The Government of Israel Economic Office in Houston
September, 2006
Serving as a bridge between Israel and the U.S. states within our geographical area*, The Government of Israel Economic Office in Houston promotes partnerships and the expansion of trade among businesses operating in the two locales. This objective is achieved by providing companies in Israel and our geographical region with up-to-date information on industry trends, identifying investment opportunities, and fulfilling requests to locate potential strategic partners. The office also facilitates partnerships by organizing official visits to and from Israel, as well as by arranging business trips, meetings, and conferences for companies in both countries.
*Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
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The Government of Israel Economic Office (IEO) in Houston
2 Riverway, Suite 740
Houston, TX 77056
Tel: 713-599-0290 Fax: 713-599-0296
Houston@moital.gov.il
Consul for Economic Affairs: Joseph Abraham josepha@israeltrade.gov.il
Director of Strategic Partnerships: Russell Levine rlevine@israeltrade.gov.il
Director of Business Development: Adam Roberts adam.ro@israeltrade.gov.il
Contents
Page
News from the Office……………………………………………………….2
Ø Israeli companies Arcoline and Geomage participate in Rice Alliance
Energy Technology Venture Forum
Ø Israel Economic Office will exhibit at nanoTX’06
Business Headlines from Israel…………………………………………….2-4
Past IEO Affiliated Events………………………………………………………..4-5
Business Opportunities from Israel………………………………………...7-8
Ø Israeli companies seeking business relationships with companies
or individuals based in the U.S.
“Today, we are combining two market-leading businesses to create the most powerful management software portfolio in the industry. Together, they will help customers cut their IT costs, speed the delivery of new services and drive profitable growth at HP. We expect this important acquisition to deliver significant value for our shareholders.”
Hewlett-Packard President and CEO Mark Hurd, commenting on HP’s
acquisition of Mercury Interactive for $4.5 billion—the largest acquisition in the history of Israel's high-tech industry.
News from the Office
Israeli companies Arcoline and Geomage participate in Rice Alliance
Energy Technology Venture Forum
The Israel Economic Office in Houston informed early-stage Israeli energy companies about the Rice Alliance Energy Technology Venture Forum. As a result of these efforts, five Israeli companies submitted executive summaries in response to the Call for Papers and two companies—Arcoline and Geomage—participated in the event by presenting 90 second elevator pitches and exhibiting.
Arcoline (www.arcoline.co.il) is developing a superior novel grid protection, Fault Current Limiting Circuit Breaker (FCL-CB, usually called by professionals: Fault Current Controller – FCC, a term reserved for FCLs having additional grid disconnection capabilities). The product is designed for Electrical Distribution Power Networks. With this technology, Arcoline can supply protection against short-circuits to electrical distribution networks up to 35kV/3000A and short-circuit currents up to 40kA. Arcoline’s FCL-CB has zero impedance in normal operation, comparing to most actual protection methods consuming significant power, it will increase energy efficiency and conservation.
Geomage (www.geomage.com) offers comprehensive seismic solutions with its innovative Multifocusing Integrated Technology (MFIT). Targeting the oil and gas exploratory industry, Geomage’s core solution provides high-level seismic data processing and visualization with a unique software environment. MFIT allows high quality 2D and 3D model independent imaging, and provides the critical information required for optimum decision making.
Israel Economic Office in Houston Will Exhibit at nanoTX’06
The Israel Economic Office will exhibit at the nanoTX’06 Conference and Expo (www.nanotx.biz) taking place at the Dallas Convention Center from September 27-28, 2006. The Israel Economic Office will display informational materials on Israeli nanotechnology companies and organizations at its booth.
nanoTX’06 is presented by the Texas Nanotechnology Initiative—a non-profit corporation comprised of a consortium of industry, universities, government and venture capitalists whose mission is to establish Texas as a world leader in the discoveries, development and commercialization of nanotechnology.
