D. Todd Dollinger Assesses 2010 as "Execution-Focused"
Early last year, I wrote to Trendlines' investors that 2009 was to be an "investment-focused" year for Trendlines. While companies' values were depressed worldwide, our companies did well.  With a single exception, every one of our portfolio companies that raised funds in 2009  did so at a value higher than in their prior rounds - this has continued to be the case this year. As 2009 was "investment-focused," 2010 is very much "execution-focused," with major emphasis on getting our portfolio companies before investors and, in select cases, in front of potential acquirers. Because life sciences companies represent the largest part of Trendlines' value, market changes, the investment atmosphere, and regulatory matters are all issues to which we pay great attention. For more on these matters, see the Mergermarket Group's "Life Sciences & Healthcare Sector Forecast," sponsored by our friends at Epstein, Becker, Green and Rodman and Renshaw. It's interesting reading; among the conclusions: "... a desire for new products and technologies will outweigh health care reform as the primary driver of M&A activity among biotechnology and pharmaceuticals companies and among medical device manufacturers and suppliers..."The Trendlines Group Closes $7.5 Million Raise

The Trendlines Group Closes $8 Million Raise
Trendlines current shareholders and new investors have invested an additional $8 million in the Group for a total of $14 million over three years. Funds will be used to expand the Group's core activities of creating and developing business that improve the human condition as well as in the development of special investment opportunities.

Steve Rhodes, Trendlines CEO and Chairman, Accepts 2009 Incubator of the Year Award

The Misgav Venture Accelerator was named "Best Incubator" at the Office of the Chief Scientist's annual incubator awards program.  The program recognizes Israel's outstanding incubator and best companies.  In addition to Misgav being named Best Incubator, Misgav company Virtual Ports was a finalist in the Best Company competition.

After accepting the award, Misgav CEO Dr. Eran Feldhay noted, "This award is a testament to our commitment to and our successes in creating and developing business to improve the human condition.  We are proud to have created an environment where entrepreneurs can learn, share, develop, and grow their businesses."

"We are absolutely thrilled to win this prestigious award. It is a credit to everyone who works at the Misgav Venture Accelerator and to our companies," said Steve Rhodes, co-CEO of The Trendlines Group, which owns the Misgav Venture Accelerator.

Udi Gordin, CEO of Best Company finalist Virtual Ports, commented: "It is always the highest compliment when an industry recognizes one of its own. We greatly appreciate all the help and support we receive from all the professionals at Trendlines and Misgav. It has made a big difference for us."

Read the Globes business newspaper coverage (in Hebrew)

The Trendletter brings you key findings from the Deloitte Brightman Almagor Zohar Israel VC Indicator Survey. The survey's function is to identify trends within the Israeli VC arena and indicate expectations of the VC community for the next six to twelve months.

 

All About Israeli Innovation
Watch the You Tube clip about Israeli innovation for a reminder about how much has been accomplished in 60+ years and how much potential is still waiting to be exploited. Thanks to Lesley Portnoy of New York-based law firm Baker Hostetler for this.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which groups the world's most developed economies, accepted Israel for membership.  "This is an important step towards Israel's integration into the global economy," said Governor of the Bank of Israel, Stanley Fischer. Read more.