Israeli bill-paying startup, Check, acquired by Intuit for $360M
Intuit, the American developer of the popular tax-preparation software TurboTax, is buying Israeli bill-payment service provider Check for $360 million. Check’s smartphone app is used by more than 10 million people to track and pay their bills. The app monitors bank accounts and credit cards, and sends reminders when bills are due or a bank account balance is low. To read more, click here.
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OurCrowd portfolio company Consumer Physics featured in Time Magazine
Beyond Verbal helps your computer recognize sarcasm
Israeli startup, Beyond Verbal has created a series of algorithms that can decode human vocal intonations into underlying emotions, in real time – allowing voice-enabled devices or apps to understand the emotions behind the words people say. The company has made this technology available as a service via an app called Moodies. To read more about Beyond Verbal and emotion-recognition technology, click here.
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Meet Debby Elnatan, the Israeli mom who’s a special-needs inventor
Debby Elnatan invested the Firefly Upsee, a novel co-walking harness based on a contraption she created for her son Rotem, who has cerebral palsy. Upsee gained a lot of global media attention following its launch in April. Throughout the years, Elnatan has invented all sorts of innovative gadgets for children with CP, each of which were designed to free a parent’s hands and give therapeutic benefits while allowing the child to participate in family activities. She is adamant that her inventions be sold online to remain affordable. To read more, click here.
AOL invests time, and $100K, in Israeli startups
American Internet giant AOL plans to recruit Israeli startups and help them grow through a program called Nautilus, with the intent of “harvesting” technology for mutual benefit. The six-month program is set to provide startups not just with advice and assistance, but with $100,000 in investment as well. To read more about AOL’s new Nautilus program, click here.
The most influential Israelis in tech worldwide
The startup scene is flourishing in Israel. After finishing up army service, many young Israelis go on to make waves in the tech world, often setting roots in Tel Aviv. And these initiatives are highly valuable. Many American tech giants, including Google and Apple, have opened offices in Israel to tap into the wealth of tech talent. To read more, click here.
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