Business Headlines from Israel
Recap of Investments
09/13/06 EZchip Technologies Secures Additional $4 to $6 Million Financing
09/12/06 Enure Networks Closes $8 Million Round A Funding
09/12/06 Celtro Raises $7 Million
09/12/06 E-mail Company Impactia Raises $1 Million
09/11/06 Nanotech Company Sol-Gel Raises $7 Million
09/11/06 Battelle Ventures, L Capital Partners Invest $10 Million in Hi-G-Tek, Inc.
09/11/06 L Capital Partners Leads $7.5 Million Financing of Aquarius Technologies Inc.
09/07/06 Mobixell Networks Raises $8 Million
09/06/06 Enterprise Software Company Serendipity Raises $5.1 Million
09/06/06 Digital PCB Printing Technology Company Printar Raises $8 Million
09/06/06 Enterprise Software Company Serendipity Raises $5.1 Million
09/04/06 Medical Device Company Ovalum Raises $3.4 Million
09/04/06 Collplant Raises $1.5 Million
09/03/06 dbMotion Raises $6 Million
08/29/06 Attunity Raises $5 Million in Private Placement
08/28/06 Zend Technologies receives $20 Million in Series D Funding
08/27/06 Elron Electonic Industries Leads $12 Million Investment in Neurosonix
08/27/06 Silent Communications Raises $1 Million for Chinese Joint Venture
08/24/06 Endogun Raises $1 Million
08/23/06 B-Hive Raises $7 Million in First Financing Round
08/22/06 FTTP Solutions Company Lamba Networks Raises $8 Million
08/21/06 Maayan Ventures Invests NIS 3 Million in Hearing Aid Company Audiodent
08/15/06 Magnum Invests in Chip Company Siverge
08/14/06 AMIMON Raises $14 Million to Bring Wireless HDTV to Market
08/11/06 Insurance Software Company SeaPass Raises $11.5 Million
08/10/06 InSightec Raises $15m, Defers IPO
08/08/06 3D Imaging company Prime Sense Raises $9 Million
08/02/06 Hair Removal Device Company AppliSonix Raises $4.5 Million
08/02/06 Catalyst 2 Completes First Closing: $50 Million
08/01/06 Infinity Venture Capital Leads US $4.5 Million Round in Applisonix
07/31/06 WiMAX Company WiNetworks Raises $11 Million
07/31/06 Athlone Global Security Makes Investment In EMZA Visual Sense, an Israeli Homeland Security Company
07/31/06 Surf Communication Solutions Completes $8M Funding Round
07/30/06 Targetech Incubator Invests $450,000 in EZ2CAD
07/24/06 TransPharma Medical Completes $18 Million Series C Financing
07/12/06 Crow Technologies Raises $8.8 Million from Fortissimo Fund
07/05/06 Kontera Secures $7 Million in Funding from Sequoia Capital and Lehman Brothers
07/03/06 MetaCafe Lands $15 Million More for Filtered Video Sharing
07/02/06 CRM Software Company e-Glue Raises $10 Million
06/29/06 Dune Medical Devices Raises $12.5 Million
06/27/06 SAN IP solutions SanRad Raises $10 Million
Notable Acquisitions
09/03/06 Gmul Energy Buys 74 US Gas Stations for $51 Million
08/28/06 Medtronic Buys Odin for $9 Million
08/23/06 Comverse Buys French Company Netonomy for $19 Million
08/02/06 Israel's Osem to Buy Bonjour Chain for 117 Million Shekels
07/30/06 SanDisk to Acquire M-Systems
07/26/06 Francisco Partners Buys Library Tech co Ex-Libris for $62 Million
07/25/06 HP Buys Mercury Interactive Corporation for $4.5 Billion
07/19/06 Unity Wireless to Acquire Wireless Network Coverage Enhancement Solutions Developer Celletra Ltd.
