Quantum Hub
Deal Flow
June 2024
Dear Partners,
Welcome to Quantum's June 2024 Deal Flow report!
You will find 4 sections in the report:
Discover the latest in the Israeli tech ecosystem with our Ecosystem News, highlighting events, announcements, & investments.
Stay informed about Quantum activities in our Quantum Hub News.
Explore our Spotlight section for in-depth insights into the most intriguing companies of the month.
For a comprehensive overview, dive into our Full Deal Flow Report, featuring relevant companies from our focal sectors.
We value your feedback, so feel free to share your thoughts and questions!
Ecosystem News
#1
The 2024 Israeli Energy Tech Landscape Map
Published this month, the "Israel Energy Tech Landscape Map 2024" highlights the transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions. The energy sector, responsible for over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is crucial in this shift. Energy tech, part of climate tech, supports advanced low-carbon systems across various industries, offering significant opportunities.
Israel leads this innovation with over 300 companies, 40% in late-stage development. The ecosystem spans renewable energy, smart grids, energy storage, efficiency, waste-to-energy, hydrogen, and carbon mitigation.
Key data for 2024 includes $403 million raised in the past year, with 60% early-stage and 40% late-stage companies. Notable investments were made in Econergy, XtraLit, and Nitrofix.
Produced by Startup Nation Central, Ignite the Spark, and the Israel Export Institute, the map features over 160 companies, serving as a tool for global investors and corporations to explore Israeli energy tech.
Review the map to discover more about these innovative solutions and opportunities.
#2
JFrog Acquires Israeli AI Startup Qwak for $230 Million to Enhance AI and MLOps Capabilities
JFrog, a Nasdaq-listed company, is acquiring Israeli startup Qwak for $230 million to enhance its AI and MLOps capabilities. Qwak's platform facilitates the creation, implementation, operation, and management of AI applications, allowing development and data science teams to focus on core tasks by minimizing infrastructure work. This acquisition aims to integrate Qwak's MLOps solutions with JFrog's platform, enhancing user efficiency and providing a unified experience for DevOps, DevSecOps, MLOps, and MLSecOps. The deal has been highly profitable for Qwak's investors, with the company's valuation quadrupling in 15 months.
#3
2024 Israeli Robotics Tech Report: Rapid Growth and Diverse Innovations Across Sectors
The "2024 Israeli Robotics Tech Companies" report published this month highlights the rapid growth and diverse innovation in Israel's robotics sector, which is considered the next wave of AI. Israel is home to 170 robotics companies across various sectors: 33% in Industrial Technologies, 23% in Agrifood Tech, 19% in Health Tech, and 9% in Aerospace and Defense. Notably, the use of robotics in Agrifood Tech is unique to Israel due to its history of agricultural innovation.
Since 2017, the number of robotics companies in Israel has grown by 126%, outpacing the overall company formation rate.
Key companies include Unlimited Robotics, Finally, XTEND (SPARK 7 cohort), Intuition Robotics, ReWalk Robotics, and RGo Robotics, all contributing to significant advancements in service, eldercare, mobility, and autonomous operation technologies.
Private funding for Israeli robotics peaked at $500M in 2021, sustaining momentum with significant investments in Health Tech and Industrial Technologies. Early-stage funding remains robust, reflecting investor confidence in sector expansion.
Top-funded firms include Fabric, Intuitive, Momentis Surgical, Airobotics, Powermat Technologies, and Beewise, highlighting innovations from fulfillment robots to autonomous drones and sustainable agriculture solutions.
Notable exits include Equashield's $300M merger and Ecoppia's $82M TASE listing, showcasing sector maturity and global impact. Israel's robotics tech ecosystem continues to innovate across industries, shaping the future of AI-driven automation and beyond.
Israel's dynamic robotics tech sector is at the forefront of global innovation, driving advancements across diverse industries with its rapid growth and significant investment.
RoadSense <> VDL Mast Solutions POC
Quantum Hub, in collaboration with VDL Mast Solutions, their client Heijmans, and Israeli startup RoadSense, successfully conducted a POC in the Netherlands this month. This initiative leveraged advanced sensor and AI technologies to enhance road safety and traffic management.
The Company:
RoadSense has developed a sophisticated sensor system designed to detect, analyze, and process movements in urban environments. It sends commands and generates insights to promote safer mobility and optimize urban spaces in smart cities.
The POC:
The RoadSense sensor system was deployed at a complex intersection near the entrance of a Heijmans parking facility, where bicycle and pedestrian paths intersect with vehicular traffic. The system monitored real-time road conditions, accurately detected pedestrians and cyclists, and immediately alerted vehicle drivers. It also delivered comprehensive statistical insights and analytical reports.
Results:
At the conclusion of the POC, RoadSense shared analytical reports with Heijmans and VDL, highlighting critical insights into traffic risks and optimization opportunities.
