 |
|
May 16, 2012 |
From the Leadership
 |
Tom Glaser
President |  |
Lorin Coles
Chairman | |
Educational programming is a key component of our strategy to increase economic development in Israel and the Southeast. While this can be accomplished partly through media coverage of our activities and our own monthly newsletter, it is our many educational events that directly reach our target audiences with the "Doing Business with Israel" message.
Our educational events are always supported by the American Israel Educational Institute, the not-for-profit charitable foundation created to educate the public in our region about Israel, its economy, and ways to engage with Israelis in beneficial business and research relationships. The programs are often industry-specific, such as last month's SmartGrid event in Atlanta through the I3 (Israel Innovation Impact)) series format, and we have extended them throughout the region.
Since January, we have organized educational events in Charleston, Greenville, Charlotte, Memphis (3 so far in a quarterly series), and Huntsville. Upcoming is a seminar in Columbia as well as our annual Professional Seminar in Atlanta on August 23rd. And don't forget our premier event, the Eagle Star Awards Gala on June 12th! These events require a lot of work and partnership with local organizations, but they are certainly worth the effort. |
|
|
|
Developments and Transactions |
|
Finalists Announced for Eagle Star Israeli Company of the Year and Deal of the Year
Winners to be Named at June 12th Gala
The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Region (AICC), announced today the finalists for the 11th annual Eagle Star Awards Gala on June 12. The event, which also commemorates AICC's 20th anniversary, will be held at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North hotel from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. (7 Concourse Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30328). Three companies, Alpha Omega, Amiad, and Shalag, will compete for the Israeli Company of the Year award. Three transactions, Arris / BigBand Networks, IDEA Biomedical / MUSC, and Proctor & Gamble / Teva, will compete for Deal of the Year.
The Eagle Star Gala is AICC's community flagship event, honoring the people and companies who have contributed most to the Southeast-Israel business relationship. In addition to awarding the Israeli Company of the Year and Deal of the Year, the Chamber will also recognize Robert Deutsch with the Chamber Founders Award and the Israel Economic Mission to the US South with the Community Partner Award. Legendary Israeli entrepreneur and investor Jonathan Medved will be the host keynote speaker for the event.
The event website, www.eaglestargala.com, features all the event details, including information, company tables, and online ticket purchase. Sponsorships are still available. For further information on nominations and sponsorships, contact Barry Swartz barry@aiccse.org or call 404-843-9426. |
|
Arkal Automotive USA Hosts
Grand Opening in Auburn
ARKAL Automotive hosted a grand opening for its brand new 32,000 square foot facility on May 3rd in Auburn Technology Park West in Auburn, Alabama. AICC Vice President Guy Tessler participated in the ribbon cutting. This is the first US manufacturing operation for the Lower Galilee-based company where ARKAL will produce durable, life-long plastic parts by utilizing advanced thermoplastic technologies and the latest developments in high-quality materials.
"In the first phase of this project, ARKAL will invest approximately $7.2 million and create 25 jobs, and we anticipate even more growth in the future," said Auburn Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. |
|
Huntsville Seminar Showcases
Selling to the Israel MOD
 |  | |
One-on-one meetings with MOD |
General Ben-Israel delivers keynote |
Over 60 participants from 44 defense, aerospace, and homeland security companies participated in the May 15 th seminar in Huntsville, Alabama that focused on opportunities to sell products to the Israeli military. Organized by AICC in partnership with NAITA-the North Alabama International Trade Association---the program featured a keynote address by Maj. General (Res.) Isaac Ben-Israel, chairman of the Israel Space Agency and former head of R&D for the IDF. His participation was sponsored by Consul General Opher Aviran.
Participants received a briefing by key executives of the Israel Ministry of Defense mission in New York on how Israel utilizes Foreign Military Financing of the US government to purchase over $2.5 billion each year from American companies and their companies can get on the qualified vendor list. |
|
Bibliotheca and Ex Libris Partner on
Library Technology Solutions
Bibliotheca, with its US operation in Norcross, Georgia, has announced a global partnership with Jerusalem-based Ex Libris Group, a world leader in the provision of library automation solutions. The agreement enables Ex Libris to provide seamless integration between their solutions and Bibliotheca's circulation, security and materials management products.
"Ex Libris solutions are known for their open architecture and robust integration with the world's most advanced technologies. As a pioneer in library technology solutions, we are pleased to present our global customer community with another opportunity to take advantage of leading technologies from innovative companies in the field. Establishing a coordinated roadmap and support network with Bibliotheca enables us to provide new capabilities to the benefit of our customers," said Bar Veinstein, Vice President of Resource Management Solutions.
|
|
Israeli Smart Energy Solutions Showcased
 | | Ben Taube (l) and Israeli and US company panelists share latest energy efficiency strategies at AICC's May 2nd event |
As the business best seller Start Up Nation so well documented, Israel is the leading entrepreneurial innovation economy in the world. Among the many sectors in which the Israelis excel is Energy. At an earlier this month organized by AICC's Cleantech Committee, Israeli Smart Grid solutions were showcased as part of its I3 ( Israel Innovation Impact) series.