07/18/06 Amdocs Buys Private UK Company Cramer Systems for $375 Million
07/12/06 J&J Completes $159 Million ColBar Acquisition
07/12/06 US Company Dentsply Buys Start-up Uri-Dent
07/11/06 Software Giant CA Acquires Israeli Company XOsoft
07/07/06 Xerox to Buy Israeli Start-up XMPie for $40-50 Million
07/07/06 NICE Completes Acquisition of IEX Corporation
07/06/06 AudioCodes Buys US Company Netrake for $10 Million
06/27/06 Marvell to Purchase Intel's Communications and Application Processor Business
for $600 Million
Other Articles of Interest
09/10/06 Serono, Novartis to Boost Israel Activities
08/22/06 Orthodontix and Protalix Announce Merger Agreement
08/14/06 Teva Announces Launch of Generic Zoloft
08/03/06 BigBand Networks to Expand Israeli Workforce
08/03/06 Intel Launches New Israeli Developed Chip
08/02/06 First 'Green Incubator' Launched
07/31/06 Predix to Collaborate with Amgen on Drug Development
07/25/06 Weizmann Team Cracks Code of DNA Strand
07/17/06 VC Investment in Israeli Companies up 4% in Q2
07/07/06 NANO-EM Blends Water, Diesel for a Cleaner Nano-fuel
(Selected links to articles and press releases concerning Israeli-founded companies with a presence in our geographical area)
09/06/06 Ituran Receives $14.6m Follow-on Order from South Korea
09/04/06 CollPlant Raises $1.5 Million
08/07/06 Daewoo Electronics and Metalink Collaborate to Provide Wireless
High-Definition Video Streaming
07/05/06 Alon Completes Purchase of El Paso Convenience Stores
Past IEO Affiliated Events
Israel – A Leading Source of Technological Innovation
The Government of Israel Economic Office in Houston, in conjunction with the International Center of Austin (www.icaaustin.org) and the Austin Technology Council (www.austintechnologycouncil.org), held Israel – A Leading Source of Technological Innovation at the facilities of the International Center of Austin from 8-11am on Tuesday, August 29th. The event was generously supported by Platinum-level sponsor DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary (www.dlapiper.com), and Gold-level sponsors Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com) and Bridgepoint Consulting LLC (www.bridgepoint-consulting.com).
Featured speakers included: Robert O’Dell, Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Wintegra (www.wintegra.com); Arie Brish, CEO, Tehuti Networks (www.tehutinetworks.net); and Sean Connors, President of Clockwork Solutions USA (www.clockwork-solutions.com). Using their companies as case studies, the speakers provided insight as to why many multinationals are choosing Israel as their base for R&D.
Mr. O’Dell gave a very informative presentation on how Wintegra balances functions between their Israeli and US operations to achieve operating efficiencies. He also noted Israel’s strength in human capital with a special focus on engineering, and how this factored into the company’s decision to have its R&D center based in Israel. Mr. Brish focused largely on The Office of the Chief Scientist’s (OCS) incubator system (details at www.incubators.org.il), and in particular the Technion Entrepreneurial Incubator Company (TEIC), which nurtured Tehuti Networks. Mr. Brish pointed out that Israel has a highly educated workforce, a high R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP, and a high ratio of high tech exports as a percent of total exports. Mr. Connors also explained why Clockwork Solutions maintains its R&D operations in Israel. Among the reasons cited were: the company’s core technology grew out of Israel; the IP rights were purchased by investors in Israel; Israel is centrally located, providing a base for sales and marketing activities to Asia and Europe; and Israel’s comparably inexpensive labor force.
Also speaking was Joseph Abraham, Israel’s Consul for Economic Affairs in Houston, who provided information on different avenues for partnering with Israeli companies, and the resources available to facilitate partnerships. Mr. Abraham highlighted the US-Israel Bi-national Industrial Research Foundation (BIRD) (www.birdf.com), which stimulates, promotes and supports industrial R&D of mutual benefit to the U.S. and Israel. In addition, Mr. Abraham presented information on major events taking place in Israel, with a special focus on Telecom Israel 2006 (www.telecom-israel.com).
