For the fourth time this Sunday, Israel will partake in "Hour of Code" – a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in over 180 countries. Hundreds of thousands of Israeli students will participate in the week-long event, beginning December 12, in which they will learn and share methods for writing code.

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Last year, more than 200,000 Israeli children took part in the event, which is the brainchild of Code.org – a nonprofit "dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups," according to its website.

Ever since its launch in the US in 2013, over 100 million children from 180 countries have participated Hour of Code events.

Israeli high-tech company Wix is spearheading the Hour of Code initiative in Israel, and again unveiled a new design for the event's Israeli website.

"Our vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core Kindergarten-12 education," according to Code.org.

Wix President Nir Zohar said: "Code and technology are everywhere these days – from vaccine and medicine development to space exploration, to creating cinematic masterpieces. The ability to write code and create via the relevant technology in every professional field helps solve problems, expedite processes, and influence the lives of millions of people.

"Every child, from everywhere in Israel, regardless of their background, needs the possibility to learn computer sciences in school, alongside the assortment of other core subjects being taught today. Israel is a consistent leader in terms of global innovation and every child in Israel should receive an equal opportunity to be part of high-tech nation in the future," he said.

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Four Israeli inventions have made it into Time Magazine's annual list of 100 best inventions "that are making the world better, smarter and even a bit more fun," the publication announced Wednesday.

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The four inventions and companies are ElectReon wireless vehicle-charging technology in the transportation category; SupPlant ag-tech solution in the smarter-farming category; OrCam Read in the accessibility category; and Percepto AIM for automated inspections in the artificial intelligence category.

ElectReon invented an in-road wireless electric vehicle charging technology for commercial, public, and passenger vehicles. The charging infrastructure wirelessly charges EVs on the road when they are in motion or at rest. The company is working on pre-commercial projects in Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Israel with plans to expand into North America.

SupPlant uses sensors to monitor crops' temperature and moisture, providing highly accurate instructions for farmers in 14 countries to maximize yields. An approach without sensors, intended for 450 million "smallholder" farmers in the developing world, is coming next.

OrCam Read is a first-of-its-kind handheld device with a smart camera that seamlessly reads text from any printed surface or digital screen. It is intended for people with mild low vision, reading fatigue, reading difficulties including dyslexia, and for anyone who consumes large amounts of text.

Percepto Autonomous Inspection and Monitoring software solution for industrial sites employs drones and robots to automate inspections, emergency response, and security. From data capture to AI-powered insights and reports, Percepto AIM is used by Fortune 500 companies around the world. The 2022 AIM upgrade will be unveiled on Nov. 17 and features AI-powered analytics for specific sectors such as solar, mining, energy, and oil and gas.

To assemble the 2021 list, Time Magazine solicited nominations from its editors and correspondents around the world, as well as through an online application process. It then evaluated each contender on factors including originality, creativity, efficacy, ambition, and impact.

The original version of this story was printed on JNS.org and was reprinted with their permission.

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Despite the global COVID pandemic of 2020, which affected nearly everyone on the globe, Tel Aviv high-tech companies and startups flourished, according to a new report published by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality and the IVC Research Center, which reviewed data about the city's innovation ecosystem as of Jan. 15 2021.

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According to the Tel Aviv Innovation Ecosystem Report 2020, Tel Aviv-based tech companies accounted for 20% of the Israeli tech workforce and generated nearly half of the total volume of investments and exits value in 2020.

An assessment of the Tel Aviv tech ecosystem by technology type of technology shows that the city is in continuous transition, from start-up city to deep tech capital. The leading tech clusters in Tel Aviv in 2020 were AI (Artificial Intelligence), Fintech, Big Data and SaaS. AI was the leading tech cluster in Tel Aviv, capturing 43% of all Israeli AI companies, followed by fintech companies (42% of all fintech companies). AI and cyber security cluster were the leaders in terms of investments and exits' volume.

