The Grass is "Greener"... on our side

Promoting Israel - Through Green

This afternoon I was walking down the street in downtown SF with a friend. We happened to be discussing the potential for Israel in Greentech as we looked up to see the following billboard sign:

Quite a coincidence (and a sign from above?). I'm already used to seeing Greentech related to most anything in the US (from home electricity to hamburgers). But to see Greentech PR about Israel - or better yet, Israel PR through Greentech is very innovative - and very refreshing

 

Great innovative thinking from Blue Star PR firm.

 

(BTW - I've seen a few very innovative algae technology companies in Israel. Its a very exciting and challenging space, and Israel has some of the leading experts who are working on taking it to the next stage)

 

Technorati Tags: Israel, Greentech, Biofuel, Algae

Apple Macbook Air - The Israeli Connection

There's no doubt that not many can beat Apple's Marketing.

The launch of the new Air included.

As part of this launch, a great commercial has been airing on US TV (below):

 

Great concept - the Manila envelope really substantiates the proportions.

But maybe even better - the commercial's soundtrack...

So I decided to look up who's behind the super catchy song ("A New Soul"). And guess what - its none other than a young, unknown Israeli singer named Yael Naim. (apparently well known in France)

Here's the full song clip... very cute...

Only thing left was to go out and get the CD.

So - Only question left open... How did the Apple marketing people find the song... (The Israeli connection?...)

Technorati Tags: Apple, Macbook Air, Yael Naim, Israeli singer

Even Hanukkah is now Green!

It now seems that people are not even willing to light all their Hanukkah candles, in order to be Green.

Word has spread over the web (and mainstream media) calling for Jews to light one candle less this year:

"In a campaign that has spread like wildfire across the Internet, a group of Israeli environmentalists is encouraging Jews around the world to light at least one less candle this Hanukka to help the environment.

The founders of the Green Hanukkia campaign found that every candle that burns completely produces 15 grams of carbon dioxide. If an estimated one million Israeli households light for eight days, they said, it would do significant damage to the atmosphere.

So we've already established that 2007 will be a green year. And that public opinion has tipped.

But as in every social epidemic: There is a tipping point, after which things start to go a bit insane.

Have we reached that point already?!

(Hanukkah candles: left in a box there is no pollution... or maybe there is?...)

 

Technorati Tags: Greentech, candles, light, Hanukah, Hanukkah

End of summer migration... Passing through Tel Aviv

Israel, located at the junction of three continents, is crossed by migrating birds on a scale unparalleled anywhere. Studies over the past decade show that about 500 million birds cross Israel's narrow airspace twice every year in the course of their migrations. Consequently, Israel has become an attraction for bird enthusiasts worldwide.

Over the last weekend, I saw great amounts heading south... and had to pull out my camera

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Bird migration, Israel

Israel Green Academia

As I mentioned in the past, Israel is home to some of the worlds leading research and academic institutions.

Today I was lucky enough to be hosted at Ben Gurion University (BGU) in the Negev. I met the team leading the university's technology transfer activities (i.e. taking technologies and IP from the academic world into the industry), and several of the people behind the University's Green research.

One of the more interesting people I met, was the head of the Zuckerberg water research institute (located in Sde Boker). The institute focuses on developments across the water domain, including desalination, water treatment, membrane technologies, hydro chemistry, environmental hydrology, etc. Their team has grown significantly over the last years and currently has 22 faculty members, 16 engineers, and 62 graduate students, who come from all over the world to the desert - to find the next water innovation.

Bridging the divide:

In Greentech, much more than core IT, there is a big divide between the stage of academic research, and the stage of exporting it into the industry. There are additional stages that have to take place after the researcher finishes his work , so that the entrepreneur can start to work on it (and the VC can start to invest).

I think that one of the more encouraging takeaways i had from the day was that not only is BGU a place with significant Green innovations, but its also unique in thinking (and acting) on how to bridge this divide. For example, going beyond the pen & paper theoretical stage, and building actual testing labs for projects / products (Two such have already been built).

The meetings today showed there is a  strong desire from the researchers to go beyond the "theory". To build the products, and  increase their  involvement with the industry.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Israel, Greentech, Ben Gurion, University, Water, Sde Boker

Tel Aviv Bars Turn "Green" (Smoke Free)

If you ever told me this would happen, I would have never believed you, but it did this week:

The no smoking law in Israel has been around for quite a while, but only this last week was it actually enforced in Tel Aviv bars and clubs (Big fines to the owners who don't enforce it, and even some fines on the smokers)

Last night I was out to a bar, and all of the sudden part of the group excused themselves to go  out and smoke. What a pleasant surprise :)

Finally I can stay in a bar for over 30 minutes without coughing, getting teary eyes, and reeking of smoke. Tel Aviv has finally seen the light.

And on a different topic of "new generation socializing" - It seems its really not what it used to be:

Next to me was a group of friends celebrating a birthday. The "socializing" actually included:

• Sending SMSs
• Posing for (digital) photos
• Viewing the photos (immediately thereafter)
• Discussing who's going to post what photo on facebook
• And starting over again

Over the course of one hour I estimate over 1,000 flashes went off (not exaggerating)... A bit dazed I walked out of the place.

