Israeli Tech Tour Sponsors

FORTUNE is the world’s premier business magazine. FORTUNE delivers the most sought-after eyeballs in business: more than five million senior global decision-makers and influencers. With its own unique brand of storytelling, FORTUNE delivers in-depth, cutting-edge editorial coverage and exclusive insider access to some of the sharpest minds in the world.

At Microsoft, we're motivated and inspired every day by how our customers use our software to find creative solutions to business problems, develop breakthrough ideas, and stay connected to what's most important to them. We run our business in much the same way, and believe our seven core business units offer the greatest potential to serve our customers in the coming decade. They include: Windows Client, Information Worker, Business Solutions, Server Platforms, Windows CE & Mobility, MSN, and Home & Entertainment. We are committed long term to the mission of helping our customers realize their full potential. Just as we constantly update and improve our products, we want to continually evolve our company to be in the best position to accelerate new technologies as they emerge and to betterserve our customers.

For more than 25 years, Oracle has worked on ways to help our customers manage critical information. We built the only Unbreakable database, with 15 international security evaluations. We developed the first complete suite of business applications - for the internet. We created the fastest, most reliable, and least expensive application server. Why? So that our customers have reliable, secure, and complete business systems that give them better quality information at a lower cost.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services for public and private clients. More than 120,000 people in 139 countries connect their thinking, experience and solutions to build public trust and enhance value for clients and their stakeholders.

Tornado Insider is the only true pan-European technology media company serving the pan-European technology industry, providing entrepreneurs, investors, service providers and other participants with the information they need to succeed in Europe's high-growth high-tech economy. By connecting all the relevant players across industry and geographic boundaries through a rich mixture of news, analysis, research and conferences, Tornado Insider plays a vital role in helping Europe's entrepreneurs and investors build great companies.

Vision Capital is a Trans-Atlantic fund providing growth capital for leading technology companies. Vision invests in promising European and US technology companies and then takes an active, hands-on approach in expanding these businesses across the Atlantic. Vision Capital specializes in investments focusing on communication, software and Internet/e-commerce companies that are proven winners and have global potential. Their portfolio consists of venture backed European technology companies with a strong foundation in Europe who wish to enter U.S. market and U.S. companies who seek an added-value investor who can assist in global expansion.

JVP is a leading international venture capital firm focusing on investments in early stage companies in the enterprise software & networking, semiconductors & components and communications & mobile infrastructure sectors. With $670 million under management, and offices in New York, London, Jerusalem and Tokyo, JVP leverages its international presence, vast expertise and substantial capital base to build companies with the potential to shape and dominate global markets.

Elron is a multinational technology group, which takes an active role in the development and growth of its subsidiaries and affiliates. Since 1962, Elron has been building technology leaders and creating shareholders value through its corporate direction. Our activities over the years were a major force in development of defense electronics, communications, semiconductors and medical imaging technologies. In recent years we have focused on defense electronics, information technology, software products, communication, medical devices and amorphous metals.

Caesarea’s uniqueness stems for the fact that it is run by a private company. It is the only residential area of its kind that is managed by a business by private company, the Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Development Corporation Ltd. (CDC). It all started more than 50 years ago. Immediately following the establishment of the State of Israel, the Rothschild family made an unusual decision – to transfer all Rothschild lands to the new state. This unparalleled contribution included hundreds of thousands of acres of land, including the Caesarea lands (Caesarea alone lies on 35,000 dunams of land). In addition, the family requested to fulfill the will of Edmond James de Rothschild, the well-known benefactor, to establish a foundation that will contribute to education, arts and culture, and welfare organizations.

Eyal Khayat, Zolty & Co. is a hi-tech/corporate boutique law firm, focused on representing venture capital funds, Israeli and international, in particular investments, as well as on providing, on an ongoing basis, legal services to many start up and more mature companies, both private and public.

A pioneer in Israel's venture capital industry, Gemini provides start-up financing and expert guidance to help talented entrepreneurs build great companies. Our portfolio includes some of the hottest Israeli high tech start-ups, and our 10-year track record includes nearly 20 successful exits. With over $350 million under management in three funds, Gemini focuses on seed and early stage companies in the fields of Telecommunications, Data Communications, Fabless Semiconductors, Internet Infrastructure and Enterprise Software.

