Eyal Bar-Zvi

Is it shopping season for Israeli technology? The recent surge in M&A activity in Israel is the most significant sign of hope and optimism I’ve seen since October 7th. It demonstrates the potential of Israeli tech and the faith placed in it by top global companies. When technology leaders choose to further expand into Israel and acquire local teams, you know financial outlooks are positive. In cybersecurity - often the poster-child of Israeli tech - we’ve seen five acquisitions in quick succession totaling more than $1Bn. Flow Security by CrowdStrike (~$200M), Avalor Security, a Zscaler Company ($350M), Gem Security (acquired by Wiz) ($350M), Silk Security by Armis ($150M) and Entitle by BeyondTrust (~150M). All are led by exceptional individuals, well done! Perhaps more telling is the emerging AI industry. Last week NVIDIA announced its acquisition of two companies for a combined value of $1Bn. Congratulations RunAI ($700M) and Deci AI ($300M). Mainstream media is so focused on the voices of a racist minority calling for boycotts and divestments that they fail to capture actual news. Antisemites might yell the loudest, but the actions of multinational corporations speak louder than words. I am optimistic about the future. Are you?

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Tel-aviv has improved its position among the top startup ecosystems worldwide according to Startup Genome's 2024 report (https://lnkd.in/dN3aUa_h). What a powerful evidence of Israeli startup and innovation environment's resilience and the unshaken trust of the global investor community. The Israeli high-tech sector remains to be the engine of the nation’s economy, accounting for 18% of GDP, 48% of exports, and 11% of workforce. At Tachles VC we are proud we can back the next generation of cyber, cloud and infrastructure AI Israeli-born start-ups. Karel Tušek, Sivan Kanev, Boris Chovnik, Robin Bienfait

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Together We Invest. is proud to present our portfolio companies, winners of the Israel Innovation Authority grants for 2024! Every year the Innovation Authority carefully selects the winners from a long list of start-up companies, which received the quality mark after a professional and comprehensive evaluation process, to encourage investments in groundbreaking Israeli technology companies. Over the years, Together Investments' mission has been to lead and support pioneering Israeli high-tech companies with significant disruptive technology. Again, in 2024, we are proved to be correct! The 2024 winning companies join the long and prestigious list of Together Investments’ portfolio companies, which have passed the rigorous and comprehensive screening process and received significant investments from the Israel Innovation Authority. We wish all the winners the best of luck and great success ahead.  Your success is everybody's success. For more information about the portfolio companies that won investment by the IIA fo 2024: https://lnkd.in/d5jSvbs6 Every few days, we will share one of our portfolio companies that won th the investment grant by the Israel Innovation Authority.  We will delve into the company’s background, the story behind the idea, the technological depth, the team, and more. NovaSightHT BioImaging (HTVet)NYX TechnologiesBetalin Therapeutics Ltd.SanollaSizer TechnologiesCardiacSenseOncoHostUPnRIDEResmetrix Medical LtdTamar Robotics Ltd.Israel Innovation Authority רשות החדשנות #Innovation #Investment #Success #HighTech #IsraeliStartups #TogetherInvestments #DisruptiveTechnology #IsraelInnovationAuthority #AwardWinners2024 #TechInnovation #VentureCapital #Startups #TechLeaders #PortfolioSuccess #Entrepreneurship

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The Israeli high-tech sector is strong and will emerge even stronger after the crisis. Institutional investors in Israel must, however, invest more to help the industry. Over the past decade, the high-tech market has proven to be highly profitable, evidenced by numerous mergers and acquisitions. High-tech must be a significant component of investment portfolios. Our role is to revitalize the market. Without the support of institutional investors, it will be challenging to attract foreign investors. Yesterday, I was privileged to speak on the Alternative Investments panel moderated by Roee Bergman from Calcalist כלכליסט at the Future Investments 2024 conference by Calcalist and Migdal Group. I want to extend my gratitude to my fellow panelists: Keren Kalifa, CEO of G City Israel; Amir Hessel, Founding Partner of Arbel Fund; Dr. Navot Bar, CEO of Keystone Reit; and Mor Assia, Co-Founder and Partner at iAngels, for an inspiring discussion. #HighTech #Investment #Israel #InstitutionalInvestors #Innovation

