startupmania

Google Israel R&D center has recently announced that the company has purchased LabPixies, an Israeli start-up which develops personalized gadgets for iGoogle, Android and the iPhone. According to the company, this is a strategic purchase; the first of its kind for Google’s Israeli R&D center. The sum of purchase is estimated at $25 million dollars. LabPixies’ staff is set to join Google Israel’s R&D center.

LabPixies was founded by Oded Poncz, acting as the company’s VP of development, Ran Ben Yair, Udi Graff and Nir Tzemah. It has earned seed investments from a group of American angels represented by Yaron and Gilad Carni. The company has promoted cloud-based applications which allow thousands of developers to create applications for users all around the world, and has developed gadgets for iGoogle which provide users for relevant information such as news, weather, games and quick access to a personal e-mail.

Google spokespeople have said that the purchase is a “natural choice” for Google’s Israeli R&D center, and its people will assist in the efforts to continue and provide such applications for internet users around the world.

Ben Yair, LabPixies’ CEO, said that “we see the deal with Google as a golden opportunity for our team to integrate in a work environment which shares our passion – to supply millions of users with the ultimate online experience.”

Prof. Yossi Mattias, CEO of Google Israel’s R&D center, said that they “believe adding the LabPixies’ team to the center will allow us to continue and strengthen the internet platform, and turn it into a more attractive environment for developers and websurfers around the world.” He added, “Google believes in the Israeli innovation and creativity, and will strive to continue and cooperate with local start-ups and companies in the future.”

Translated by Itai Rosenbaum