Author: OurCrowd

OurCrowd’s portfolio company ReWalk featured in Globes

Jan 5, 2016 | ,

OurCrowd portfolio company ReWalk was featured in Globes, the leading Israeli financial daily. ReWalk is the developer of the FDA-approved ReWalk exoskeleton device, providing paraplegics with an independent, natural walking experience that provides them numerous social, psychological, and physical benefits. The graph of Israeli company ReWalk Robotics Ltd.’s (Nasdaq:RWLK) share price is a good place for beginning the company’s story. ReWalk, which has developed an external skeleton enabling people with spinal cord injuries to walk, held its Nasdaq IPO in September 2014, two months after obtaining US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its product. The offering share price was $12. Over the ensuing 15 months, the share price declined slowly and consistently to a low point of less than $6. Two weeks ago came a total turnaround: the share price skyrocketed 90% in a single day, and has now reached almost $14.50, almost 140% above its low point. ReWalk raised $1,320,000 from OurCrowd investors in June 2013. Read more on...

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Prevent Diabetes: A new way for 86M prediabetics to go off course

Prevent Diabetes: A new way for 86M prediabetics to go off course

Jan 5, 2016 |

While diabetes is undoubtedly a big problem, with 29.1 million diabetics in the US, approximately 60 million in Europe, and 371 million across the globe, there are considerably more people who qualify as “pre-diabetic”. In fact, 86 million Americans are estimated to be pre-diabetic. The statistics are overwhelming: Half of all healthy 45-year-olds will develop prediabetes, a condition of elevated blood sugar that can lead to full-blown insulin-dependent Type II diabetes, according to a recent comprehensive study in The Netherlands. At the same time, there is also room for hope: Making lifestyle changes while prediabetic can reduce one’s risk of developing actual diabetes by 58%, according to a 2002 U.S. government-funded study. But that is much easier said than done. In order to significantly reduce one’s risk, individuals need to exercise for two and a half hours each week, and eat less fat and fewer calories, ideally reducing their body weight by 7%, according to the 2002 study. And those participating in the study that achieved this outcome had a team of counselors offering instruction and motivation, as well...

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WEBINAR: How experienced investors evaluate – and invest through – online equity platforms

WEBINAR: How experienced investors evaluate – and invest through – online equity platforms

Jan 5, 2016 | , ,

In an industry barely a few years old and growing quickly, angel investors are faced with multiple choices when deciding if they should try an accredited investor equity platform for startup investments. It can be exciting and daunting as the platforms themselves differ greatly in their business model, deal types, and possible outcomes. Join Rany Raviv, VP Business Development and M&A Iberdrola Renewables, Sarit Rozycki, President at SLR Associates in NYC, Shai Magzimof, CEO & Co-Founder of NextPeer, and Jonathan Medved, CEO of OurCrowd, for a 60-minute webinar with Angel Capital Association exploring the various online equity platforms for startup investing. Investor Experiences with Online Equity Platforms Wednesday, January 13th, 2016 (7:00 PM Israel / 12:00 PM NYC / 3:00 PM San Francisco) In this webinar, you will: Learn from two experienced angel investors who’ve each invested through several different platforms. Learn how they evaluate platforms, including differences in experience, term sheets and, of course, deal flow. >> Reserve your seat on the webinar Moderator: Bill Carleton, Attorney with McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren. Bill is a key member of the ACA public policy...

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OurCrowd’s portfolio company Consumer Physics featured in Mashable

Jan 4, 2016 | ,

OurCrowd’s portfolio company Consumer Physics was featured in Mashable, a popular website covering  the top social media news. Consumer Physics has developed the world’s first affordable molecular sensor – the SCiO – that fits in the palm of your hand. French startup DietSensor launched at the 2016 International Consumer Electronics Show a pocket-sized, Bluetooth-connected molecular sensor called SCiO. It uses near-infrared spectroscopy (the analysis of how molecules interact with light) to determine the chemical makeup of food and drink. SCiO can analyze substances based on how their molecules interact with light. While this may sound like a dream tool for dieters, the SCiO is primarily aimed at helping those with conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases keep a close eye on their diet. Seeded by OurCrowd and top tier Silicon Valley VC Khosla Ventures, Consumer Physics raised $3,300,000 from OurCrowd investors in its 2nd round of funding in May 2014. Read more on...

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Internet of Things: The next big thing in Israeli tech [Infographic]

Internet of Things: The next big thing in Israeli tech [Infographic]

Jan 4, 2016 | , ,

Bigger? Better? Try ‘smarter’! If you haven’t heard the term by now, 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. The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) industry has been one of the biggest trends in tech in recent years and especially during 2015, where new innovation is disrupting traditional industries across the board.” – Forbes Over the past recent months, there has been a growing amount of impressive IoT activity coming out of Israel. To help visualize this new wave of Israeli innovation, a Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv early-stage venture capital firm — solely backed by Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt — Innovation Endeavors, mapped the 2015 Israeli Internet of Things Landscape. SEE ALSO: Beyond tech: Why investors are bullish about internet startups According to their study, there are 330 Israeli IoT companies across five verticals and 23 sub-verticals, from the seed stages all the way to revenue growth. Out of the featured IoT startups operating in Israel, 11 are...

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