Held at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business facility in Buckhead, the event featured three Israeli companies--- Panoramic Power, Gnrgy, and Greenlet Technologies, the tip of the Iceberg of Israeli entrepreneurs innovating this new frontier. A panel of US industry experts, interacted with the companies and audience and provided context for the discussion. AICC Cleantech Committee chair Ben Taube ( Consensus Energy) was the moderator. |
|
Economic News From Israel |
- Tel Aviv-based Gaia Real Estate Holdings and its US partner Starwood Capital Group bought 9,500 rental apartments across the US for $446 million. They are located across the Sun Belt with the majority in Dallas and Phoenix and the rest in Atlanta, Nashville, Houston, Corpus Christi, Ft. Lauderdale, and Orlando.
- Global Technology giant EMC Corporation has acquired Jerusalem-based XtremIO for $430 million. This is EMC's sixth acquisition in Israel and by far by the largest. The exit is considered an exceptional success for Israel's VC industry.
- Bank Hapoalim has announced that it will invest in high-tech companies with a financial orientation -- FinTech. The venture will identify Israeli companies that will be able to carry out pilots at the bank, and the investments will be made by Poalim Capital Markets.
- Delek US Holdings reported a near quadrupling of profit for the first quarter of 2012. The Tel Aviv-based company's US operation is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, and operates travel centers throughout the Southeast, an oil refinery in Texas, and an oil pipeline. Net profit for the quarter was $46.2 million compared with $16.9 million in the corresponding quarter of 2011.
- Haifa-based Pluristem Therapeutics has received a $3.1 million grant from the Office of the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Industry Trade & Labor. The grant will be used for R&D expenses including clinical trials to bring their placenta-based cell therapy technologies to the market.
- The FDA has approved for marketing in the US the drug Elelyso, developed by Karmiel-based Protalix Biotherapeutics, for the treatment of Gaucher disease. Following their approval, Protalix will receive a $25 million milestone payment from Pfizer which developed the treatment with the Israeli company.
- Misgav-based PolyTouch has been acquired by US-based Covidien for $26 million. A portfolio company of The Trendlines Group, PolyTouch developed a device for the precise and rapid deployment and placement of mesh during laparoscopic soft tissue repair procedures.
- Rehovot-based Rosetta Green has signed a licensing agreement with Bayer CropScience for a joint genetic project that has the potential to provide drought tolerance and improved yield in cotton. Bayer CropScience has its US headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
- US healthcare investment management firm OrbiMed has announced the closing of its first investment fund dedicated to life sciences venture capital opportunities in Israel. The $222 million fund includes an investment by the Israeli government for a reported $40 million. OrbiMed has been an investor in Israel for the past decade including an early stage investment in Given Imaging which has its North American headquarters in Atlanta.
- Intel has launched its 3G Ivy bridge processor, developed in Israel and the US, which is designed to offer substantially improved graphics and computer processing speed. The processors will be imbedded in PCs and all-in-one models that are now being shipped to stores.
- Israeli venture capital funds invested $190 million in Israeli companies during the first quarter, 10% less than the amount invested in the preceding quarter and 13% less than in the corresponding quarter according to a survey by the IVC Research Center and KPMG Somekh Chaikin Israel. 144 Israeli high-tech companies raised $483 million, down from $569 million raised by 124 companies in the preceding quarter but up just 0.8% from $479 million raised by 140 companies in the corresponding quarter of 2011.
- Israel has one of the hottest real estate markets in the world according to a survey by CNBC that found house prices jumping by more than 21% in 2009 and 16% in 2010. Israel was placed third with five-year growth of 54.5%, beating Singapore but well behind China and Hong Kong.
- Israel's unemployment rate rose to 6.9% in March compared with 6.5% in February according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. Bank Leumi is projecting 7.5-8% unemployment in 2013. 44,300 new job opportunities opened in March.
- Since the founding of Israel 64 years ago, Israel's exports have grown by 15,000%. In 1948, Israel exported $6 million worth of products, but by 2011, that number had jumped to about $90 billion.
- Demand for high-tech engineers rose 15.5% in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the preceding quarter according to a survey by Ethnosia Human Resources Ltd. The hiring comes amid a good mood in the industry with exits totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
- According to a survey financed by Google Israel, 64% of Israeli Internet users actively participate in social networks. 81.5% of Israelis over 12 years of age have Internet access, although only 70% of Israelis are active users. Only 31% of Haredim are active Internet users.
|
|
|
|
| |
Since 2007, Israel-based ITC helps companies expand their business presence, better serve their clients and save on communication costs. ITC is an innovative telephony business solution provider allowing you to become "local" regardless of your physical location. Even when you call your customers, they will see a local CallerID.