Telecom Israel 2006
Building on the success of Telecom 2004, which attracted 150,000 visitors and 385 exhibitors, Telecom Israel 2006 will introduce Israel’s most recent innovations to the international telecom community. The Telecom Israel 2006 events will include an International Exhibition, in which the world's biggest producers and leading service providers will participate and will include professional interdisciplinary conferences, comprised of key note speeches, panels, discussions and workshops, with the guidance of the Steering Committee and participation of leaders in the world telecommunication community, analysts and regulators. Exhibition topics will include: bluetooth; optical fiber and transmission equipment; broadband communications technology and equipment; satellite communications equipment; CDMA, GSM, GPRS, IVDO, UMTS; SDH technology and equipment; communications software and telecom billing systems; telecom and Internet solutions; communications terminal equipment; telecom machine room facilities; data communications and video conference systems; telecom testing and measuring instruments and meters; intelligent network; telecom security services; Internet communications systems and IP telephone; trunk call communications systems and equipment; micro-wave communications systems and equipment; wireless access and integrated cabling systems; mobile communications technology and equipment; basic and value-added telecom services; network management and control; mobile electronic commerce; virtual operation call centers; short message service (SMS, MMS); PDA; Mobile E-mail; IPTV ; content solution & application; and NGN.
Ms. Prema Zilberman
Kenes Exhibitions
Tel: +972-3-972-7598 Fax: +972-3-972-7588
E-mail: pzilberman@kenes.com
Alternative and Renewable Energy Conference
The event will be held within the framework of the Prime Minister’s Conference for Export & International Cooperation.
The conference will cover the following subjects:
· Trends and Initiatives in Alternative/Renewable Energy Technologies
· Israel’s Capabilities in Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies
· Leading Edge Information on Renewable Energy Investment Opportunities
· International Cooperation Opportunities
· Analysis & Forecasting of future energy scenarios
Featured speakers and panelists will include:
· Experts in alternative and renewable energy: solar, wind, hydrogen, biofuels, etc.
· Senior officials from the US Department of Energy
· Senior officials from the Israeli Government
· Senior management of leading alternative energy companies and institutional investors
The Alternative and Renewable Energy Conference is organized jointly by the BIRD Foundation, the U.S.-Israel Science & Technology Commission, the Ministry of National Infrastructures, the Israeli Export & International Cooperation Institute, the Foreign Trade Administration/Investment Promotion Center and the Manufacturers Association of Israel. The conference is highly relevant to companies active in this field, investors, researchers, policy makers, economists, financiers, government officials and others.
The organizers invite your participation and/or sponsorship.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Yael Hollander
BIRD Foundation
Tel: 972-3-6470710 ext.301, Mobile: 972-54-8071963
Email: yaelh@birdf.com
Plasto Ispack 2007
The largest ever exhibition of Israeli plastics, rubber & packaging industries will open in Tel-Aviv's Exhibition Gardens on January 15th 2007. Plasto Ispack 2007 will showcase Israel's world-renowned plastics, rubber and packaging technologies and integrated solutions. Emphasis will be placed on agricultural products, a field of special concern for the Middle East generally and Israel in particular. Israel's plastics, rubber and packaging industries, which are among the most advanced industrial sectors, place special emphasize on innovations, small-batch production, high quality and quick delivery. This event offers an ideal place for exhibitors to present their up-to-date equipment and products to professionals from the industry. Attendees will learn about the latest developments, meet key industry people, and strike new and profitable deals. Plasto Ispack 2007 will host more than 800 represented firms from Israel and abroad and will cover over 20,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space. The exhibition is organized by the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center Ltd. under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and in cooperation with the Society of Israel Plastics & Rubber Industry and the Institute for Advancement of Packaging & Design
For further information, please contact:
Ms.Liora Elkies
Projects & International Relations Director
Tel: 972-3-640-4480 Fax: 972-3-640-4497
E-mail: info@israel-trade-fairs.com
For more details on the following opportunities, please contact Russell Levine by e-mail at rlevine@israeltrade.gov.il or by phone at 713-599-0290.
Business Opp. #1
Netpro, a producer of spy, telephone and computer products, is seeking importers/distributors and buyers for its products. The company’s main product is Diva Lite USB telephone recorder. For more details, please visit the company web site at www.netproil.com and contact Mr. Tsuberi Inon at +972-3-909-8777 or e-mail at netpro@zahav.net.il. .
