Author: OurCrowd

8 Israeli Tech Trends, 8 Crazy Nights 2014: New Charging Tech (8/8)

8 Israeli Tech Trends, 8 Crazy Nights 2014: New Charging Tech (8/8)

Dec 24, 2014 | , ,

As Israel observes Hanukkah – a celebration of the light among the darkness – it’s time to highlight the tech trends creating sparks within the Startup Nation. Note, these trends are based on our deal flow – what our team sees on the ground. Trend 8/8: New Charging Tech How a trend is born:  Is there anything worse than seeing your phone’s battery bar turn red? And, whenever it happens, it’s certainly when you most need more power. Although many new smartphones are already equipped with high capacity batteries, they take considerably longer to charge. Batteries have long been outstripped by the tech they power in terms of quality and innovation, but that does not mean there’s nothing new on the horizon. Over the past few years battery and charging methods are gradually improving and exciting new developments are hitting the market. Who’s who:  When it comes to the emerging wireless charging landscape for mobile devices, the Startup Nation is maintaining its reputation as a leading force. Here are some Israeli companies working hard to switch off that low battery warning in the future: Wi-Charge: Wi-Charge is working to create a safe...

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OurCrowd named top crowdfunding platform by KPMG

OurCrowd named top crowdfunding platform by KPMG

Dec 24, 2014 | , , ,

This month, OurCrowd was named the top equity crowdfunding platform in KPMG’s The 50 Best Fintech Innovators Report, reaching the number #22 spot overall. The 50 Best Fintech Innovators report is a collaborative effort between AWI, KPMG Australia and the Financial Services Council (FSC), and provides an analysis of the rapidly evolving fintech industry worldwide, identifying the global ‘50 Best’ performers. The report states that the selected companies are those using technology to the best advantage and driving disruption within the financial services industry. This report identified four other equity crowdfunding platforms in the top 50, including: CircleUp (#23), AngelList (#35), Crowdcube (#46) and Seedrs (#47). In the same list of innovators, KPMG also named a company that is currently raising funds on OurCrowd: Borro, an online lending platform who at #8, came in just behind the two recent IPO success stories of Lending Club (#6), and OnDeck (#7). Borro is a UK-US based, online asset-backed lending platform with an investor roster that includes the same early investors in leading fintech innovators such as Lending Club, Zopa, Wealthfront, and Funding Circle. Access the full list: The 50 Best Fintech Innovators...

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8 Israeli Tech Trends, 8 Crazy Nights 2014: Autonomous Driving (7/8)

8 Israeli Tech Trends, 8 Crazy Nights 2014: Autonomous Driving (7/8)

Dec 23, 2014 | , ,

As Israel observes Hanukkah – a celebration of the light among the darkness – it’s time to highlight the tech trends creating sparks within the Startup Nation. Note, these trends are based on our deal flow – what our team sees on the ground. Trend 7/8: Autonomous Driving How a trend is born:  Cars are the single most complex consumer product in the world. While the combustion engine and large-scale, production-line manufacturing of the late 19th century helped make cars more ubiquitous, at large we have yet to see how the true power of the Digital Revolution, new fuel and propulsion technologies, innovative business models, new material technologies and advances in safety features will drive innovation forward and help bring about the car of the future. What’s causing the traffic jams of innovation? For one, road traffic accidents are the largest cause of injury-related deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organization. This is reason enough that advancement in the automotive industry can be excruciatingly slow. Think of it this way – the more electronics there are in a car, the easier the car...

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Google’s best Israeli apps, Forbes’ fav Israeli female founders and more [OurCrowd Newsletter]

Google’s best Israeli apps, Forbes’ fav Israeli female founders and more [OurCrowd Newsletter]

Dec 22, 2014 |

This week, we uncover Google’s best Android apps – made by Israels. Plus, Forbes’ favorite Israeli female founders, a year later. An Israeli-Singaporean company raises $15 million. And more… Start getting this weekly newsletter via email: Subscribe now. Trax raises $15M for in-store shelf monitoring, analysis and technology Israeli-Singaporean company Trax Image Recognition, which provides in-store shelf monitoring, analysis and technology powered by image recognition, has raised $15 million to expand its global operations with a focus on developing its market share in the US and Europe. In addition, the new funds will allow the company to launch new products and services enabling it to meet the growing requirements of its global manufacturing and retail customers. Learn more. OurCrowd in the News OurCrowd’s Danna Mann discusses investment opportunities in Jerusalem in Times of Israel OurCrowd’s portfolio company BillGuard featured in Forbes OurCrowd CEO Jon Medved discusses the growing Israeli tech sector with Fox News’ KT McFarland OurCrowd’s unique equity crowdfunding platform was featured in Ha’aretz OurCrowd’s portfolio company ReWalk featured in Montgomery News OurCrowd’s portfolio company enVerid featured in HPAC Engineering...

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8 Israeli Tech Trends, 8 Crazy Nights 2014: Wearable Tech (6/8)

8 Israeli Tech Trends, 8 Crazy Nights 2014: Wearable Tech (6/8)

Dec 22, 2014 | , ,

As Israel observes Hanukkah – a celebration of the light among the darkness – it’s time to highlight the tech trends creating sparks within the Startup Nation. Note, these trends are based on our deal flow – what our team sees on the ground. Trend 6/8: Wearable Tech How a trend is born:  You are what you eat, goes the saying. A more modern adaptation would be: you are what you wear. From “smart” watches that sync to your phone, to contact lenses that measure diabetics glucose levels, wearable technology is rapidly spreading to all facets of technology. The wearable technology industry goes back to a device as simple as the once-trendy calculator watch of the ’80s. Today, however, the next wave of wearable technology will far outpace a simple Casio watch. Recent success and traction experienced in the wearable technology industry, such as Facebook’s acquisition of virtual reality headset maker Oculus VR and the 2012 launch of Google Glass, has entrepreneurs and investors alike excited for what should be “the next big thing.” Who’s who:  Israel has also played its part in the recent global innovation occurring in the wearable device market. Here...

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