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"Staying under the radar for an extended period has definitely become common recently, not only in Israel but globally," he explains. "The idea is not to reveal a company immediately after a Seed round but to wait, allowing things to mature before unveiling the company after two or even more rounds. This way, the funding amounts accumulate, and the numbers become more significant." "However, maintaining a low profile isn’t just about timing. This approach is convenient for companies for various other reasons, which came up in conversations with key figures in the industry. Many cited the need for secrecy to reduce pressure on entrepreneurs during the early stages of building a startup, as well as to avoid revealing technology that isn’t yet mature. Another major factor is the shift in the labor market: companies no longer need to compete aggressively for talent and, therefore, aren’t pressured to enter a hiring race. Some also mentioned a more relaxed approach among funds and investors. During the boom years, many suffered from FOMO (fear of missing out) and were quick to invest and announce investments to avoid being left out. Today, they are evaluating opportunities more carefully. One person even noted a subtle competition among entrepreneurs who served together in secret military units, each seeing who can stay under the radar the longest. And beyond these industry-specific reasons, the general atmosphere in Israel has led many to avoid flaunting their successes."

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NeuReality Raises $20 Million From European Innovation Council Fund NeuReality, an Israeli startup, raised $20 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, Varana Capital, Cleveland Avenue, XT Hi-Tech and OurCrowd to make AI data centers faster and cheaper. NeuReality developed an AI-centric system architecture that enables companies to run generative AI applications and large language models (LLMs) without overinvesting in scarce and underutilized graphics processing units (GPUs). The investment from the side of the EIC Fund, the venture arm of the European Commission’s EIC Accelerator program, addresses the 2 important industries for Europe, that are expected to be major drivers of economic growth in the coming years – advanced semiconductors and AI. NeuReality was co-founded by CEO Moshe Tanach, VP Operations Tzvika Shmueli, and VP VLSI Yossi Kasus. Source: https://lnkd.in/gbJbdjTr

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As a result of the war, the Israeli defense industry and defense-tech companies have been at the forefront. A recent article I wrote for Calcalist כלכליסט explains how we can leverage the significant investments made in defense industries and their outstanding achievements for environmental sustainability and overcoming climate change. Dual-use technology refers to technologies that can be used for both military and civilian purposes, thereby maximizing the advantages of advanced technologies. A drone is a great example of dual-use technology – on one hand, it can be used for military surveillance, and on the other hand, it can also be used to monitor climate-related changes such as methane and other GHG emissions monitoring, weather patterns, etc. In the article, I provided more examples of dual-use technologies, including satellite technologies and green transportation. Defense industries and Israeli defense-tech companies can play a central role in dual-use technology. Investing in dedicated bodies like Capital Nature can provide the necessary network and market access for these technologies. This can revolutionize both sectors and drive progress towards a safer and more sustainable future. #DualUseTechnology #Defensetech #ClimateCrisis

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In this episode, we speak with Shmuel Mizrachi Ginat. He’s an entrepreneur and venture capital investor with deep experience in business development, capital raising, investments, and M&As. Shmuel has helped raise close to 100 million USD for over 80 startups and has personally invested in 17 Israeli startups. He’s the founder of Crowdinnio, a holding company with ventures in P2P lending, secondary markets, crowdfunding, and more. He also founded EvE, an investment banking firm specializing in M&As, guiding startups through capital growth and regulatory challenges. We discuss: - The challenges of investing in early-stage startups and the importance of diversifying investments - How Shmuel’s belief that his generation onwards will live at least till 100 impacts his investment strategy  - The importance of chemistry between co-founders and the need for a strong team to support each other - Growing a network while being an outsider in a new market - And much more! We hope you enjoy your listen! Listen on your default podcast app: https://lnkd.in/dKKvEnSF We’re excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט – Israel’s leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa. If you’re not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene. Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves. You’re also welcome to follow Ronen and Noa on Linkedin: Ronen Menipaz Noa Eshed🎗️ And if we may ask for a favor – please leave us a review on your native podcast app. #reallifesuperpowers #entrepreneurship #podcast #leadership

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Today, Koby & I had the privilege of meeting Adv. Hila Rom 🎗, the dynamic Founder & Managing Partner of RUNI Ventures, a venture capital fund affiliated with Reichman University in Israel. Hila is a true powerhouse, blending her extensive experience as an entrepreneur, investor, and business leader to drive innovation and empower the Israeli startup ecosystem. Under her leadership, RUNI Ventures has quickly become a game-changer, providing early-stage funding and resources to extraordinary tech founders. During one of the most challenging years in Israel, Hila and her team managed to build a new fund, partner with top-tier investors and already made 9 (!) investments in groundbreaking startups – a testament to the confidence investors have in Hila’s leadership and in the brilliant founders she backs. RUNI Ventures offers unparalleled support to startups, including access to top talent, expert mentorship, and a global network, all aimed at nurturing the next wave of Israeli innovation. It’s inspiring to see Hila Rom and Reichman University working hand in hand to fortify Israel's visionary innovators building disruptive tech companies 💡✨ If you’re as passionate about supporting visionary founders and driving innovation as we are, RUNI Ventures is definitely a group to watch! As far as we at Sakal Group Family Office are concerned, we've already spotted a few collaborations between our portfolio companies. #Leadership #Innovation #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #ReichmanUniversity #RUNIVentures #WomenInBusiness #Israel

