Israel’s economic and technological growth over the last 20 years was “unprecedented”; Israeli private high-tech companies raised an all-time high of $4.8 billion in 2016; Chinese auto manufacturer Qoros is opening an R&D center in Israel, and much more.

By Michael Ordman

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel’s growth is awesome

Ambassador Ettinger summarizes Israel’s economic and technological growth over the last 20 years as “unprecedented.”  And the last 12 months wasn’t bad either.  The second video details many of the foreign investments in Israel – totaling $3.76 billion last year.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/QfecZF3xvQA?rel=0
https://www.youtube.com/embed/mAFDSBnk7Ik?rel=0

Israeli hi-tech companies raise record $4.8 billion

Israeli private high-tech companies, a main driver of the country’s economy, raised an all-time high of $4.8 billion in 2016, up 11 percent from 2015.  The ability to raise funds has allowed Israeli startups to grow and cut down dramatically the number of early exits.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-tech-funding-idUSKBN14U13O

Qoros to set up Israeli smart car R&D center

Chinese auto manufacturer Qoros is opening a Research & Development center in Israel aimed at developing an electric smart car. The R&D center would develop networks for charging electric vehicles, vehicle sharing, etc.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-qoros-to-set-up-smart-car-rd-center-in-israel-1001169580

The startup that test-drives startups

Israeli startup ProoV is the first ever “pilot-as-a-service” and the only one in the world. It offers a platform to allow independent software vendors (i.e. startups) to demonstrate their proofs of concept (i.e. early-stage developments) to global enterprises (i.e. big companies).
http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/ProoV-the-start-up-that-test-drives-start-ups-for-the-worlds-largest-companies-477238

Universal flu vaccine gets $2.8 million investment

I’ve reported previously many times about the Universal Flu vaccine being developed by Israel’s BiondVax. The biotech has just received $2.8 million of funding from Angel Investments – managed by Israelis Dr. Yair Schindel and Marius Nacht, founder of Israel’s Checkpoint.
http://www.israel21c.org/high-tech-investors-pump-2-8-million-into-bio-tech/

Israel is a hotspot for Australian startups

Up to 40 Australian trade delegations visited Israel in 2016.  An estimated 400 people attended The Bridge, an Israel-Australia investment summit, held in Sydney in November. And almost all thought that Israel could teach Australia how to build an innovative economy.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/innovation/the-new-hot-spot-for-australian-startups-20161015-gs33oo.html

An Israeli supermarket in New York

Israeli supermarket chain Osher Ad has opened its first New York branch, named Bingo, in Brooklyn. If successful, more stores could be opened in cities with large Jewish communities.  Osher Ad is Israel’s fourth-largest supermarket chain, numbering 15 stores.
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=38219

Customers saved $250 million

Israel’s Optimal+ analyzed more than 50 billion semiconductor devices on behalf of its customers in the 12 months to Oct 2016.  The information has saved its customers in excess of $250 million through improved yield, efficiency and quality.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161116005460/en/Optimal-Saves-Customers-250-Million-12-Month-Period

Over 5,000% growth in revenue

AnyClip, the world’s first personalized, content-driven video advertising platform, has been ranked by Deloitte as second of the fastest growing technology companies in Israel and 14th outside of the USA.  AnyClip’s revenue has grown by 5,141% since 2012.
http://www.anyclip.com/anyclip-ranked-the-14th-fast-growing-company-on-deloitte-2016-technology-fast-500-emea-list/

 

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