CTech’s Monday Roundup of Israeli Tech News

Israel’s Defense Ministry selects developer for $2-billion communications base. The announcement marks a milestone for the military’s massive push to move its offices from the greater Tel Aviv area to the Negev desert region. Read more

 

Startup with Israeli intelligence bona fides offers defense against fake news. After years of experience mounting digital influence campaign in business and politics, a handful of Israeli entrepreneurs switched sides and founded Cyabra, a startup promising to help politicians and brands defend themselves from digital attacks involving fake news and disinformation. The Tel Aviv-based company uses a deep learning and big data-based algorithm to identify patterns typical of fake profiles, avatars, or bots. Read more

 

Cybersecurity company Claroty raises $60 million. Claroty, the second startup to emerge from Israeli cybersecurity foundry Team8, develops cybersecurity platform for industrial networks. Read more

 

Vegan startup launches “cruelty-free” digital coin. Israeli startup VeganNation Services has launched a cryptocurrency, Vegan Coin (VCN), which the company calls the world’s first “100% cruelty-free digital coin.” The company describes itself as a global decentralized vegan “nation” based on blockchain technology. A national vegan flag is in the works, according to a company spokesman. Read more

 

Online retailer Asos is shopping for Israeli technology. The U.K.-based retailer has partnered with Re:Tech, an Israeli innovation hub, to scout local e-commerce, adtech, and fintech technologies. Read more

 

As Israel faces drought, Netanyahu offers Iran help tackling water crisis. The Israeli prime minister is currently running an active diplomatic campaign against Iran’s leadership, most specifically against the nuclear program deal, from which the U.S. announced it is withdrawing in May. Read more

Israel’s state attorney puts speed cameras on probation. The decision comes after it was revealed that at least 200 speed cameras were never tested for accuracy after installation. Read more

 

Israel launches healthcare startup pilot program. The Israel Innovation Authority will invest $28 million over the next three years in pilots for digital healthcare startups. This is the first step of a $264 million national digital health plan, announced in March. Read more

 

IBM appoints Aya Soffer as global director of AI. In her new position, Ms. Soffer will run IBM’s global artificial intelligence research and development operations in 12 centers worldwide. Read more

 

IAI subsidiary Elta appoints new CEO. Yoav Turgeman was chosen to head Elta, the electronic warfare subsidiary of government-owned defense contractor Israel Aerospace Industries. Read more