Robert Daniel

Israel's third-quarter technology funding rose 14 percent on 13 percent fewer deals, according to a survey by the IVC Research Center of Tel Aviv and consultants KPMG Somekh Chaikin. Israeli high-tech companies raised $1.19 billion in the quarter, compared with $1.04 billion in the year-earlier period. Also, the number of funding deals fell to 142 from 164. Adjusting for one large deal, a $204 million bond pricing involving Ormat, funding in the third quarter fell 5.6 percent from a year earlier to $982 million, which the survey called in line with the three-year quarterly average of $1 billion.Through the nine months, Israeli high-tech companies raised $4 billion, a 27 percent above the $3.15 billion of the year-earlier period. The number of deals was 510, up nearly 4 percent from 491.

Saguna Networks, the Yoqneam, Israel, producer of technology to make mobile broadband faster and more efficient, closed a $5 million financing round led by CE Ventures of Hong Kong with participation by the company’s current holders. Saguna said in a statement that it would use the funding to expand the company’s mobile-edge computing offering and global […]

Saguna Networks, the Yoqneam, Israel, producer of technology to make mobile broadband faster and more efficient, closed a $5 million financing round led by CE Ventures of Hong Kong with participation by the company’s current holders. Saguna said in a statement that it would use the funding to expand the company’s mobile-edge computing offering and global […]

Gamida Cell, the Jerusalem specialist in stem-cell technologies to treat cancer and genetic diseases, received a $4.4 million grant from the Israel Innovation Authority, formerly the Office of the Chief Scientist. The non-dilutive funding will support R&D, including Gamida Cell’s Phase III registration study of NiCord for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and its […]

BioSight Ltd, the Karmiel, Israel, developer of less-toxic chemotherapy drugs, closed a $13 million investment led by Arkin Holdings of Herzliya Pituach, Israel, and Primera Capital of Littleton, Colorado. BioSight said in a statement that it would use the proceeds to fund a multi-center Phase IIb clinical trial of its lead product, Astarabine, which is designed to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Arkin and Primera are to invest $5 million each and current holders, including Michael Ilan Management & Investments of Kadima, Israel, will put in $3 million. The investment will come in two steps, the first immediate and the second conditioned on the company meeting a milestone.

BioSight Ltd, the Karmiel, Israel, developer of less-toxic chemotherapy drugs, closed a $13 million investment led by Arkin Holdings of Herzliya Pituach, Israel, and Primera Capital of Littleton, Colorado. BioSight said in a statement that it would use the proceeds to fund a multi-center Phase IIb clinical trial of its lead product, Astarabine, which is designed to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Arkin and Primera are to invest $5 million each and current holders, including Michael Ilan Management & Investments of Kadima, Israel, will put in $3 million. The investment will come in two steps, the first immediate and the second conditioned on the company meeting a milestone.

Levyx Inc, the Irvine, California, producer of cost-efficient big-data infrastructure technology for all size enterprises, closed a $5.4 million Series A financing led by OCA Ventures of Chicago. In a statement, Levyx said that other participating investors included Amino Capital (aka zPark Capital) of Palo Alto, California, and Sumavision USA Corp. Sumavision Technologies Co is the Beijing provider of video-delivery solutions. Individual executives from tech companies including EMC and SAP also invested in the round. Levyx plans to use the funds to speed product development and boost sales and marketing.

RayVio Corp, the Hayward, California, producer of ultraviolet LED technology for applications including disinfecting water at the point of use, raised $26 million in funding rounds led by IPV Capital and Tsing Capital. Participating current investors included DCM Ventures, Capricorn Investment Group, Applied Ventures, Augment Ventures, Tolero Ventures and New Ground Ventures. Alex Banh of IPV Capital and Don Ye of Tsing Capital will join RayVio’s board. RayVio said it would use the funds to boost production and continue R&D. It expects to double its workforce. The company says its technology is portable and versatile and can protect against germs in water and air and on surfaces.

ProtoStar Inc, the San Diego producer of the LifeWalker Upright medical walker, closed its initial round of equity capital, raised mainly from private San Diego investors. The amount wasn’t disclosed. ProtoStar said it plans a line of equipment for people who need help with walking “as a result of aging, trauma, spine or joint replacement surgery, musculoskeletal, neurological and gait disorders, and obesity.” The company also named James H. Berglund chairman and Selwyn Isakow a director. Berglund is a co-founder of Enterprise Partners Venture Capital. Isakow is founder, chairman and chief executive of Oxford Investment Group Inc.

The University of Michigan's Social Venture Fund said it participated in the Series Seed B convertible-note round of financing for Conversa Health. Conversa, San Rafael, California, provides services to enable physicians to manage their relationships with patients. The student-led fund said in a statement that it was part of a syndicate of early-stage healthcare investors. A team of seven students did a due-diligence review of Conversa, the fund said. The Social Venture Fund, managed by about 40 students who are on track to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration, said it backs “for-profit companies that place social and environmental impact at the heart of their business models.” The fund has seven active investments. It focuses on healthcare, education, food systems and environment and urban revitalization.