CTech's Tuesday Roundup of Israeli Tech News
Israeli venture capitalist warns against cybersecurity, AI collaborations with China; French Insurer AXA's venture arm launches second early stage fund with $150 million
14:4022.01.19
Israeli venture capitalist warns against cybersecurity, AI collaborations with China. Former Israeli lawmaker and venture capitalist Erel Margalit said Israeli collaborations on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence projects should be restricted to democratic regimes. Read more
French Insurer AXA's venture arm launches second early stage fund with $150 million. The fund will invest up to $6 million apiece in startups in North America, Europe, and Israel. Read more
Alibaba's Jack Ma. Photo: Reuters
AXA and Deutsche Bank, back financial management startup Zeitgold. Zeitgold develops an accounting mobile app designed for small businesses. The company raised 10 million euros. Read more
Entrepreneur sees a future filled with seawater seaweed farming pools. Marine biologist Yossi Tal, the chief technology officer of algae farming company Seakura, sees seaweed as the future of sustainable farming. Read more
WeTechBerlin conference to showcase Israeli startups. Calcalist will host a two-day tech and innovation conference in Berlin on February 18-19. As part of the event, Calcalist is leading a delegation of some 50 Israeli startups. Read more
New Israeli medical technologies fund aims to close $150 million in commitments by end of year. CBG Asset Management, an investment firm owned by U.K.-based businessman Vincent Tchenguiz, is one of the partners in the venture. Read more
Israel’s sole ski site closes following missile attack. The Hermon opened for the season on Sunday, when several thousand of its skiers and visitors witnessed the iron dome successfully intercept a surface-to-surface missile launched towards Israel from Syria. Read more
Stock devaluation hobbles acquisition of Bezeq's controlling shareholder. Private equity firm Searchlight has cut its acquisition offer for Israel-based Internet Gold's stake in subsidiary BCOM, which controls Israel's largest telecom Bezeq. Read more
Israeli finance minister to meet in Davos with Amazon, Google. Moshe Kahlon, who is in Davos, Switzerland to participate in the annual World Economic Forum, announced the meetings in an interview with Israeli Military Radio. Read more
New international airport opens for business near Israel’s southern resort town Eilat. The new airport will replace the smaller Ovda airport, currently serving the country’s southern region. Read more