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Unique Israeli #LegalTech company? We're here to give you the scoop 🤖 Join us for an interesting conversation with Dor Goldiner - the CEO and founder of Cligal - a pioneering legal work optimization company in #Israel. In a nutshell? Founded in 2017 and acquired in 2022 by #Axioma Information Solutions - CLIGAL is becoming a real benchmark for Israeli #lawfirms. Click for the full interview 🤓

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Israeli Startup Raised $20 Million to Expand Precision-Spray Tech Greeneye Technology, an Israel-based precision agriculture tech company, raised $20 million. Deep Insight, an Israeli investment company, led the round with participation from existing investors Syngenta Group Ventures, JVP, Orbia Ventures, and Mellanox. Farmers increasingly face challenges with spraying chemical herbicides via conventional broadcast. Greeneye’s technology can detect and spray only those areas with weeds, rather than hitting crops or bare ground. Greeneye will use the funding to scale up its operations in the USA and introduce new features and capabilities to its system. “A big concern today for farmers is, they’re running out of tools to manage the weeds on the farm because of resistance,” explains Greeneye CEO Nadav Bocher. “Farmers are getting excited about this technology not only because of the savings but also because of the options it opens as far as weed control”. The total funding the startup raised is $45 million. Greeneye launched its technology in 2022. Source: https://lnkd.in/dWt2cCBq

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No matter what challenges reality brings, Israeli startups continue to deliver. Thanks Calcalist כלכליסט and Bank Hapoalim בנק הפועלים for continuing to support our ecosystem. The only thing I would change in the article is my picture.. its about time 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️ #nomatterwhat Glilot Capital Partners

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The Israeli tech sector has indeed shown remarkable resilience during times of conflict, including the recent escalation of violence. Several factors contribute to this resilience: 🇮🇱 Robust Infrastructure: #Israel has a well-established tech #ecosystem with strong infrastructure, including advanced telecommunications and #cybersecurity measures, which helps companies maintain operations even in challenging circumstances. 🇮🇱Adaptability: Many tech companies in Israel are used to operating in a dynamic environment. This #adaptability allows them to pivot quickly and implement emergency protocols as needed. 🇮🇱 Government Support: The Israeli government often provides support to the tech sector via Israel Innovation Authority רשות החדשנות and more during #crises, including #financial aid and resources to help companies navigate challenges. 🇮🇱 Global Market Reach: Many Israeli tech firms have a global customer base, which can provide some insulation from local #disruptions. This international presence allows them to continue operations and generate revenue despite local challenges. 🇮🇱 Innovation and Agility: The culture of #innovation in Israel encourages companies to develop new solutions #rapidly, often leading to the creation of products that address emerging needs during crises. 🇮🇱Community and Collaboration: The tech #community in Israel is known for its #collaborative spirit, with companies often supporting each other during tough times, sharing resources and knowledge. Despite the challenges posed by conflict, the resilience of the Israeli tech sector highlights its ability to adapt and thrive even in adverse conditions. #Israelgroup #Legalmarketing #Funding #Startupnation #AI #MA https://lnkd.in/dUWGbM7c

