Dangling Like Spiderman, Making ‘Most Innovative’ List and More – This Week from the Startup Nation

Israeli Startup StoreDot raises $18M to Turn the Electric Vehicle Industry Upside Down

Advanced battery developer StoreDot Ltd. announced today that they had succeeded in raising $18 million in their latest round of funding. Investors leading the charge to finance the Israeli company include previous players like Norma Investments Limited on behalf of Roman Abramovich, as well as Singulariteam and Samsung Ventures. Counting this most recent round of funding, the company now sits on a total of $66 million in invested capital.

Having previously entered the market with a cell phone battery capable of fully charging in only 30 seconds, StoreDot has set its sights now on exploding into the Electric Vehicle (EV) market. With the new influx of funds, the company intends to develop the first high speed charging car battery that could serve to revolutionize the industry.

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Just Like Spiderman – SkySaver, an Israeli Rescue Backpack, Will Allow You Rappel Down Buildings

With thousands of skyscrapers around the world, and many more under construction, the new generation of mega-buildings calls for effective firefighting and rescue methods to keep tenants safe and away from danger.

One innovative evacuation solution is now provided by Israeli startup SkySaver, whose brand new emergency backpack is designed to help residents escape from high-rises. This lifesaving kit comes equipped with a cable cord that, in case of an emergency, is attached to a pre-installed anchor located near a window. When fire breaks out, the emergency device is strapped on with buckles that wrap around the waist and between the legs. Then, the individual starts rappelling down the side of the building. Yep, just like Spiderman.

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Forbes Names Two Israelis in Hollywood’s ‘Most Powerful Powerbrokers’

In a major feat for the Israeli entertainment industry, two Israeli billionaires made Forbes list of the fifteen richest Hollywood powerbrokers. Well-known Israeli billionaire and entertainment mogul Haim Saban was ranked sixth on the list of Hollywood’s string-pullers, only to be topped in fourth place by the Israeli-American businessman and CEO of Marvel Entertainment, Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter. International media influencer Rupert Murdoch led the list, including other big movie business names like Sumner Redstone and the creator of the legendary Star Wars epic, George Lucas.

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Israeli Technology from Intel to Power Google's 3-D 'Tango' Project

The quick 3-D progressing technology largely developed by Intel’s teams in Israel is to power a collaboration between the chip-making giant and Google’s Project Tango, Intel announced on Tuesday. Project Tango is a Google experiment in using smartphones and tablets to record an in-depth, 3-D environment. By adding new measuring tools and special cameras to its experimental mobile devices, Google has challenged developers to create software that can scan a room, map it in 3-D, and then use for anything from virtual reality game play to indoor navigation.

Lab Bus Helps Kids Hitch a Ride to College

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Israeli Startup to Help the Handicapped Overcome Obstacles

In places that aren’t handicapped-accessible, a single step can pose as a significant obstacle for wheelchairs. When Ilan Aviv's mother-in-law Adina started facing these kinds of difficulties four years ago, he promised to find her a solution. His frustration led him to develop an innovative technique, called Step-Up, which could change the lives of the handicapped worldwide. His development consists of a simple device installed on wheelchairs that help them overcome physical obstacles in their path.