The start-up Panoramic Power, which develops an innovative solution for monitoring electricity usage, was chosen to represent Israel in the finals of IBM’s SmartCamp. The descision was announce in a festive ceremony held last Thursday at the IBM House in Petach Tikva. The event, produced by People & Computers, saw five companies compete for the lucrative title.

The competition’s early stages saw over 70 start-ups compete, out of which, ten were chosen to move on to the next phase. The competition was aimed at Israeli companies founded less than three years ago, privately owned, who are developing a product meant to integrate in IBM’s Smarter Planet initiative. Local competitions such as this are being held in 6 other cities around the world: Boston, San Francisco, London, Paris, Dublin and Stockholm. A representative from each will arrive at Dublin in November for the final, where the winner will be awarded the title “World’s Smartest Start-Up”.

The judges in the Israeli competition were: Uzia Galil - one of the local high-tech industry’s forefathers, Yoram Tiz – CEO of Ernest & Young Israel, Rali Meridor – VP of the Israeli Post Service’s Information System, Oded Cohen – Manager of IBM’s Haifa-based Research Labs and Dan Yachin – Research Manager at IDC Israel.

Panoramic Power is developing a cheap solution for monitoring electricity usage on the individual circuit level. The system allows the owners and managers of commercial buildings to minimize electricity usage by 15-20% as well as predict and prevent malfunctions, overloads and electrical fires. An exact mapping of a building’s electrical system, which is enabled once the system is operational, will lead to a better management of the building, while incorporating energy cost in ERP systems. This solution, on which a patent request has been filed, utilizes cheap wireless sensors with a software offered as a service. The company employs 4 employees and operates out of the basement of one of its founders in Kidron. The company’s founders are Adi Shamir and David Almagor, who worked together in the semi-conductor field and communications, as well as Cory Selka, a former executive in Microsoft. Work on the system started in April ’09, on private funding by the partners, joined by a private investor.

When notified of their victory, Almagor said that he is “scared if [he] does not win the competition in Ireland, [he] will not be able to return to Israel.” The event was hosted by Peli HaNamer – president and founder of People & Computers, and was opening words were said by Gabi Tal – director at IBM Europe, which is responsible for maintaining contact with software developers.

Translated by Itai Rosenbaum

Last week saw the close of the selection phase for IBM’s SmartCamp competition, and the ten start-ups that will move on to the semi-finals have been selected. The semi-final will be held on June 24^th, and the five start-ups most fitting IBM’s SmartPlanet initiative will compete for the right to represent Israel in the finals in November.

Joining the already announced Gnrgy and Panoramic Power are the following 8 start-ups:

TruMedia specializes in analyzing videos of human crowds, and transmitting multimedia content which fit the analyzed footage. Applications can include displaying commercials which address a particular audience, marketing networks who identify specific parameters for potential buyers, or information kiosks.

Greenlet Technologies is a start-up which specializes in energy consumption solutions for electrical products. Greenlet’s solution, which makes use of hardware which easily plugs into the electrical grid and various electrical products, combines analysis features of the amount of energy consumed by each product, the ability to control electrical flow into that device and a web-based application and dedicated databases which can be used to determine the correct energy consumption profiles for each device.

The fifth entry in the Israeli semi-finals is Joliper, a start-up which sets out to turn the cell phone into a mobile security center, and provides the ability to connect, through the mobile device, to cameras located anywhere in the world, and view their feed, no matter where you are, all through the cellular carrier network.

Xsights, is a start-up which provides image analysis technology and prides itself on its ability to identify any static object a cell phone camera is pointed at. That is, assuming one of Xsights users has already taken a picture of that object before and created a database link between that object (such as a url for a cinema) and the object picture he or she inputer (such as the façade of that cinema).

Blabbers is a company which provides a service that adds an extra layer of data linked to standard web-page addresses. Users will be able to add annotations, charts and even dedicated applications that will be linked to specific web-pages, and these add-ons will be available to other Blabbers users who surf to the same URL.

