OurCrowd, a global investment crowdfunding platform, has created an innovation bridge connecting Israel and Australia / New Zealand. The comments come during the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Be’er Sheva by the Australia New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC), and a visit to Israel by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and New Zealand Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy. The delegation to Israel included 4000 dignitaries in recognition of the important relationship between the countries.
OurCrowd CEO Jon Medved commented;
“While Australia and New Zealand may seem far away, the Aussies and Kiwis have come in massive numbers this week, and they are always close to our hearts. The people of Israel owe an enormous historical debt to the courageous ANZAC horsemen who helped enable Israel’s rebirth 100 years ago. Today this proud tradition lives on in the bold investors who are working with us to pioneer the next generation of technology and innovation.”
OurCrowd Australian / New Zealand & Israeli Collaborative Efforts to date include:
- Since OurCrowd entered the Australian market in 2014, it has positioned itself as a leading provider to the local market of global alternative investment opportunities. The platform is home to over 2,000 Australian accredited investors, with over $100 million dollars raised in the region.
- Vector, New Zealand’s largest electrical and natural gas energy tech company has expanded its “Internet of Energy” relationship with OurCrowd portfolio company mPrest, by collaborating on an energy platform solution and investing in and reselling mPrest software in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Both companies also Signed a Contract to Bring “Internet of Energy” to Over a Million Customers in May of this year.
- In 2016, OurCrowd helped to raise the $50 million “Our Innovation Australian Fund,”set up by the founder of systems integration giant Dimension Data Australia, David Shein, alongside former Investec Bank chair and OurCrowd Advisory Board Chairman, Geoff Levy. The early stage venture capital limited partnership (ESVCLP) targets the early stage sector in Australia that will benefit from capital gains and tax programs associated with investing in Aussie startups.
- In June 2017, the National Australia Bank Private (NAB) and OurCrowd announced a first of its kind Australian collaboration, providing NAB clients direct access to investment opportunities on the OurCrowd platform.
Chairman of the OurCrowd Advisory Board Geoff Levy said it has been a pleasure to be involved with a high quality cohort participating in the OurCrowd Australia Delegation coinciding with such a significant time in ANZAC’s history.
“These delegates will help forge stronger commercial connections between Australia, New Zealand the USA and Israel. Introducing the best of Israel’s innovation, technology and thought leadership to first time visitors to Israel will be a real thrill.”
Dan Bennett, Managing Director, OurCrowd Australia and Asia, addd;
“Like the ANZACs led a charge one-hundred years ago in Israel, Australian investment is helping shape a next generation of frontier innovation. We have brought this handpicked group to Israel to introduce them to Israel’s inspiring and vibrant tech scene and highlight the opportunity for these companies to partner with Australian corporates and investors.”
OurCrowd has brought to Israel a high-level investor delegation, which includes family offices, corporate representatives and leading business leaders. This delegation includes more than 30 investors from Australia, Hong Kong, the U.S. and New Zealand. The investors will participate in a five-day intensive technology tour of the Startup Nation, meeting dozens of companies and exploring investment opportunities.