The report also found that in 2020, a record $6.839 billion was invested in 416 Tel Aviv companies. This is 48% of the total investments in Israel and reflects an increase of 34% from 2019. Tel Aviv-based companies comprised 48% of all investments in Israeli tech companies.

In addition, the average round tripled over the past three years from $5.1 million to $16.4 million.

The report found that 60% of the investments in Tel Aviv companies went to scale-up companies, and 30% of the investments to the pre-scale companies. Early-stage companies attracted just 10% of the volume of capital, in line with same trend across Israel.

Over two-thirds (68%) of all investment in Tel Aviv companies was made by foreign investors based in 35 countries, led by the US, followed by the UK, China, and Germany.

When it comes to exists, Tel Aviv tech startups and companies hit a record exit value of $4.43 billion in 53 deals in 2020, 46% of all Israeli exits for the year by value and an increase of 20% over 2019 and a huge leap compared to 2016, which saw $883 million in 36 exits.

Three Tel Aviv companies completed IPOs in leading stock exchanges: NYSE, Nasdaq and Euronext in 2020.

In addition, the report noted that of Tel Aviv's 20 tech unicorns (companies valued at $1 billion or more), 14 reached unicorn status during the pandemic year.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said that "The Tel Aviv-Jaffa innovation ecosystem enjoyed a remarkable year, breaking many records. Throughout the report, it is clear that outstanding human capital is one of the main reasons for the success of the ecosystem.

"Tel Aviv's talent is a magnet for multinational corporations and foreign investors who join the growing local scene of innovators. The tech industry demonstrated its value to our city and country throughout this challenging year, while its cutting-edge ideas and developments remain at the forefront of global innovation. Tel Aviv-Jaffa will remain an international center of attraction for human capital and financial capital," Huldai added.

Taking a broader look at the Tel Aviv tech scene, the report says that 29% of all tech companies in Israel are based in Tel Aviv, which also hosts 115 multinational R&D centers. In the past five years, the number of tech companies active in Tel Aviv grew by 25% compared to a 16% increase in all of Israel, the report notes.

Meanwhile, the years 2016-2020 have seen 44% growth in the number of Tel Aviv-based investors, notably in VC funds and investment groups. According to the report, Tel Aviv witnessed 89% increase in the number of VC funds and 70% increase in the number of venture capital management companies. Foreign investors, who account for 68% of all investors in Tel Aviv companies during 2020, are based in 35 countries, led by the US, followed by the UK, China, and Germany.

Guy Holtzman, founder and CEO of IVC Research Center said, "With 50% of Tel Aviv startups currently at growth stages of development, the city becomes very attractive for foreigners, as shown by the growing number of multinationals and investors involved in Tel Aviv's tech life."

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Israeli startups that succeed in the US attract media attention, but more and more Israeli initiatives are active in Europe, a new report reveals.

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How active? A total of 912 Israeli startups currently operating in 28 European Union countries employ 24,223 EU residents, according to a map of Israeli startup activity in Europe compiled by the EIT Hub Israel, ISERD, and Israel's CQ Global recruiting company that was presented Wednesday evening at an event celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of business relations between the EU and Israel.

In Germany, 240 Israeli startup companies provide employment to 3,135 Germans, while in France 183 Israeli startups employ 1985 people.

The report found that 49% of all companies conduct sales and marketing activities in Europe and 15% have research and development operations there.

Over one-third of the Israeli startups in Europe come from the information and software tech sector. Others are active in the internet, telecommunications, biomedical, and clean tech spheres. The full report can be read here.

The authors of the study conducted in-depth conversations with officials at startups operating in Europe, and 37% of them said they anticipated growth this coming year. Sixteen percent 16% of the companies surveyed received assistance from the EU during establishment and expansion phases.

Yotam Tzuker, Head of Business Development at CQ Global, cited the geographical proximity between Europe and Israel, combined with the long and extensive history of political, social,

"The report stems from the lack of a comprehensive picture regarding the state of Israeli companies in Europe and their mutual contribution towards economic development, particularly in the field of employment. We hope that this data will assist startups who wish to operate in Europe, as well as investors," Tzuker said.