The start-up Fooducate offers an iPhone application which scans bar-codes on food products, connects to an external database which contains alternative information to that which the manufacturer provides on the packaging. The information provided includes alternative suggestions, which, according to Fooducate personnel, provide a healthier alternative.

eViglio is a start-up which provides a platform for emergency information dispersion. eViglio specializes in mass messaging a large crowd with urgent messages, according to geographic and demographic sects, and make use of a plethora of communication methods such as SMS, the internet and other mass communication channels.

Lastly, Way Better, is dedicating its efforts to improve modern cities’ transportation. Through a unique algorithm, the entrepreneurs promise to analyze the need for passenger transport and the transportation options available in the field, and identify the most efficient, and cheapest options available at any given moment. The company’s products, which are aimed at large public and private organization, large transport services and private clients who require transport services, strive to locate efficient and cheap “rides” from one location to another, all the while finding the most suitable driver and vehicle for the situation at hand, and connecting them with the passanger who will make the best use of the route.

If you’re involved in the start-up field, and active in work in the Israeli start-up relam, or working with a promising Israeli start-up, you are hereby invited to register to the upcoming SmarCamp event, where you will get some networking done, experience the five finalists’ presentations and hear lectures by IBM guests.

Translated by Itai Rosenbaum

The qualification phase of IBM’s SmartCamp competition is shifting into a high gear and over the next couple of weeks I will be publishing the names of the Israeli start-ups who were deemed worthy to move on to the next step of the global competition.

To refresh your memory, the competition semi-finals will be held in Israel on June 24th, and the 5 start-ups who best fit IBM’s SmartPlanet vision will proceed to the finals.

The five semifinalists will earn a string of meetings with 25 Israeli mentors, and one of those start-ups will represent Israel in the international SmartCamp competition in November, where it will compete against those start-ups who win the Boston, London, Stockholm, San Francisco, Dublin and other competitions around the world.

Panoramic Power, based out of Kidron, has past the first round of qualifications. The company was founded by Dr. David Almagor, who was the founder and CEO of Mysticom Semiconductor (which, in turn, raised over $50 million before it was sold to Transwitch), and by Adi Shamir, a former executive at AeroScout.

Panoramic Power develops a hardware and software platform which, using wireless sensors, will allow large organization to install Smart Grid technology over existing infrastructure in the organization. Their future solutions are supposed to allow the organization to track the energy consumption of individual appliances, predict future electrical consumption and assist the organization in energy conservartion. Panoramic Power’s future platform is supposed to provide the basis for additional SmartGrid applications which will deal with energy conservation, energy load division, calculating energy costs and more.

If you’re interested in following the SmartCamp elimination process, and be the first to find out who the next start-up to move on is, check back on StartUpMania or the SmartCamp Israel website this thursday, May 20th.

Translated by Itai Rosenbaum

It is only in rare cases when a start-up manages to provide an IT solution better than the experienced providers and cause a real paradigm shift. When it happens, however, it can lead to a great success.

Security start-up Palo Alto Networks, which was founded by Nir Zuk along with two leaders in the global firewall industry and enjoys an investment by Checkpoint founder Shlomo Kramer, is attacking the field of enterprise network firewalls, a traditional IT field which is ruled by security giants such as Checkpoint, Juniper Networks, Cisco and McAfee, and offers its clients the “next generation of firewalls” (already termed NGWF).

Now, try and imagine the face of Checkpoint’s sales manager in San Francisco, when the security managers of several big clients ask him to analyze and secure, in real time, some of the dangerous scenarios involving their users against third-party applications on Facebook, MySpace or any other HTTP service.

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

Viola Private Equity

MobileAccess is a provider of infrastructure solutions for cellular and wireless coverage inside buildings. MobileAccess provides solutions for active cellular infrastucture that is capable of transferring a large number of services from several different providers, WIFI capabilities alongside cellular coverage and even a combined solution for wireless medical  monitoring services, meant to support medical checks on patients wirelessly.

“MobileAccess is the a technological leader in an attractive and growing market and is well set to enjoy the significant growth in information applications and the use of smart phones as a significant working tool. Mobility is becoming a necessary tool and thus, broadband coverage is needed anywhere, anytime,” said Totah.

