to visualize serious brain trauma and illnesses.
http://blog.ourcrowd.com/index.php/67-2/
Artificial Reality becomes a reality
I featured the Artificial Reality goggles from Israel’s RideOn on 15 Feb 2015 and 5 Apr 2015. RideOn hoped to raise $75,000 by crowd-funding on Indiegogo. It actually raised over $113,000. Delivery is expected in Sept 2015.
http://www.sporttechie.com/2015/04/22/hi-tech-goggles-bring-augmented-reality-to-the-slopes/
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rideon-the-first-true-ar-goggles-for-snow-sports
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