Calcalist

Palo Alto has acquired the startup Console for an estimated $500 million, without disclosing the deal's value. It has emerged that Palo Alto CEO Nikesh Arora was among the startup's early investors.

Former basketball player and venture capitalist Omri Casspi has completed a $250 million raise for his third fund. The total volume of assets under management at Swish Ventures has reached $800 million.

Israeli researchers secured only 11 ERC grants under the Horizon program, a sharp decline from previous years. Experts attribute this to a mix of technical changes and potential academic boycotts.

Strauss, through its joint venture 3corações, has finalized the acquisition of Brazilian food producer Yoki. The final transaction value reached 642 million reals, 20% lower than the initial estimate.

Max Stock has signed a lease agreement for a new 45,000-square-meter logistics center in Ofakim with GT Holdings, a company co-owned by its CEO, Ori Max. The project, expected to be completed in 2028, involves an investment of approximately 20 million shekels.

Businessman David Galperin and investment manager Emil Goldfarb are launching the hedge fund Centenario Capital. The fund is starting with $20 million in investment commitments.

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced that the administration now trusts Anthropic, signaling the end of a high-profile standoff regarding the company's refusal to allow military use of its AI products.

Dr. Galit Desha, an expert in gender and trauma, has founded Ozz Health. The startup is developing an AI-powered app called "Dorothy" to guide patients through hospitalization, aiming to reduce anxiety and improve the patient experience.

Concert ticket prices in Israel have risen by an average of about 8% over the past year. Despite an 18% drop in search volume due to rounds of fighting, audiences returned quickly to venues when events were held.

The dollar is strengthening in the local market, rising by 0.3% to trade at 3.03 shekels, contrary to the global trend of the American currency. Investors are awaiting the upcoming US employment report.

Aya New York revealed in its Q2 2026 financial statements that it had pledged future income from assets already serving as collateral for its bondholders.

Following a 100% jump in the stock since the beginning of the year, investors developed impossible expectations for Palo Alto. The world's largest cybersecurity company published excellent financial reports.

The shipping sector is attracting long-term investors against the backdrop of the crisis in the Middle East, which is raising the potential for high returns on vessel prices and shipping rates.

Israel's 2026 revenues are deceptive. Despite strong tax collection, Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovich warns of significant fiscal challenges ahead in 2027–2028.

In August 2026, the volume of assets in overseas stock funds reached parity with Israeli funds, totaling 167 billion shekels in each category, marking a significant shift in investor preferences.

The state will provide direct support to the dairy sector for the first time to lower prices for goat and sheep cheeses. The agreement between the Ministry of Finance and farmers includes 24 million NIS in annual subsidies.

The Maldives has emerged as a transit hub for goods heading to Russia in violation of Western sanctions. Hundreds of millions of dollars in dual-use items have been processed through the local airport.

American company Proofpoint is in advanced talks to acquire the Israeli cyber firm Varonis. Following the report, Varonis's market capitalization on Wall Street jumped by 10%.

The Israeli high-tech sector has seen a surge in investment, with WonderFul, Upwind, and Lyte raising a combined total of one billion dollars in a single day, signaling a robust recovery.

The Movement for Quality Government has demanded an explanation from the Standards Institution regarding the delay in updating the SI 118 concrete standard. Estimates suggest this delay could cause up to 500 million shekels in budgetary damage to the Metro project.

Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen announced that Israel's water sector is recovering from a crisis at its desalination plants. Production now exceeds consumption, and reservoirs are being refilled.

The Knesset is preparing to install a new, durable Hanukkiah on its roof for annual use. The project, commissioned to designer Adam Braun, will cost 288,000 shekels.

A US court has rejected the Department of Justice's demand for Google to divest its advertising business. The company will retain control of its AdX exchange, subject only to operational adjustments.

Cybersecurity firm Upwind Security has raised approximately $300 million, bringing its valuation to about $3.8 billion. The company has more than doubled its value in just a few months.

Teva reported positive results in a clinical trial for the treatment of celiac disease. The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that the TEV-408 antibody prevents intestinal damage.

Phoenix, Migdal, and WeSure have won the Ministry of Finance tender for insuring private vehicles of state employees, retirees, and career soldiers in the IDF for 2027. Over 70,000 vehicles are expected to be covered.

Uber is cutting 3,300 jobs, approximately 10% of its global workforce, to streamline management layers. The move aims to reallocate resources toward ride-sharing, delivery, and autonomous taxi divisions.

The American company Lyte, which develops technology for robotics and physical AI, has raised up to $165 million. The funding round was led by investor Avigdor Willenz, who will serve as the company's Chairman of the Board.

The Israel Securities Authority has launched a criminal investigation into Cimed Holdings Limited at the request of US authorities. The company is suspected of misappropriating tens of millions of dollars.

Israeli startup Wonderful, developer of an operating system for enterprise AI, has raised $550 million in a Series C round. The company's valuation has reached $5 billion.

The New York City municipality is tightening regulations on technology use in schools ahead of the new academic year. Elementary students will face a ban on AI and personal screens until the third grade.

Israeli cyber company Huskeys has raised $27 million in a funding round led by Blackstone. The startup's platform integrates an Agentic AI layer into WAF infrastructure to address security risks in the AI era.

Zviki Ben David, VP of HyperStrong, warns that a lack of flexible economic models is driving Israeli energy companies to invest billions in Europe, potentially hindering Israel's ability to meet its national energy goals.

Gat Foods, a manufacturer of concentrates for the global beverage industry, is laying off 20% of its staff at the Emek Hefer plant. The move is driven by the strong shekel and declining export revenues.

AITAN, a developer of AI-based combat systems, has raised $41 million in a funding round. The startup's technology has been in intensive operational use by the IDF since the start of the Swords of Iron war.

Phoenix, Migdal, and WeSure have won the Ministry of Finance tender for insuring private vehicles of state employees, retirees, and IDF career soldiers for 2027. The program covers over 70,000 vehicles.

The Israeli company Bizzabo and the payment giant PayPal have announced staff reductions. The layoffs at both companies are part of global operational efficiency programs.

Experts at the Calcalist and Discount Energy Conference identified the state of the power grid as the primary obstacle to Israel's infrastructure development. They are calling for a national project to modernize the grid.

K-Power CEO Katya Shur stated that integrating solar panels and energy storage systems into fish farming operations can rescue the industry from economic crisis by providing farmers with additional income.

Rafael Maman, CEO of Bazan, stated that relying solely on fuel imports is utopian for Israel, emphasizing that the country must maintain independent refining capabilities given current security realities.