Business Opp. #2
Visual Mind, a young company specializing in printing on varied materials (canvas, PVC vinyl banners, vinyl mesh, adhesive vinyl, cardboard, and more), is seeking distributors for its exclusive services. For more details, please contact Mr. Ori Ofer at +972-8-859-3900 and (cell) +972-54-662-2115, or ori.ofer@gmail.com.
Business Opp. #3
Real Time Ltd., a manufacturer of Time Attendance & Access Control Terminals, is seeking to increase exports of its products. For more details, please visit the company web site at www.rt-ltd.com and contact Mr. Noam Ahsual, International Marketing, at +972-3-768-4444 or noam@rt-ltd.com.
Business Opp. #4
Exportis Ltd., an exclusive worldwide producer of medical equipment, is seeking distributors for its products. The company provides innovative and patented medical devices for emergency medicine, homecare, family medicine, occupational medicine and telemedicine. The products are certified with: CE Mark and FDA approval (ECG Belts). The company is ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 approved. For more details, please contact Mr. Arie Mazor at +972-50-651-1877 or info@exportis.co.il.
Business Opp. #5
MSL Israel and Solarpath Inc. (MSL's US extension) are both Israeli owned and operated companies, dealing with renewable energy products and technologies. The company offers the following products: solar powered pavement markers - revolutionary ultra-capacitor based, LED-illuminated road marking devices, for enhancing of road safety, saving human lives, money and energy for road operators around the world; solar energy collection and supply systems for private and public applications (from private homes to office buildings); light emitting tiles - unique and beautiful decorative light emitting elements, attractive solution for any exterior illuminated decoration need of homes, businesses or public areas; ultra-capacitors for sustainable and general energy storage. For more details, please contact Ori Aldubi, Business Development, at (US) 1-888-333-7652 ext. 801, (Int’l) +1-201-490-4499, (cell) 917-502-0127, or ori.a@solarpathusa.com.
www.amcham.co.il - The Israel-America Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Israel) is a voluntary organization of companies and individuals dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of two-way trade and investment between Israel and the United States. AmCham Israel offers Israeli companies the initial access to the U.S. business arena, and helps U.S. companies find Israeli counterparts for mutual cooperation. AmCham Israel, established in 1965, has more than 700 members and is affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. The U.S. Ambassador to Israel serves as Honorary Chairman of the AmCham.
www.ats.org - The American Technion Society (ATS) provides critical support to the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, ranked among the world's leading science and technology universities. For more information about the American Technion Society, please contact Rachel Dvoretzky at 713-682-7592 or by email at Rachel@ats.org.
www.birdf.com - BIRD, the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation, often plays a proactive role in bringing potential strategic partners together. In the US, the companies BIRD seeks are mostly public, or at least bound in that direction, and engaged in the development and manufacture of life science or high technology products. The potential of these companies to grow is perceived as limited only by their capacity to devise and develop new products. In Israel, the companies BIRD recruits have leading edge technological and production capabilities, are flexible, and are eager to join forces with an American company in product development and commercialization. For more information, please e-mail Joseph Abraham, who is assisting with BIRD’s activities in the southern U.S., at josepha@israeltrade.gov.il.
www.bioisrael.com - BioIsrael is the hub site of Israel’s life sciences community and the leading source of news about Israeli biotechnology and medical device companies. For the international biopharmaceutical and financial community, BioIsrael offers an inside look at the people, technologies and companies that make up Israel’s fast-growing bio-medical industry. For the local life sciences community, BioIsrael offers vital information about overseas strategic partners, investors and service providers. For employers and job seekers, BioIsrael is a great place to meet.
www.bsf.org.il - The United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), established by the governments of the United States and Israel, is an additional link in the long tradition of scientific cooperation between the two countries. BSF activities are determined by an agreement between the governments of the United States and Israel, signed in September 1972. The BSF supports cooperative research projects of mutual interest to the United States and Israel, concerned with science and technology for peaceful purposes. Basic and applied research projects are considered.