Am I getting too old for this?

 

Technorati Tags: Tel Aviv, bars, clubs, no smoking, facebook, generation

Israel's Media Industry Looks into the Future

Breathing in the fresh mountain air, looking up at the clear blue skies, gazing out at the vast view of Mount Hermon... That's how I started my day at the annual Rosh Pina TV & Film Festival (which should actually be titled "Media Festival"-details below)  

The country's media gang (referred to as "Ha-Branja" in Hebrew) convened over the last weekend to socialize and discuss the Israeli media industry. This year's headline: 40 Years for Israeli TV.

But instead of discussing the past accomplishments, this year, everyone was interested in discussing the future of the Israeli media (as well as their own). Following the weekend discussions, my biggest takeaway is:

There is the huge gap between the current state of media in Israel (specifically TV - very outdated), to that of the country's potential: Talents, know how, and world class technological capabilities:

Israel's current state of the media:

 TV is only 40 years old in Israel, but it's much older (i.e. much more advanced) in other countries.

1. No HD. No IPTV. DVR services have only just started to appear.

2. Public Broadcasting: Israel public broadcasting is a very slow, low budget (but high cost) entity, that does not produce quality content, and is still operating in a late 1980's mode. Basically, a lot of people, doing very little work.

Contrast this with the UK (BBC), which has been able to lead the media to the next generation with world class productions, segmented content, mobile device broadcasts, digital radio, etc.

There is talk about restructuring in Israel - but with the way public entities operate here (and the comments I heard this weekend), it would be foolish to have high hopes for change.

3. Advertisers: The Israeli ad agencies seem to be living in a dream, and have yet to fully expand into the new media and new advertising channels. Although reluctant to embrace the progressing changes, they are aware and do have a real fear of the impending changes in the advertising world.  TV and print still have a very strong dominance in ad spending. Moreover, advertisers still practice some legally questionable practices (such as "double commissions" - i.e. there is no separation between the ad agency and the media buyers, enabling them to charge media "placement" commissions from the channels. This has long been out-ruled in most countries).

I'm not sure if regulation will change soon enough, but I am sure that new media (such as Google in Israel) will be a pleasant wake up call. At least for the consumers. Maybe not so much for the ad agencies.

 

In contrast  - Israel has world class potential:

1. The Israeli media personas possess world class content and consumer understanding

• Israel has developed TV show formats that have acclaimed global success: "The Vault" was sold around the world, Uri Geller's "The Heir" was acquired by NBC (to be called "Phenomenon"), Betipul was sold to HBO, "The Ex" was sold to Fox, and many more...
• Israeli film has seen a revival over the last years - most recently winning prizes at all top international film festivals: Bikur Hatismoret at Tokyo last week, Meduzot at Cannes, Beaufort - all in the last year.

2. Israel is home to some of the most advanced players in New Media

Several Israeli startups are providing solutions that cross the Media consumption chain. Below is a slide I put together with just a small sample.

Unfortunately, these companies need to go to other countries to Beta test their products (given the lack of advanced implementation within Israel's existing channels).

3. The local media community is starting to realize the potential of the media revolution. Some have already made a move (one such example is Uri Shinar, a leading media figure in Israel, who led a panel this weekend and created Aniboom).

Combining the understanding these people have (in consumer needs, behaviors, and content) together with cutting edge technologies - can create a real competitive advantage in the global markets.

 

And this, in essence, is the reason I was there (and the reason my fund sponsored the event):

 To meet more of the media community, which I believe will soon be the foundation for Israel's next generation of media ventures.

Images from Rosh Pina TV and Film Fest

Just got back - Here a short compilation. More insights in a bit

 

Technorati Tags: Israel, Rosh Pina, Film, TV, Festival, 2007

iDrink 7...

Was a great success - I estimate over 300 people attended. We had great company presentations and networking. People are finding investors, employees, and brainstorming ideas...

Niv and Ouriel wrote nice impressions, so I won't add much. (Other than the fact that next time we'll definitely arrange for a bigger place!)

 

Technorati Tags: iDrink, idrink 07, Israel, Internet

Gemini at Rosh Pina TV & Film Festival פסטיבל טלוויזיה וקולנוע ראש פינה

Those of you who have been following my blog might remember a year ago I wrote about the great experience I had at the Rosh Pina Film Festival.

The Event is taking place again this weekend (time flies...)

Following the positive experience last year and my funds focus on New Media, Gemini will be sponsoring this year's event. I'm really glad about this, since:

• There is great talent in Israel with knowledge in Media and Consumer - that is applicable for the investments we make in New Media
• This is another first for my fund - we'll be the only VC at the event (I managed to find this one piece in English)
• I had no small part in making this happen ;)

If you are interested in the future of media - or just want a great weekend up north with the "Branja"* (and a us VCs) you should plan to drive up north this weekend.

* Branja = Hebrew slang  for media Celebes

Technorati Tags: Israel, Rosh Pina, Film, TV, Festival, 2007