Google's “Big Boss” Praises Israel's Tech Success
“Israel is booming in terms of entrepreneurship because you have a culture that allows you to challenge authority and question everything. You don't follow the rules,” Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt said in an address to hundreds of students and researchers at the Weizmann Institute. Last week, he was on a short visit to Israel.
Game-Changing Startup Raises Another $25 Million
Confusing or complicated website and software design can cost companies a lot in lost traffic and business, but for one startup, it’s a problem that is proving to be lucrative. WalkMe, which has developed a platform that integrates with existing software and sites to help guide people through using them — used by companies like eBay, Salesforce and Expedia — has raised another $25 million in an oversubscribed round of funding.
This Series D was led by Greenspring Associates — the group that invests in other VC funds like Accel, CRV, NEA and Scale Venture Partners; as well as directly in a range of cloud-based businesses like Alibaba, JW Player, Cloudflare and more. Others in this round included existing investors Scale Venture Partners, Giza Venture Capital and Gemini Israel Ventures.
Read more “>here.
Israel and Norway Launch a Special Volcano Program with EU Grant
The European Union is pitching in to support a joint project by Israel’s Elbit and Norway’s Nicarnica Aviation that will enable commercial airline pilots to cope with volcanic ash – a common phenomenon that has resulted in numerous near-accidents, delays, and a near-total shutdown of European airspace for almost a week in 2010.
The two firms last year signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the AVOID (Airborne Volcanic Object Imaging Detector) system to help pilots avoid flying into ash-contaminated areas, and ensuring that they can continue to fly safely if they do come across ash. Last week, the EU’s Eurostars research program approved funding for the project.
Read more “>here.
New Israeli- Made App Help Fight Cyber Bullies
The internet abounds with dangers for unwary users and is especially perilous for children whose inexperience renders them vulnerable to hackers, bullies, and pedophiles or worse. In response, an Israeli nonprofit called Red Button has produced the world’s first app that lets anyone, especially kids, easily report negative web behavior. The Red Button app installs itself as a service on Android devices, and there is also an add-on version for popular web browsers like Firefox and Chrome.
Read more “>here.
UN And Israel Sign Agreement to Apply Israeli Space Tech To Disaster Zones
During the 58th session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna, Austria, the United Nations’ Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) signed a cooperation agreement with Israel to use the country’s satellite technology to save lives following natural disasters and in space emergencies. According to the agreement, Israel will apply its satellite technology, namely the Earth observation satellite “OPTSAT 2000”, to gather information on issues of environmental protection, water management, urban planning, humanitarian assistance following natural disasters and more.