IsraelNumber provides Local Numbers worldwide, Toll-Free numbers, Virtual conference rooms, Fax2Mail and many other services. Time is money! Our setup and support are delivered at record time with no long-term commitment ever required.
We encourage you to test the capabilities of our system. Call Dave at +1.718.4733943 or write to dave@israelnumber.com and visit our website at www.israelnumber.com. | |
AICC offers an exclusive sponsorship for each Newsletter. To sponsor future Newsletters, contact Shelley Samach aiccse@aiccse.org
|
|
5/29
7:30 am
|
| |
6/5
4:00 pm |
| 6/7
12:00 pm |
| 6/12
7:00 pm |
| 6/14
7:45 am |
| | |
|
|
Israeli Companies Contacting Us |
|
Infrastructure Networks
Tel-Aviv-based provider of industrial Ethernet solutions uses its innovative service-aware switches with integrated capabilities for processing industrial automation protocols to deploy a distributed service-aware security solution. Its compact switch integrates all the functions Smart-Grid networking solutions require, providing intelligent MV-LV transformation centers with metering, power monitoring, and capacity automation. Seeking introduction to the IT and Cyber Security divisions within utilities and infrastructure providers.
Robotic Gym
Givat Shmuel-based developer of a unique technological platform for gym and medical applications offers a personal robot that converts regular fitness equipment into robotic. The personal robot identifies and improves each user's physiological performance in real time with advantages including modularity, high safety, low cost, and standards compliance, enabling enrichment for rehabilitation, ergometer, training, simulation, and more. Seeking investment.
Video Conversion
Haifa-based developer of video conversion solutions for content owners who will no longer be able to sell their old, lower-quality content. Oceans of data, at least 1 million hours per major provider, are quickly losing their value, and waiting to be revived. Their solutions enable monetizing old content by converting low-value SD content into money-making HD quality content. Seeking introductions to video content providers, major studios, TV platforms---broadcasters, VOD firms, cable companies, VOD, IPTV and DTTV firms, and Video archives.
Natural Cosmetics
Caesaria-based developer of a new line of natural cosmetics made with extracts of the orchid and enriched with vegetable elasticizing hydrolizates and botanical protectors. The combination of ingredients along with long acting natural moisturizing components makes creams particularly rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and skin renewal stimulants. Products include anti-aging cream, day moisturizer, night nourisher, foot care cream, after shave moisturizer, facial soap, body lotion, and hand care cream. Seeking distributors in the Southeast.
|
|
Shai Robkin
Bibliotheca
Directory Listing
Jonny Steel
ClickTale
Directory Listing
Dave Eden
I.T.C. IP Technologies Ltd.
Directory Listing
Mark Jackson
Moreson Conferencing
Directory Listing
Frances Zelazny
MyCheck USA
Directory Listing
Moti Weiss
Plenus
Directory Listing
Gil Makov
Orange Blossom Ventures Ltd.
Directory Listing
Darrie Schlesinger
Directory Listing |
|
Thanks to Renewing Members |
|
|
|
|
| |
Westin Atlanta Perimeter North
7 Concourse Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30328 (Directions) | |
We hope you will join us at the Eagle Star Awards Gala, AICC's annual community flagship event that honors the people and companies who have contributed most to the Southeast-Israel economic relationship.
This year, the event takes on special significance as we celebrate the Chamber's 20th anniversary as the premier Israel economic support organization in North America. For more information please go to the Eagle Star Website.
Dessert Reception (Dietary Laws Observed), Individual Ticket: $95, Company Table: $1,000 |
|
Israeli Company of the Year Finalists | |
 
| |
Deal of the Year Finalists | |
| |
------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
| |
Judges |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| | Founder & President | Global Customer Operations | Professor | | Agio Press | The Coca-Cola Company | Emory Business School |
|
|
Chamber Founders Award |
Israeli Keynote Speaker |
Community Partner Award | |
Attorney
Robert J. Deutsch P.A.
|
Entrepreneur & Investor
|
Roee Madai
Consul of Economic Affairs
on behalf of
The Israel Economic Mission to Southern U.S. |
| |
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
For More Information: Barry Swartz barry@aiccse.org, (404) 843-9426 |
|
Cresa -- Ballard Spahr -- Dale M. Schwartz & Associates
Baran Americas -- Georgia Power -- McGriff Siebels & Williams
Nelson Mullins -- Aarons Grant & Habif - Georgia Ports Authority
2012.eaglestargala.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
