Author: OurCrowd

Making every drop count: How AgTech investing yields more than crops

Making every drop count: How AgTech investing yields more than crops

Dec 29, 2015 | ,

Food scarcity is a real fear. We must produce more food in the next four decades than we have in all of the last 8,000 years of agriculture combined, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Not only that, but this must be done under increasing strains of dwindling land and water resources in addition to challenges posed by climate change and energy needs. This is a great test for mankind, but also a great opportunity for the growing agricultural technology sector. In fact, the twin unprecedented challenges of increasing food supply and reducing resources used for agriculture are the main forces driving innovation and investment in the sector. Opportunities for investment and growth The global agricultural sector itself produces about $120 billion in annual revenues, and farm assets total about $2 trillion, according to recent data, making it one of the biggest components of the world economy. It was not until recently that innovation in this field began attracting the attention of venture capitalists and tech industry investors. A turning point came in 2013 when agrochemical giant Monsanto acquired Climate...

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OurCrowd’s portfolio company Freightos featured in VentureBeat

Dec 26, 2015 | ,

Zvi Schreiber, the CEO of OurCrowd’s portfolio company Freightos, wrote a feature on the state and future of the freight industry in VentureBeat, a leading technology website. Freightos offers a Software as a Service cloud solution for automating pricing and sales in the trillion dollar freight (cargo) industry. Smart money is on a wave of modernization in the freight industry. The enabling technologies are in place, startups are well-funded, and incumbents are also moving online. The demand is there too, with shippers expecting better, more automated services. It’s true that it takes a long time for industries to change, but 2016 is the year where freight embarks wholeheartedly on that road. Freightos raised $550,000 from OurCrowd investors in November 2012 and $110,000 in a follow-on funding round in 2013. Read more on VentureBeat...

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OurCrowd’s portfolio companies enVerid & Surgical Theater featured in Business Insider

Dec 25, 2015 | ,

OurCrowd’s portfolio companies, enVerid and Surgical Theater, were featured on business and technology news website Business Insider‘s list of 53 startups that will be huge in 2016, according to venture capitalists. Here’s what they had to say about OurCrowd’s portfolio companies: Company name: enVerid VC: OurCrowd’s Jonathan Medved Relationship: VC is an investor. Funding: $1.34 million What it does: It has brought the efficient, affordable air conditioning technology created for submarines and the space station to commercial buildings. Reason: “Cleans the air, saves huge energy, makes big bucks…the ‘poster boy’ company for the post-Paris climate change conference,” says Medved. enVerid raised $1,568,500 from OurCrowd investors in October 2013 and $1,838,916 in a follow-on funding round in 2014. Company name: Surgical Theater VC: OurCrowd’s Jonathan Medved Relationship: VC is an investor. Funding: $9.53 million What it does: Surgical Theater is a startup that makes a Surgery Rehearsal Platform (SRP) where neurosurgeons can plan operations, do trial-runs to determine outcomes and practice techniques. Reason: “The operating room goes full virtual reality starting with the brain….for real!” says Medved. Surgical Theater raised $580,000 from OurCrowd investors in April 2013 and $1,080,000  in its 2nd round of funding...

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The planet’s most startup-friendly accelerator is coming to Jerusalem

The planet’s most startup-friendly accelerator is coming to Jerusalem

Dec 24, 2015 | ,

Calling all players in the Israeli startup ecosystem! As part of the closing event at OurCrowd’s Global Investor Summit, MassChallenge Israel invites you to celebrate the launch of its Jerusalem branch. The event will include a special showcase of some of Israel’s most promising startups, and a presentation from MassChallenge and other special guests on the road ahead for the world’s largest startup accelerator as it builds its permanent presence in Jerusalem. Who: MassChallenge CEO John Harthorne, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, and MassChallenge Israel Managing Director Israel Ganot Where: The Hanger at The First Station, Jerusalem When: January 25th, @7PM Register here for the MassChallenge 2016 Launch Event We hope to see you...

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