Israeli entrepreneurs have set up a new platform using Edvantage – a combination of venture capital fund and accelerator – to encourage start-ups in informal education, and researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University have developed a new, cheaper bird tracking device.
By: Michael Ordman
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
EdTech startups get a boost
Israeli entrepreneurs Yair Brosh and Shachar Vilner have set up a new platform using Edvantage – a combination of venture capital fund and accelerator – to encourage start-ups in informal education. Edvantage, from Israel’s Time to Know, helps build technological solutions and assists start-ups to enter international markets. http://www.timesofisrael.com/edtech-start-ups-get-a-boost-from-new-funding/
http://www.timetoknow.com/?pagerd_jgqhr5
Everything you want to know about birds
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University have developed a new bird tracking device called Atlas. The tag transmits radio signals that tells more about wildlife than ever before – and for a fraction of the cost of previous devices.
http://www.dw.com/en/israeli-researchers-develop-atlas-bird-tracking-device/a-18977186
Smart Video On Demand
Israeli streaming company Vonetize’s may be the first 2016 launch on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The company’s service is called Smart VOD (Video On Demand) and is a similar service to Netflix.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-vonetize-plans-raising-nis-30-34m-on-tase-1001098407
Israel is a nano-superpower
NanoIsrael 2016 in Tel Aviv on Feb 22 will show the world just how far Israel’s nanotechnology industry has come. There are 1,995 nanotechnology PhD graduates plus 2,908 with masters’ degrees from Israeli universities. Israeli nanotechnology researchers have filed 1,590 patents.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/nano-superpower-israel-to-show-off-its-tech-in-tel-aviv/
Producing oxygen in outer space
13-year-old Israeli Roni Oron won a “Satellite Is Born” award from the Israel Space Agency for her design of a system to produce oxygen in outer space. Her “BioSat” uses algae, carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, mirrors and photosynthesis. She will develop the satellite at a NASA summer camp in Florida.
Making water out of thin-air
The technology of Israel’s Water-Gen (featured here previously) can extract clean water from the ambient air humidity. The technology is now used by the Israeli, British, French and US armies. GENNY, the civilian version, is now used in India, Africa, Central America and China.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4755550,00.html
The most popular VPN in the world
Israel’s Hola is the most popular free VPN service in the world, used by tens of millions of people daily, mainly to watch TV shows in countries outside the country of origin. Hola is so busy, it is now offering $7,000 to anyone who refers new hi-tech employees to the company.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/know-a-good-developer-hola-will-pay-you-7000/
Exposing a security flaw at Ebay
Israeli cyber-security firm Check Point has discovered a serious flaw in online e-commerce giant eBay’s security, allowing hackers and cyber criminals to use malicious code to target users and steal their online information.
http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2016/2/3/israeli-firm-uncovers-ebay-security-flaw#.VrIKArIrLIU=
Power from the open road
Israel’s Electroad has developed Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) that will charge electric buses from the road they are being driven on. No need for a battery or charging spots. ElectRoad has won a grant from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program.
http://www.greenprophet.com/2016/01/electroad-electric-bus/
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