Beit-On added that “MobileAcess has systematically shown leadership and innovation in the wireless industry. We believe the launch of MobileAccessVE, which allows in-building network layout over existing infrastructure, is a breakthrough solution that significantly lowers wireless costs inside buildings, and will send the company on a growth spurt.”

“Over 1500 business clients around the world utilize MobileAcess’ solutions to run their activities and answer their clients’ needs,” mentions Ron Kaiser, MobileAccess president and CEO. “The quick expansion of wireless networks in the workplace requires flexible cellular and wireless solutions, without limiting the applications chosen by the company. MobileAccess is capable of providing flexible solutions, easy to use which answer the technical and business needs of our clients.”

Kaiser added, “We welcome the partnership with Viola Private Equity and are sure that the Viola tema will fulfill an important role in the international growth and expansion of MobileAccess.”

This is the fourth investment of Viola Private Equity, which manages about $164 million. Its previous investments included Amiad Filtration Systems, Aeronautics and Orad Hi-Tec Systems.

Translated by Itai Rosenbaum

The America-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) is holding the ninth annual Eagle Star awards. In preparation for the ceremony, which is meant to aim a spotlight at the people and companies who most contributed to business between Israel and the south-western U.S., the AICC announced the finalists for the “Company of the Year” and “Business Deal of the Year” awards.

According to AICC, three companies will compete for the title of “Company of the Year”: Jacada, Given Imaging and ooVoo. Three more companies will compete for 2009’s “Business Deal of the Year”: Pluristem Therapeutics, Odysii and SeerGate.

The winner will be announced on May 12th, as part of the Eagle Star awards ceremony.

According to AICC reports, SeerGate, an Israeli start-up with offices in Ra’anana and a daughter company in Atlanta, has reached the finals after signing a strategic agreement with IBT to launch its Secured Lock System product. SeerGate’s system allows to make electronic inter-bank payments for IBT’s clients in real time.

The agreement allows SeerGate access to over 200 US banks and an insertion to the small business financial market, that deals mostly in checks and cash and is estimated at roughly a trillion dollars. The system will allow banks who are IBT clients to improve the quality of their services and their availability to the client will be direct and instant, client will also be able to enjoy additional incomes and guarantee their clients satisfaction.

Among the judges chosen to pick the prize winners are Stephen Flemming – VP of economic development at Georgia Tech, Robin Spartlin – economic development for Georgia Electric Company and John Yeats - techonology partner at Morris, Manning & Martin.

In addition to the “Company of the Year” and “Business Deal of the Year”, the AICC will present the “Chamber of Commerce Founder’s Award” to former AICC chairman Lorry Olivier from the Veritas venture capital fun, and the “Community Partner” award to the economic consulate of Israel and the south-wester US.

The event will be howsted by Shaila Veidman, CEO of Georgia Pacific, Dr. Yossi Vardi and Darryl Pinski, CEO of Crown Diamond.

Translated by Itai Rosenbaum

I am proud to announce that IBM has chosen the People & Computers group, StartUpMania and the chief science office as its Israeli partners in its IBM Global Entrepreneur Initiative – a program to locate new, brilliant start-ups who wish to patcitipate in the Smarter Planet initiative. The initiative is a global one, in which IBM strives to make life on Earth more convenient, cleaner, healthier and less costly, all through usage of countless data-mining technologies, data analysis and applications that will integrate into all major computing solutions that run our lives.

Within the Smarter Planet initiative, IBM will run a start-up competition called SmartCamp in seven major cities around the world: Tel Aviv, Boston, London, San Francisco, Paris, Dublin and Stockholm. Through this contest we will try and locate the Israeli start-ups most fitting to join the larger framework of Smarter Planet solutions IBM will offer around the world.

Which start-up solutions fit this program?

The simple answer is – lots. It doesn’t matter if you’re developing photo identification technologies, water saving, electricity consumption, location-based applications or special sensors which are installed under sidewalks to measure pedestrian traffic. Any information applications that can add to the general picture fits within the Smarter Planet framework.

Take into account that every year, consumers waste over 170 billion kilowatts an hour due to inadequate information on global electricity consumption, or that traffic jams in the US are costing the American economy about $78 billion, and this last bit of information does not include costs resulting from air pollution damages. Any technology which thinks outside the box can ease the problem or possibly even fix it.

