Tag: innovation

The coronavirus challenge: Here’s why OurCrowd is launching a $100 million Pandemic Innovation Fund

The coronavirus challenge: Here’s why OurCrowd is launching a $100 million Pandemic Innovation Fund

Jun 2, 2020 |

The new fund will target solutions for COVID-19 and future pandemics, remote working/learning, and social distancing Today, OurCrowd announces the launch of its Pandemic Innovation Fund. We plan to raise $100 million for investment in urgent technological solutions for the medical, business, educational and social needs triggered by global pandemics and other health emergencies. The rapid spread of the coronavirus has validated our vision of a connected digital world poised to solve any crisis through global communication and rapid response. This worldwide crisis presents the greatest challenge yet faced by digital technology. The pandemic has accelerated the pace of technology adoption across many domains. “We saw two years of digital transformation in two months,” said Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella. This new struggle against an invisible threat will result in the creation of new areas of business activity. Some that exist already will expand dramatically: digital medicine; artificial intelligence-powered diagnostics; remote social and business networking; online freight and logistics; one-click cybersecurity and payment systems for small businesses; 3-D printing for vital medical equipment; training for distance learning – just to...

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In the News: Hand sanitizer for the nose? Trials for new COVID-19 treatment

In the News: Hand sanitizer for the nose? Trials for new COVID-19 treatment

Jun 1, 2020 |

How are breakthrough technologies overcoming coronavirus challenges – from prevention and cure to social distancing and food supply? What will the tech investing world look like in the future? Join us as we bring together the global tech ecosystem – online, and address these topics on June 22nd at the OurCrowd Pandemic Innovation Conference, which will be streamed twice to accommodate global participants. Register now. You’ve used hand sanitizer – can a ‘hand sanitizer for the nose’ be next? Watch this CTV news feature about the potential COVID-19 “game-changer” by SaNOtize, and the Phase II trials of the company’s nitric oxide nasal spray to determine if it can kill the virus in the upper airway before it can spread to the lungs. CTV News reports: “If the trial shows SaNOtize reduces the symptoms and duration of COVID-19 and it’s approved by Health Canada, the company hopes it can be sold at pharmacies until a vaccine is found.” We’re re-investing in SaNOtize now – learn more. Top Tech News Trying to sell your car? Read 3 tips and 1 way to...

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In the News: OurCrowd companies seek 100’s of new employees

In the News: OurCrowd companies seek 100’s of new employees

May 25, 2020 |

Despite Israel’s unprecedented unemployment situation, high-tech companies are still recruiting. As Israel carefully re-opens for business, startups have a huge role to play in getting our nation back to work. OurTalent, OurCrowd’s jobs portal, currently lists hundreds of vacant positions from within its portfolio companies, with fresh opportunities added each week. Check out OurTalent. It’s hard to believe that just 3.5 months ago we hosted the 2020 OurCrowd Global Investor Summit in Jerusalem; now, we’re checking in with Jason Greenblatt, former Assistant to the President of the United States, and Special Representative for International Negotiations, and newly-joined OurCrowd partner. In February, he spoke about building bridges between Israel and the Arab Middle East through startup technology; last week Jason sat down with one of Israel’s leading tech bloggers, Hillel Fuld, to discuss how he is getting involved in the VC landscape to achieve the same ends. Watch now. Join us this Wednesday, May 27th for our next webinar – The Post-COVID Corporation: How Pandemic-Driven Innovation Will Change Everything at 9:30AM Los Angeles, 12:30PM New York, 7:30PM Tel Aviv. OurCrowd partners and analysts...

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In the News: Expect a ‘renaissance’ in medical innovation

In the News: Expect a ‘renaissance’ in medical innovation

May 18, 2020 |

Trends that began way before the virus hit − whether e-commerce, working from home, distance learning or robotic process automation − have now accelerated to light-speed. The impact of this crisis on the investment world, especially venture capital, is really interesting…A couple of things are becoming apparent: an absolute and renewed focus on healthcare and medical everything, obviously with anything related to the current crisis getting huge attention and support. This sector has been under-invested in until now, particularly in Israel. Read up on my prediction for a ‘renaissance’ in medical innovation. Last week’s webinar on Cybersecurity & Insecurity: The New World of COVID-19 shared expert views from leading cybersecurity companies. Watch the recording and register for Part II: IoT Cybersecurity and Financial Crime – The New World of COVID-19, this Thursday, May 21st at 9:00AM Los Angeles, 12:00PM New York, 7:00PM Tel Aviv.  Top Tech News data.world CEO Brett Hurt credits his team’s agility at navigating the new realities in this pandemic world as key to the company’s ability to exceed expectations. Read how Brett Hurt is leading data.world...

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In the News: Coronavirus, industry reinvention & venture capital

In the News: Coronavirus, industry reinvention & venture capital

May 11, 2020 |

The coronavirus crisis has created heightened awareness of healthcare challenges, which will cause more money to flow to what we have seen as traditionally underfunded areas – medtech, digital health, and research. Historically, venture investing right after major market downturns – such as after the Internet bubble burst in 2000-2002, and after the financial crisis of 2007-2009 — has proved lucrative because you’re buying at a discount. That’s a very good entry point for new venture investors. However this time, there is also a fundamental re-set and expansion of social and economic trends causing major disruption that will lead to further opportunities for those companies leading the change. Read my and others’ thoughts on “Recession, Reinvention and Opportunity” in this Israel21c piece. As organizations increasingly move their business processes online, threats to data and privacy have exploded. Join us for a webinar Thursday, May 14 at 9:00AM PDT, 12:00PM EDT, 7:00PM IDT on Cybersecurity & Insecurity: The New World of COVID-19 where experts from some of the leading cybersecurity companies around the world will explore the challenges for organizations protecting...

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