June 26, 2017 | “Israeli is under three to five cyber-attacks at any given moment,” Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu said today at the CyberWeek Conference, held at Tel Aviv University. Despite Israel’s leading position in cyber-security, “it’s a constant challenge,” he said. “As we enter the world of Internet of Things, the need for cyber-security is growing exponentially,” Netanyahu said. “This is a problem for all governments.” In Israel, “our national cyber-security center not only responds to attacks, but also prevents them.” With 600-700 cyber-security startups, “it’s a great advantage for a company today to be Israeli,” he said. “A few years ago, I decided to establish Israel as one of the leading cyber countries in the world, and by all accounts, we’re there.”

June 25, 2017 | Israel’s Innovation Authority has created a visa program in which foreign entrepreneurs can choose among 12 approved “landing pads” to establish entrepreneurship initiatives. Of the approved organizations are various investment funds, incubators, and nonprofits, such as: Tel Aviv Global, TechForGood, Lighthouse, and TheHive. If an entrepreneur’s initiative matures into a company within the first 24 months, they are then qualified to receive an expert’s visa for up to five years.

June 25, 2017 | Israeli flavor and fine ingredient company Frutarom Industries has acquired 80 percent  Brasil Indústria E Comércio (SDFLC), a Brazilian producer of flavors for ice creams and desserts, for $33 million. This is Frutarom’s fourth acquisition in 2017, and will bolster the company’s presence in Brazil and Latin America. Founded in 1933, Frutarom is led by president and CEO Ori Yehudai. [Photo: Taura]  

June 22, 2017 | Israeli biomed company Gamida Cell has raised $40 million in a financing round led by Israeli venture capital firm Shavit Capital. Also participating in this round were VMS Investment Group, Israeli Biotech Fund, Novartis, Clal Biotechnology Industries (CBI) and Israel HealthCare Ventures (IHCV). Through this new support, Gamida will be able to push the commercialization of its flagship product NiCord, which facilitates in-bone marrow transplants. Founded in 1998 by Tony Peled, the company has so far raised $90 million.

June 21, 2017 | Technology giant Intel is teaming up with Israeli think-tank and venture capital firm Team8, to foster cyber-security innovation. The chip maker, which already employs thousands in the Startup Nation, joins current Team8 cyber syndicate members Microsoft, Cisco, Qualcomm, AT&T, Citigroup, Accenture, Nokia, Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors, and others. Intel will work with Team8 to secure future computing, IoT, mobile, automotive and cloud technologies. In other news, Israeli startup Illusive Networks said it would collaborate with Intel on cyber-security.

June 19, 2017 | Kaspersky Lab has opened a research and development center in Israel called the Future Tech Lab. Located in Jerusalem, the center will research cyber threats targeted at new technologies such as Internet of Things and automotives. Kaspersky Lab is a Russian cyber-security and anti-virus provider that has a presence in cyber-security hubs around the world. Researchers at the Future Tech Lab will work with other Kaspersky labs around the globe, providing organizations with information to protect against cyber-criminals.

June 19, 2017 | Israel’s CompuLab has filed for a $24 million IPO (initial public offering) on Nasdaq. Founded in 1992, the company is considered one of the world’s leading manufacturers of computer boards for embedded systems and miniature, fanless PCs.

June 15, 2017 | Israeli bio-pharmaceutical company Eloxx  has raised $24 million from Catalyst CEL Fund, Israeli venture capital fund for life sciences Pontifax, and others. The company develops treatments for patients with rare genetic diseases triggered by mutations like Cystic Fibrosis and Cystinosis. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Silvia Noiman, Eloxx recently merged with Sevion Therapeutics and became a Sevion subsidiary. Sevion will use the name Eloxx and attempt to list its shares on Nasdaq. [Photo: GeneG]

June 14, 2017 | Bancor, an Israeli startup that has developed a virtual currency conversion platform, yesterday raised $153 million in just three hours. This Initial Coin Offering is the second-largest fundraising campaign in the blockchain industry, according to Bancor. Founded in 2016 by Guy Benartzi, Eyal Hertzog, Yehuda Levi and Galia Benartzi, Bancor enables its users to instantly convert or trade their money.

June 13, 2017 | Israeli company Frutarom, one of the world’s largest companies in the field of flavors and specialty ingredients, has acquired 21 percent of the shares of Spanish natural ingredients company Nutrafur for $2.36 million, and is now the sole owner of Nutrafur. In September 2015, Frutarom – which was founded in 1933 by Yehuda Araten and Maurice Gerzon – purchased 79 percent of the shares of Nutrafur. [Photo: Courtesy of Taura]