www.businesswire.com/israel/ - This site is an information service that provides the latest investment news on Israeli and Israeli related companies profiled in the "Standard & Poor's database of Israeli Public Companies" (www.standardpoor.co.il). The service is provided free of charge from M.G.M. International Publications Ltd., licensee of Standard & Poor's Retail Investor Services.
www.cbs.gov.il – Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics collects, processes and publicizes statistical information on the country’s population, economy and society.
www.chamber.org.il/english - The Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC) is one of Israel's largest business organizations. With its finger on the pulse of the country's economy, the Federation is regarded as one of the most influential and most dynamic organizations of its kind in Israel. Strictly non-profit, non-political and non-partisan, FICC is dedicated to a market economy and free enterprise. As the country's largest employers association, FICC is one of the leading members of the coordinating council of Israel's economic organization, and represents the interests of Israel's business.
www.export.gov.il - The Israel Export Institute provides a contact point between Israeli businesses and the international community. The organization’s web site contains information about programs initiated by the institute, export-import trade transactions, and a directory of Israeli exporters and manufacturers.
www.globes.co.il - “Israel’s Business Arena” – provides a comprehensive review of the Israeli business market via daily news updates; an extensive archive; analysis and features by its staff; newsletters; a market prices service; a technology guide; and a real estate supplement.
www.haaretz.co.il – A leading Israeli independent daily newspaper offering news coverage on a broad range of topics. Ha’aretz has an extensive business section that features the latest information on currency rates, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, Israeli stocks on Wall Street and much more. You will see the English version option on the homepage.
www.iaei.org.il – The Israel Association of Electronics and Software Industries provides comprehensive information on Israel electronics industry. The association represents almost the entire industry sector.
www.iash.org.il - The Israeli Association of Software Houses promotes Israel’s software industry and encourages collaboration with counterpart organizations from around the world.
www.ilsi.org.il – The Israel Life Science Industry is a non-profit registered corporation, representing the mutual goals of the Israeli life science community. Its mission is to research, develop and advocate policies and actions that promote medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and Ag-Biotech in the State of Israel and increase awareness of its strength and innovation worldwide. 637 life science companies and 228 industry related companies are registered in their database (updated daily).
www.incubators.org.il – Technological incubators are support corporations that give fledgling entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop their innovative technological ideas and set up new businesses in order to commercialize them. The incubator program is applied in all parts of the country, under the guidance and with the support of the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
www.investinisrael.gov.il – Invest in Israel is the investment promotion center of Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, Foreign Trade Administration. The center serves as the marketing agency for foreign investments in Israel and as a resource for foreign based companies and individuals who are interested in investigating direct investment and joint venture opportunities in Israel. Invest in Israel works closely with potential and current investors before, during and after investment, and serves as a resource for investment related information about Israel.
www.israel-trade-fairs.com - This web site provides information on events taking place at the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center located in Tel Aviv, one of the most famous exhibition centers in the world.
www.ivc-online.com – Israel Venture Capital Research Center allows subscribed users to search its database by the following categories: Israeli companies, venture capital funds, management companies, investment companies, incubators, and people. Users can learn about a company’s financing history and its investors. This site also provides, at no charge, up-to-date business news in Israel, including venture capital funding and acquisitions.
www.matimop.org.il - Matimop, the Israeli Industry Center for R&D, is a public, non-profit organization that promotes advanced technologies developed in Israel and the creation of strategic partnerships. The organization administers a database that encompasses hundreds of new projects.
www.moital.gov.il - As one of the leading economic ministries of the Israeli government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade works to stimulate economic growth in Israel. The Ministry is focused on exploiting and improving the potential of Israel's human capital and on developing, improving and updating existing legislation to meet global competition and the country's new economic reality. The web site has many useful links.
www.tase.co.il – The web site of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
www.themarker.com – Part of the Ha’aretz Group, TheMarker.com bills itself as “The Israeli Source for Business and Technology.”
Israel’s Other Economic Representatives in the United States
Email: yair_shiran@emus.gov.il