Startup Investing

Reality check! Mapping the Israeli VR and AR startup landscape [Infographic]

Reality check! Mapping the Israeli VR and AR startup landscape [Infographic]

May 3, 2016 | , ,

‘Computer-simulated reality’, ‘immersive media’, whatever you call virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), the artificial multisensory experience its technology offers is only getting better with each passing year. Goldman Sachs estimates that the size of the overall VR, AR market will be anywhere between $23 billion to $183 billion by 2025. (source) For more than a decade, we’ve seen advances in VR and AR tech applied to military training, urban design, video games, and other home entertainment. As VCs and analysts try to asses the maturity of the VR and AR markets in terms of technology, cost, and use, optimists are betting on 2016 being a defining year for the industry. And how is Israel faring in the midst of all this VR-AR innovation? Since 2014, VC investments in VR and AR have amounted to $2.56 billion globally (including the $1.4 billion investment in Magic Leap and excluding the more than $2 billion Oculus deal). Over the same period, we estimate that somewhere around $120-$170 million was invested in Israel in the area of VR and AR. (source) Principals at Carmel Ventures and...

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Smart Objects, Smart Investing: Check out the Internet of Things

Smart Objects, Smart Investing: Check out the Internet of Things

Apr 19, 2016 | ,

Does technology seem to be getting bigger and better by the day? To us it looks our ordinary ‘things’ are actually getting smarter. If you haven’t heard the term by now, the Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the growing trend of machine-to-machine connectivity, where Internet-enabled “dumb” devices have a network connection to collect and utilize actionable intelligence about everyday life. Over the past year, there has been a growing amount of impressive IoT activity in the startup world, and OurCrowd’s IoT portfolio represents a variety of companies supporting the greater IoT ecosystem. To capture the scope of this emerging world of connected devices, here’s an infographic to provide some insights into the scope of Internet of Things and location-based technologies. Does this infographic seem ‘smart’ to you? Share if you find it helpful! To find out more about IoT technology and other investment opportunities on our platform, contact our Investor Relations team or visit our...

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Grab your seat at the table: What you need to know about preemptive rights

Grab your seat at the table: What you need to know about preemptive rights

Apr 7, 2016 | , ,

Have you been following the growing trend in continuity funds? Get another perspective from our 30-minute webinar about how professional investors use preemptive rights to get further involved in winning companies. Check out the webinar and slides below to: Get an insider’s view of how to leverage preemptive rights in startup investing Understand the basics of continuity funds and review case studies Learn how to get involved at a time when companies are staying private longer   View the FULL program View the presentation Everything You Need to Know about Preemptive Rights from OurCrowd ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: To stay updated on future events and the best news from the Startup Nation, sign up for our newsletter, email us, and follow us on social media. [xyz-ihs...

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Preemptive rights: What you need to know, in 30 minutes

Preemptive rights: What you need to know, in 30 minutes

Mar 30, 2016 | , ,

Have you been following the growing trend in continuity funds? Join us for a 30-minute live session with OurCrowd Investment Partner David Stark to learn how professional investors use preemptive rights to get further involved in winning companies. Grab your seat at the table: What you need to know about preemptive rights Wednesday, April 6, 2016 (7pm IL | 12pm EST | 9am PST) In this webinar, you will: Get an insider’s view of how to leverage preemptive rights in startup investing Understand the basics of continuity funds and review case studies Learn how to get involved at a time when companies are staying private longer >> Register for the webinar here Looking forward to your participation on the...

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Gone Global: Why did Israel emerge as a world-leading startup ecosystem?

Gone Global: Why did Israel emerge as a world-leading startup ecosystem?

Mar 29, 2016 | ,

Much has been written about Israel’s emergence as one of the leading startup ecosystems in the world, but less effort has been made to truly understand why the Startup Nation has achieved this global recognition and level of success. Some of our favorite explanations for what makes Israel a thriving launch pad of technological innovation include: a pervasive pioneering ethos; in a way, Israel itself is a ‘startup’ among hi tech countries large immigrant populations with international networks and experience an informal culture and social structure hutzpah – you know it when you see it a tolerance for high-risk startup founders are cultural icons and role models small geographic area allows for leveraging tight-knit, interconnected networks the military provides training in leadership, teamwork and exposure to cutting-edge technologies Each of these reasons are worth exploring in their own right, but the reason for Israel’s success we want to focus on here is the idea that Israeli startups go global from day one. With a population of only 8 million people spanning 8,000 sq. miles, the country presents a very small domestic business opportunity for most...

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