Giza Venture Capital was established in 1992 and has three funds totaling $316 million. Giza has invested in 63, early to late-stage companies in the sectors of Communications, IT, Enterprise Software and Life Sciences, with 21 exits including: Precise (NASDAQ:PRSE), Oridion (SWX:ORIDN), Butterfly (acquired by TI), Libit (acquired by TI), M- Systems (NASDAQ:FLSH), Zoran (NASDAQ:ZRAN), Scorpio (acquired by US Robotics, then 3COM), DSPC (acquired by Intel), DSPG (NASDAQ:DSPG), X Technologies (acquired by Guidant). The fund’s capability in evaluating technologies combined with its cumulative experience in venture capital, operations, investments and M&A, create the foundation of Giza’s vision and success.

“Globes” is Israel’s financial daily. It covers business, economics, and markets in Israel and the world, and is considered an indispensable tool for business decision-makers and investors.

Globes Online, at www.globes.co.il, is the international business community’s window on Israel, particularly on its high-tech and biotechnology industries. Globes Online makes Globes’ coverage of the latest financing rounds, venture capital trends, and up-and-coming technologies, available to English speakers, on the site and through daily and weekly newsletters.

At IBM, we strive to lead in the invention, development and manufacture of the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, storage systems and microelectronics.We translate these advanced technologies into value for our customers through our professional solutions, services and consulting businesses worldwide.

Intel Capital’s strategic investment program is one of the largest corporate venture programs worldwide investing in the technology segment. With an overall strategy to stimulate advances in computing and communications, the Intel Capital team seeks out and invests in promising companies worldwide working together to establish new and innovative technologies, develop industry standard solutions, drive Internet growth and advance the computing platform. While financial returns are not Intel’s primary goal, Intel seeks companies that can succeed and have an impact on their market segment.

Founded in 1995, Israel Seed Partners has raised four funds, totaling close to $300 million, which focus on Israeli information technology and life sciences companies. Our investments are typically in seed and very early stage funding with a commitment to work with our companies on their next stages of funding.

The Israel Venture Association (IVA) was founded in 1996 and is the representative association for the Israeli Venture Capital Industry.

IVC (Israel Venture Capital) Research Center is Israel's leading research center specializing in analyzing and monitoring Israel's high-tech industry. IVC's publications provide insights on venture capital, private equity and high-tech companies. They are used by business leaders, major financial entities and government organizations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Israel. These include venture capital and private equity funds, investment companies, entrepreneurs, academic institutions, and government entities such as the office of the Prime Minister of Israel and the Bank of Israel.

Sellys focuses on solutions and its services include interactive web design, e-services and IT consulting.

Vertex Venture Capital manages investments in Israel and Europe and is headquartered in Tel Aviv and London, with offices in the USA. Vertex Venture Capital invests in technology-intensive companies with outstanding management and real market growth potential. Vertex creates strategic partnerships for its portfolio companies in Europe, East Asia and the US and has proven expertise in initiating and managing M&As on their behalf.

Walden is one of the first Israeli venture capital funds dedicated to investing in early-stage start-ups. Our team comprises experienced entrepreneurs and our international affiliation spans twenty-five years of experience in building four hundred early-stage companies. With over $185 million under management in three funds, Walden Israel concentrates investments in the following areas: Enterprise Software and e/c-Commerce Technology; Communication and Internet Infrastructure and Healthcare.

Weber Shandwick is one of the world's leading public relations and communications management firms. In more than 82 owned offices across the globe, Weber Shandwick relies on a clear client focus, the finest talent in the industry, and a commitment to delivering outcomes - not just output - to produce memorable public relations programs with measurable results. Weber Shandwick is managed by a diverse senior team with professional backgrounds in journalism, law, government, political consulting, finance, healthcare, technology and much more.  The firm's leadership team is committed to a collaborative culture in which we work across borders, continents, disciplines and industry sectors, and join with our Interpublic partners to provide complete marketing solutions.