Adi Barel, Managing Director of EIT Hub Israel, an initiative founded in 2019 to serve as a bridge between the Israeli and EU innovation ecosystems, said, "The economic potential is inherent in the business relationship between Israeli technology companies and the European market. This report is part of a strategy to deepen ties between Israel and Europe and increase the basket of business opportunities in the fields of innovation."

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The Abu Dhabi office responsible for attracting foreign and domestic investment recently opened a mission in Tel Aviv and signed agreements with two offices at Israel's Economy Ministry aimed at accelerating private sector collaboration in the fields of innovation.

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The agreements are part of a series of strategic initiatives by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to create further opportunities for Israel's private sector.

Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, the chairman of Abu Dhabi's Economic Development Department, said that "as a regional leader in technology and R&D, Abu Dhabi sees synergies with Israeli entities across multiple innovation-focused sectors including AgTech, biomedicine and advanced manufacturing. The cooperation agreements mark a significant milestone on a journey to advance collaboration between our two markets in pursuit of solutions that can benefit the wider region."

In a statement, Economy and Industry Minister Amir Peretz said his office was "delighted to support the cooperation agreements between Invest in Israel and also the Israel Innovation Authority with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. We are confident that these mutual alignments will further strengthen the economic dialogue between Israel and the UAE [United Arab Emirates] and promote collaboration between the nations."

ADIO CEO Tariq Bin Hendi said, "Abu Dhabi is an established destination for businesses and startups from all over the world. We have had an amazing response from Israeli companies and are currently in discussions with a large number of Israeli entrepreneurs, startups, and businesses about expanding to Abu Dhabi, some of which already have. The cooperation agreements with Invest in Israel and the Israel Innovation Authority will accelerate partnerships and opportunities for businesses in our two markets. It is truly amazing to see how far we have come since our initial meeting with Ziva Eger [who heads the Economy Ministry's Foreign Investments & Industrial Cooperation] and her team at Invest in Israel in the days following the announcement of the Abraham Accords. Both of these partnerships and much of the activity to date can be attributed to that historic moment."

Chief Scientist and Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority Ami Appelbaum called the agreement "a unique opportunity to leverage the UAE's dynamic economy and Israel's sweeping innovative culture. This collaboration will benefit both countries, building on Abu Dhabi's standing as a global hub for business and innovation and an industry and finance trendsetter, and Israel's creative entrepreneurial spirit and breakthrough academic research. The agreement catalyzes partnerships between Emirati and Israeli companies at all growth stages as well as institutions, investors, startups, and aspiring entrepreneurs for the development of advanced technological innovations in leading sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. We are fostering mutual economic growth, technological diversity, and sustainability across both regions. It is by combining the UAE's and Israel's respective strengths and engaging in best practices, that both countries will be able to spearhead transformation and design the future impacting the lives of people in the UAE, Israel and worldwide."

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A year into the global COVID pandemic, January 2021 turned out to be a blockbuster year for the Israeli startup scene, with Israeli startups raising a record $1.44 billion, the NGO Start-Up Nation Central reports.

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According to SNC, six start-ups raised more than $100 million each (mega rounds) during the month, totaling 73% of the amount raised Israeli firms in January. Furthermore, the mega-rounds in January 2021 alone equaled nearly 30% of the total number of mega-rounds in the entire year of 2020 (21 total).

The companies that completed the six mega-rounds announced during January 2021 are Rapyd Financial Network (Fintech), which raised  $300 million in a D Round; Drivenets (Network Infrastructure), which raised $208 million in a B Round; OwnBackup (Enterprise solutions), which raised $167.5 million in a D Round; digital health company K Health ($132 million in an E Round); E-Commerce firm Resident Home ($130 million in a B Round); and Fintech firm Melio ($110 million in a D Round).