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Pitango Venture Capital (#LSIEurope24 Investor) is one of Israel's largest and most established venture capital firms. Founded in 1993, Pitango has a diverse portfolio and a strong track record having invested in over 250 companies with more than 85 become publicly traded companies or acquired by strategic players. Pitango has raised more than $3 billion to date and invests via three dedicated funds: 1. Pitango First - is a seed and early-stage VC fund that focuses on investing in companies that they believe will make a positive impact on the world. 2. Pitango Growth - the objective is to catalyze growth for tech companies, driving them from their early growth stage of 10 million in revenue to becoming worldwide powerhouses with revenues reaching into the hundreds of millions. 3. Pitango HealthTech - dedicated health tech, medical device, and life sciences investment fund. Let’s take a closer look at Pitango’s Healthtech fund: The HealthTech fund invests in companies from seed and early stage to commercial stage companies across the healthtech sector, from digital health, to medical devices and diagnostics, to foodtech, ag-tech, biotech and life sciences. Pitango has invested in over 50 healthcare companies over the years with 15 of them successfully exiting to date. Pitango’s HealthTech portfolio includes companies like: • Altesa BioSciences, Inc. (Brett Giroir) • Magenta Medical Ltd. (#LSIAlumni - David Israeli, MD) • Medisafe® (Omri Shor) • Vertos Medical (Eric Wichems) • among others We’re thrilled to welcome Ittai Harel, Managing Partner at Pitango Venture Capital, to LSI Europe '24 this September 16-20th in Sintra, Portugal. Want to see what other investors are joining us at LSI Europe ‘24? Head over to our website to see a preview.

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Israeli Startup That Secures AI Use Raised  $18 Million Aim Security, an Israeli platform that governs and secures AI use across the business environment, raised an $18 million in a Series A funding round led by Canaan Partners, with participation from YL Ventures. “At Aim, our mission is clear: to serve as the trusted AI security ally for enterprise security leaders and allow organizations to confidently unleash the potential of these technologies within their environment, knowing that Aim is their protection layer.” - said Matan Getz, CEO of Aim Security. Matan Getz (CEO) and Adir Gruss (CTO) founded Aim which is developing a platform specifically tailored for AI’s unique threats, including sensitive data exposure, supply chain vulnerabilities, harmful or manipulated outputs and the emergence of attack methods such as jailbreaks and prompt injection. Source: https://lnkd.in/ducenVqU

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Join me, Fusion VC, Deloitte Catalyst, and Google for Startups Israel for a special event dedicated to the future of #fintech in Israel! This event will host Venture Capital investors, rising founders, and industry experts to discuss latest industry trends and tech. Registration link in the first comment. See you there!

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IVC Data and Insights report on the Israeli venture market for Q1-Q3 2024 reveals: - $7.4 billion invested in Israeli startups, surpassing the entire 2023 total of $6.9 billion. - $13 billion generated from exits, a 26% increase from 2023's $10.4 billion. - 23% surge in foreign investments year-over-year. - 67% of capital sourced from global investors, with 33% from Israeli funds. - $2.7 billion secured by early-stage startups, the second-highest figure in Israeli startup ecosystem history (after 2022's record). These figures demonstrate investors' confidence in the long-term sustainability of the Israeli startup ecosystem. Trust received, challenge accepted. We're building the future, brick by brick.

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The title is off a bit, as both of these firms are actually reopening offices. Welcome back! In 2006, Berkshire Hathaway completed its first foreign purchase - a company called Iscar less than 10 miles from the Lebanon border. As Thomas Friedman wrote at the time: "Buffett paid $4 billion for 80 percent of Iscar and the deal just happened to close a few days before Hezbollah, a key part of Iran's holding company, attacked Israel in July 2006, triggering a month-long war. I asked Iscar's chairman, Eitan Wertheimer, what was Buffett's reaction when he found out that he had just paid $4 billion for an Israeli company and a few days later Hezbollah rockets were landing outside its parking lot. Buffett just brushed it off with a wave, recalled Wertheimer: "He said, 'I'm not interested in the next quarter. I'm interested in the next 20 years.' " Wertheimer repaid that confidence by telling half his employees to stay home during the war and using the other half to keep the factory from not missing a day of work and setting a production record for the month." Ultimately, the acquisition was so successful that Buffet paid an additional $4B to exercise the option on the remaining 20%. Israeli tech has shown its trademark resilience once again since the Hamas invasion. Clearly these top firms understand value when they see it.

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Israeli Cyber Startup Raised $70 Million Torq, an Israeli Cyber company, raised $70 million in a Series C round led by Evolution Equity Partners, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Notable Capital, Greenfield Partners, and Strait Capital. In 2024, Torq has raised $112 million, following a $42 million expansion of its Series B in January. To date, the company has raised $192 million. Torq's AI-based cybersecurity platform connects an organization's security infrastructure to streamline the detection and response to cyber incidents. It automates complex processes on a large scale, reducing the workload on human analysts. Torq was founded in 2020 by Ofer Smadari (CEO), Leonid Belkind (CTO), and Eldad Livni (CINO). The startup employs around 180 people in Israel and the U.S. and plans to hire 130 employees. Source: https://lnkd.in/diPUaEMb

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