IBM believes that a piece of software that can collect all this information from all over the planet, and use this information for analysis, improvement and directing both consumers and providers in real time, can make a significant change to the global landscape in how the world is run, as well as many other fields.

If you have an idea, technology or product that can help this large-scoped initiative, or integrate in one of the points on the way, and are a young company (under 3 years) you are eligible to compete within SmartCamp.

Click here to view the embedded video.

When is all of this happening?

Sign-ups for the Israeli phase of SmartCamp are now underway, and you are welcomed to make contact with IBM Israel’s GTU to see if you are indeed eligible for the competition.

The Israeli finals will be held on June 24^th, in a special event attended by stand-out investors, potential strategic partners, managers at IBM, and senior managers of the organizations which require the Smarter Planet solutions.

If you are sensor-developing start-up, or one with advanced analytical capabilities or applications based on real-time information – these are your potential customers: ranging from large government organization, to large companies in the transportation industry, medicine, energy, TelCo and countless other sects. The five companies that will reach the finals will work with 25 senior mentors IBM has recruited to help as much as humanely possible.

On the day of the event, and after the finalists’ presentation, the winning start-up will be crowned, and they will enter an 3-month work period with IBM experts towards the global phase of the competition to be held in Dublin on November. There, the Israeli winner will compete against the winning start-ups from the six other cities chosen for the program.

The company who will win the final in Dublin will be crowned “World’s Smartest Start-Up”. Of course, my end-goal in all this is to have the company who wins the gloabl title be an Israeli start-up. The competition may be stiff, but I believe we have a pretty good shot.

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So, if you are technological entrepreneurs, and think you may have something to offer the program, now or in the future, we are all set to do this. if you run or are set to run to operate an environmental information gathering sensor (video, sound, location, temperature and more) or preform advanced analysis on data with innovative application possibilities on existing software products then you most likely fit the bill.

Please input your prelimanery contact information if you are interested in hearing more details and entering the program, and we will get you in touch with IBM’s start-up locating team.

It should be noted that the collaboration is completely free and will provide plenty of exposure and business opportunities.

I hope to see you on that finalist stage in June 24^th, and may the best Israeli start-up win.

Ramat-Gan based

Currently in beta, the marketplace offers relevant add-ons, applications and solutions to any and all aspects in the video field. Features such as immersion, transcoding, management, metadata pulling, SEO, advertising, monetization and statistics.

Among the technological partners and developers who have already signed up to Kaltura’s marketplace are Adap.tv, PLYmedia, Tabula, Artvision, Tremor Media, TubeMogul, MindTouch, HD Cloud, VideoMarket7, Awoga, rtCamp, 3PlayMedia, encoding.com, TikiWiki, Microstudy and more.

“We are very excited about Kaltura Exchange, as it marks a real change in he way we build and use video applications,” said Ron Yakutiel, Kaltura’s CEO and Chairman. “Our open source platform is the glue which holds together innovations from around the world into one accessible and flexible package. I’m happy to see which amazing things we can built with this new lego framework for online video.”

Shay David

“With its online video framework, Kaltura has shifted he life cycle of application development into something easy and profitable,” says Shay David, VP of business development and community development at Kaltura. “Kaltura Exchange allows the creation of a simple market in which advertisers can find new applications and services which improve their video experience, and developers and service providers can move their applications along and generate income. Kaltura brings the power of development to the video world, in a similar way to what SalesForce did to the CRM world and the iPhone did to the world of mobile phones. This is a significant moment to the online video platform.”

The Kaltura Exchange application is divided into several categories, such as graphic design, language packages, player add-ons, programming language libraries, widgets as well as stand-alone applications. Sample applications in the Exchange includesPlayMedia’s titleing and mark-up application, Adap.tv’s advertising application, a Jumla add-on, a Google analytics app, TubeMogul’s syndication app and more. Many of the apps are free, and include the source code – so that developers can choose whether or not to charge a service or usage charge where it’s relevant.

If you’d like to join the Kaltura Exchange – just head over to this link.

Translated by Itai Rosenbaum