This marks the highest number of both mega-round and general investments made during a single month in Israeli start-ups. To compared, there were three mega-rounds in January 2020, none in January 2019 or January 2018. The mega-rounds in January were led by US investors.

The analysis by SNC concluded that the January 2021 data reflected "investor confidence in Israel's innovation ecosystem curing the COVID-19 pandemic."

Director of Research at Startup Nation Central Meir Valman observed that "The record level of fundraising in recent months is driven by two effects. One is the increasing maturity of the Israeli tech ecosystem, when rapidly growing startups are able to raise much larger rounds. The other is the effect of COVID-19 on Israeli companies, which pivot rapidly to address the challenges of the pandemic, but that will also stay relevant long after it is gone."

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Granulate is proud to announce that its autonomous computing workload optimization and cost reduction solution has been recognized as the DevOps Innovation of the year at the Tech Ascension Awards.

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Granulate provides real-time computing performance optimization with its AI-driven solution that tailors computing workload prioritization for a company's needs.

"We are honored to be recognized as the DevOps Innovation of the year in the Tech Ascension 2020 awards," said Asaf Ezra, CEO and co-founder of Granulate.

"DevOps is helping to accelerate IT innovation across the world," said David Campbell, CEO Tech Ascension Awards. "We're excited to be able to recognize companies like Granulate for their outstanding technical and business benefits."

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IMPROVATE was launched in September 2020 with a vision of making innovation and technology accessible to all.

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The IMPROVATE conference brought agriculture ministers of five African nations – the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) – together with representatives of Israeli tech companies to discuss their countries' particular food supply challenges.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair opened the conference.

"Food security is a huge challenge, and it was a challenge before COVID, which has just deepened that challenge," Blair said.

"This is a huge opportunity to use technology to help lives, to improve lives, to save lives, to improve the quality of agriculture in Africa, to help Africa fulfil its potential as a major source of food, not just for Africans, but for the world... This is something that is transformative, groundbreaking and will change the world," Blair added.

A total of 10 leading Israeli companies presented solutions to challenges laid out by the African representatives in fields that ranged from drip irrigation to solar-powered fisheries to methods of increasing dairy production. Israel Discount Bank offered financial cooperation.

Science and Technology Minister Izhar Shai, who took part in the conference, said that "Innovation today leads the dialogue between nations and reinforces the importance of peace between peoples."

IMPROVATE founder and chairwoman Irina Nevzlin noted that "During periods of crisis, people tend to focus on the problem, on its causes, and on who is to blame. But the important thing is to understand the source of the problem, and we believe in the need for a platform that enables leaders and companies to focus on the solutions to problems. '

"That is the role of IMPROVATE," Nevzlin said.

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"The program aims at accelerating innovative diagnostic technologies from the Israeli health tech ecosystem that address global healthcare challenges," the firms announced in a joint statement.

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The collaboration, called StarFinder Lab, will focus on "identifying and cultivating disruptive AI-driven data as well as digital healthcare solutions from the agile and highly skilled Israeli health tech ecosystem," according to the statement.

Funding, mentoring and strategic support will be provided to newly-formed or existing ventures chosen for the StarFinder Lab program. Elected entrepreneurs will have "access to global expertise from Roche and aMoon to build and tailor technologies for product-market fit."

Applications for the StarFinder Lab program will open in October 2020.

"As a world-renowned digital innovation hub, Israel has robust entrepreneurial resources that can provide solutions to major challenges faced by the healthcare industry," said Dr. Yair Schindel, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at aMoon.

CEO of Roche Israel Avi Danziger said the program "offers a unique strategic partnership model from concept to global market."

This article was originally published by i24NEWS.

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Edouard Cukierman, a founding and managing partner at Catalyst Investments – a leading private-equity multi-fund firm in Israel – is also chairman of Cukierman & Co. Investment House, one of Israel's largest boutique advisory firms. With more than two decades of experience in the venture capital and private equity industries, he has a unique vantage point in assessing the challenges posed by the current crisis to the Israeli startup and technology sector.