This successful experiment underscores the longstanding partnership between VDL Groep and Quantum Hub, paving the way for continued collaboration and the development of commercial agreements among all parties involved.
Quantum hub Startups Delegation to VDL Groep
This month, our second startup delegation visited VDL Groep in the Netherlands. The delegation featured notable startup companies, including RoadSense, Ageera, Sima Analytics, QualiSense, and RGo Robotics. This visit allowed startups to present their innovative solutions to VDL's top management and explore potential PoC opportunities with VDL companies.
Our delegation visited several VDL companies, including VDL Steelweld, VDL Mast Solutions, VDL Energy Systems, VDL Leegte Metaal, VDL TIM, VDL Container Systems, VDL TBP Electronics, VDL VDS, VDL ETG Projects, VDL ETG Eindhoven, and VDL Automated Vehicles. These visits offered our startups valuable insights into VDL's industry-leading operations and opened their minds to new opportunities.
As a result of this delegation, we are now working on 12 possible collaborations across various use cases. This visit was a significant opportunity for Israeli startups to gain insights and establish potential partnerships with a key industry leader. We look forward to the future innovations and collaborations resulting from this visit.
Quantum News
Quantum Hub @ EcoMotion
Quantum Hub and Hyundai Cradle showcased at Ecomotion annual assembly - Israel's biggest smart mobility community.
Ecomotion brought together 1,200 attendees, 30 startups, and 37 partners. The Ecomotion assembly showcased significant startups in Automotive, Mobility & Transportation and shared discussions about important topics such as the electric vehicle future, how to build intelligent vehicles using AI, the future of transportation in Israel using drones, and the efforts towards zero emissions in mobility.
As part of the conference, Quantum Hub and Hyundai established a live demonstration of its latest logistics project. The demonstration showed how a robotic arm by Deep Learning Robotics autonomously delivers packages using Quantum’s version of the KIA PBV (purpose-built vehicle) and the Spot robot-dog by Boston Dynamics.
Quantum Hub @ PlaneTech
Quantum Hub partnered with PLANETech - Climate Change Technologies at PLANETech World 2024, an event that brought together 1,500 attendees, 80 speakers, 70 startups, and 56 partners. The conference showcased significant advancements in climate technology and fostered a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration.
Quantum Hub led the Sustainable Mobility & Transport round table during the event and participated in the Clean Energy Systems round table. These sessions enabled representatives from leading corporations and investors to address key challenges and explore innovative solutions in sustainable mobility and clean energy.
PLANETech World 2024 highlighted the dedication and creativity within the Israeli climate tech community, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in driving systemic change and accelerating the transition to greener, more efficient transportation systems.
Advancing AR Content Creation
Augmind is a content creation company developing solutions across multiple sectors, from advertising and entertainment to industry and politics. Its proprietary technology implements artificial intelligence and delivers revolutionary 3D content and design.
The company's development services are comprised of 3D artists and specialists, game designers, coders, and sound engineers using AI to produce lifelike mixed reality content that runs on mobile devices, responds to user interaction, and is cost-effective to produce.
Commercial CT Machines for Battery Packs
The company is developing the first commercial, high-performance, battery-pack-size CT machine to analyze a stand-alone pack within minutes using proprietary AI-based algorithms. This scan enables precise repair and reuse of the pack for second-life applications. Additionally, Navona plans to introduce a drive-in, drive-out chamber to scan battery packs in situ for safer and higher-valued used car purchases and periodic safety evaluations of EVs in large fleets.
NextGen AI & Cloud Compute Platform
Navona introduces the SPPU (Simplified Parallel Processing Unit), a new cloud-first hardware and software computing architecture.
This solution provides better MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) per watt and reduces hardware development costs. It supports over 10,000 concurrent logical flows, making it highly parallel. The architecture is designed to be 80% software and 20% hardware, ensuring flexibility. Additionally, it offers backward and future compatibility through software, aiming to improve computing efficiency and simplicity.
Deep tech Co-Pilot Brain for Controlled-mobility
A user-centric solution for controlled mobility through a digital-twin SaaS platform. This platform utilizes personalized machine learning and AI/AGI to create a "Cross-Platform Driving Brain" for each driver. The company aims to break silos by correlating performance data across different platforms, enhancing the overall mobility experience.
Their solution includes:
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Simulators: Training for riders and drivers, correlated with real-world performance.
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Auto Sport: Tools to perform and improve within the safety envelope.
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Moto: A full-stack brain with rider control.
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Solo Mobility: "Enterprise on wheels" for solo mobility solutions.
Spotlight
Augmind
Advancing AR Content Creation
Dataspan ai
Data-Efficient Computer Vision Rapid Development Platform
UpFlow
Industrial and Agricultural Wastewater Treatment
CyWat Technologies
An Online Water Monitoring Biological Quality Detection
Full Deal Flow