Israeli military expertise join commercial space race
Israel is embarking on a five-year mission to stake its claim on a crowded new frontier, the $250 billion a year commercial space market. Using the expertise of a defense industry that created technology such as the “Iron Dome” missile interceptor, Israel plans to move beyond its current focus on spy and military communications satellites into producing civilian devices, some small enough to fit in your hand.
Hebrew University receives grant to boost crop yields
American Friends of The Hebrew University (AFHU), announced that The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel’s leading academic and research institution, is the recipient of a competitive $789,000 grant from the United States Agency for International Development’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program (USAID/ASHA). The grant will fund the establishment of the Unit of Correlative Microscopy at the University’s Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Israel’s only academic and research Faculty dedicated to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.
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Haredim (Ultra-Orthodox) to enter High-Tech
Although higher education, military service and professional pursuits still are discouraged in favor of yeshiva studies, the economic reality of supporting large families and the desire to be part of the modern tech revolution are driving a sea change among the Haredi community in Israel. In fact, an estimated 12,000 Haredi Israelis are currently qualified to work in the high-tech industry.
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PayPal to acquire another Israeli startup
CyActive, an Israeli start-up that says its technology can disable viruses before they are even created, is being acquired by international payments firm Paypal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sources said that the deal was worth at least $60 million. This will be PayPal’s second acquisition in Israel. In 2008, the company bought out financial fraud monitoring company FraudSciences for $169 million.
Google-glass technology being used by IDF
The IDF continues to ambitiously develop and harness technology of the 21st century with the goal of preventing harm to combat soldiers. The IDF’s Development Branch, which is in charge of the development of forthcoming technology in the military, has been at the forefront of technology like the IDF’s “Google Glass” and the use of applications. Recently, this branch has been inspired from previous operations to advance technology that provides real-time information on the battlefield in order to prevent harm to the soldiers.
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