US awards $30 million contract to Orbit Communications; Israel’s OurCrowd helps 160 startups raise $750 million; Israeli innovation hub to create billion-dollar success together with Danish company; and more!

By: Michael Ordman

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

$30 million Pentagon contract for Orbit

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $30 million contract to Israel-based Orbit Communications. Orbit will provide repairs and upgrades to communication technology aboard the U.S. military’s aging KC-135 refueling jets over a 5-year period.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3742596,00.html

OurCrowd is five years old

In its first five years, Israel’s leading global investing crowdfunding platform OurCrowd, has helped 160 startups raise $750 million. It supports 25,000 small investors from 120 countries.
https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2018/07/136087-ourcrowd-at-5-years-750-million-raised-for-160-companies-21-exits/

Maritime accelerator makes a splash

Of 6,000 active startups and companies in Israel, just 50 are in the maritime category. But now TheDOCK Innovation Hub has begun working with Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk to co-create the next billion-dollar success in next generation logistics, trade and supply chains.
http://nocamels.com/2018/07/dock-israel-maritime-accelerator/

$125 million to improve its image

I reported previously (see here) on Israeli startup Trax with its image recognition and analysis technology. Trax has just received an injection of $125 million to help it continue to enhance its vision technology at its Tel Aviv development center and explore engineering options in China.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-trax-image-recognition-raises-125m-1001244014

Dutch Christians sell Israeli products

John Farenhorst, a member of Netherlands’ Christian Friends of Israel, sells Israeli products at the Israel Product Center in Nijkerk, near Utrecht. IPC’s store has a mail order department with a network of over 200 volunteer salespeople who sell the products from their homes.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/boycott-of-israeli-products-not-at-the-israel-product-centre-in-nijkerk-holland/

2,000 SoftWheel wheelchairs for veterans

I reported previously (Sep 2015) on the plan for US Army veterans to receive revolutionary wheelchairs from Israeli startup SoftWheel. The US Department of Veterans Affairs has since approved 361 of the wheelchairs and a new deal makes that into a total of 2,000.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-veterans-get-smoother-wheelchair-ride-with-tech-twist-from-israeli-startup/

Riding the high seas

Israeli shipping giant Zim is to jointly operate lines between Asia and the US East Coast with vessel operators Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The accord will run for seven years. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-zim-strikes-alliance-with-global-shipping-giants-to-share-routes/

Skoda invests in Anagog

I’ve reported previously (here) on Israeli sensor company Anagog. Now Skoda, Volkswagen’s Czech subsidiary, is investing $1.5 million in Anagog. Porsche (Skoda’s sister company) and Daimler are already invested in Anagog.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3742693,00.html

Lufthansa start two routes to Eilat

German airline Lufthansa is starting twice-weekly flights from Munich and Frankfurt, in Germany, to Eilat, Ovda Airport, in Southern Israel, starting from 28 Oct 2018. They will be the first flights to Eilat by Lufthansa.
https://www.touristisrael.com/lufthansa-flight-munich-frankfurt-germany-eilat-israel/23427/

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