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Cukierman, who served as a reserve officer in the Israel Defense Forces' Crisis and Hostage Negotiation Team and in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, recently held a large online conference to expose the Israeli market to international investors.

The conference is part of a series of conferences, usually held in physical locations, called "GoforIsrael." The recent online meeting drew more than 600 investors, reported Cukierman, but he said that what surprised him is that "it also brought more than 100 Israeli companies that are developing technology to combat COVID-19. This shows that the private sector in Israel responds very quickly to crisis and certainly faster than the government here."

Cukierman stressed that even during a crisis of this scale, companies in Israel are taking the initiative, though he noted that many are nevertheless sustaining significant economic damage.

One reason for that, he explained, is that unlike American and European companies, which have very large local markets to cater to (and no travel restrictions to face in Europe), the Israeli tech and startup scene is aimed almost exclusively at international markets. "Today, the Israeli company representatives cannot travel abroad. They can conduct online and Zoom meetings, but we see that this reality is challenging Israeli companies," said Cukierman.

The absence of a physical presence in overseas markets is having an effect; Israeli companies cannot compensate with the local market, meaning they have hit a significant predicament.

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An even larger challenge, said Cukierman, is the fact that many international investment funds that usually operate in Israel, and which enable mergers and acquisitions, are not currently active in the country. "It is very hard for these funds to invest in Israel right now because they can't arrive and conduct due diligence. We are one of the few countries that remains totally closed," he said.

For high-tech companies in Israel, raising funds from investors is the primary way to reach significant profit. More than $8 billion was raised in the Israeli market in 2019 by international investors. This year, said Cukierman, he estimated that this would go down to approximately a billion dollars.

"My assessment is that although the first half of 2020 was relatively good, that was because of the due diligence that occurred beforehand, which takes around eight to nine months to carry out. The third and fourth quarters will see lower results. This will have an impact on the high-tech industry," he stated.

Last year saw $20 billion in mergers and acquisition deals in Israel. That number is likely to be far lower in 2020.

"This creates a very big challenge," said Cukierman. "On the other hand, it also allows those funds that do have money to make attractive investments for those who can invest."

'Values that help them think outside the box'

Despite the crisis, Cukierman remains hopeful that the power of Israeli entrepreneurship will overcome the challenges eventually. "In our country, we have unfortunately dealt with many crises, and we can respond efficiently and rapidly, especially in the private sector – more so than the government," he said.

The highly skilled workforce that powers the high-tech economic engine makes Israel highly attractive to international investors, he added. "Technological entrepreneurship has turned us into a regional and global influencer," he said.

Cukierman was critical about the way that the government was responding to the pandemic and the slow pace of the crisis response. When compared to the private sector, he said, "we can unfortunately see that they function at a very different pace. We see how the high-tech sector holds up the country economically. To emerge from this crisis, the private sectors will likely enable this more than the government."

In 2013, Cukierman published the first edition of Israel Valley: The Shield of Technological Innovation, which tells the story of Israel's success in building one of the world's leading high-tech economies. The book explores the historical factors that have brought about such development.

He credits the military as playing a significant role in some of Israel's competitive advantage. "We were the only fund that invested in [the autonomous driving vision company] Mobileye. We looked at seven competitors. One of the main reasons that led us to invest in Mobileye is that while the competitors knew how to identify red lights and white lines on the road, only Mobileye could identify people. This Israeli technology is based on algorithms, real-time insights, and last-second diversions, which came from Israeli military technology. It's not coincidental that many of Mobileye's developers come from Unit 8200 [Israels largest intelligence gathering unit] and other military units."

Young people from military backgrounds also have learned to take on many responsibilities, creating a quality personnel that is difficult to replicate, noted Cukierman.

And finally, "another very important aspect is the value system that comes from Judaism – tikkun olam, the desire for freedom, the Passover story," he pointed out. "These have found expression in startups, in companies that initiate. Some of the values that help them to think outside the box come from Judaism."

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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