A Web-based portal will be launched this month that uses three-dimensional interactive "maps" to illustrate Georgia's bio- and high-tech industries as one of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's initiatives to establish a worldwide reputation for the state as a technology hub.  Designed by Atlanta-based GeoSpatial Metrics and Ramat Gan-based D&A Hi-Tech Information, the portal includes all current Web-based information about Georgia's more than 3,000 technology companies and directs it into industry-focused categories so that a visitor can access information based on his or her needs.

"The portal is a basis for showing the world what an innovative center we already are and bringing the capital and talent here that are necessary for Atlanta to grow," said David Hartnett, the Metro Chamber's vice president of technology.  The Web portal was demonstrated last month at the initial meeting of the Chamber's new Technology Marketing Council that was attended by 200 leaders of the technology community.

Once visitors choose what type of bio- or high-tech company they want to learn more about, video-game-like imagery allows them to soar over a virtual metro Atlanta until they find the physical location of their chosen inquiry.  Detailed company profiles and logos may appear, and some businesses will even have links to commercial-like videos shot by Atlanta production company Event Streams.  The effort is designed to create a buzz around Atlanta's technology industry and attract venture capitalists and emerging talent to the city.

GeoSpatial and D&A Hi-Tech began working together to develop the Web portal after meeting each other during a trade mission to Israel in November, organized by the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Region.  Hartnett was a co-leader of the mission.

 
Source: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange 

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is close to breaking through a psychological barrier.  The Tel Aviv 25 stock price index (the most closely watched index, covering the 25 stocks with the highest market value), which was affected -- negatively -- only briefly by the outbreak of war in July 2006, has been reaching new peaks ever since, and now, in early February 2007, is less than 3% below the unprecedented level of 1000.

The ongoing boom in Israeli stock prices -- now in its fourth year -- is a reflection of the growth process in the Israeli economy that began in mid-2003.  Since stock prices are generally considered to be a leading indicator -- that is, they give advance warning of macro-economic developments, the accelerated increase from mid-January 2007 and the approach to the level of 1000 seems to indicate that economic growth in Israel will continue in 2007.  And indeed, forecasts point to this happening, with expected Israeli economic growth this year a part of the optimistic picture for the global economy as a whole.

It is worth noting that in 2006, the increase in stock prices was less than in the previous two years: the Tel Aviv 25 index increased last year by "only" 12.4%, compared to 34.3% in 2005 and 22.6% in 2004.  This slowdown in stock price increases took place despite the fact that financial investment from abroad (mostly in stocks) jumped considerably -- to $8 billion from $4.7 billion in 2005, as part of the overall dramatic increase in foreign investment in Israel last year.  In other words, foreign investors seem to be more optimistic than Israeli investors about the future of the Israeli economy in general and the Israeli stock exchange in particular (a similar dichotomy between foreign and Israeli investors in 2006 also characterizes venture capital investment in Israeli hi-tech companies in 2006: the major part of the increase in this investment last year was by foreign VC funds).

Data have not yet been published on foreign financial investment in early 2007, so we have no means of knowing whether a continuing increase in this investment was a factor behind the positive stock price developments in January-February 2007.  In any event, if the Tel Aviv 25 index soon breaks through the psychological level of 1000, this in itself could work magic for continuing prosperity in the Israel stock market.

Provided as a service to AICC by I-Biz -- Israel Business Information Services Ltd.  For more information on I-Biz information services, visit www.i-biz.co.il or contact info@i-biz.co.il.

• Caesaria-based Mazor Surgical Technologies is expanding its US headquarters in the Gwinnett Innovation Park in metropolitan Atlanta.  Having secured FDA approval, Mazor is aggressively rolling out its SpineAssist product to leading hospitals on the East Coast from its new location.  Jerusalem-based CatchMedia established a facility in the Gwinnett Innovation Park in 2005.
• IBM's Haifa development lab helped develop the cell broadband engine chip controller that powers the PlayStation 3 console,  introduced by Sony-Toshiba in November that sold 197,000 units on the first day and one million within the first six weeks.  The lab also played an important role in the verification process of the cell.
• Research Triangle Park, NC-based Learning Machine Inc. has been appointed North Carolina distributor by Vigorous Mind of Mindfit, a leading brain training software product developed by Yokneam-based CogniFit.  The product will be marketed to HMO's, assisted living facilities, health clubs, and senior centers throughout the state.
• Yokneam-based Mellanox raised $102 million on Nasdaq last week at a $510 million valuation.  The IPO attracted attention due to its fairly high value as well as the company's technology that develops semiconductor-based interconnect chips for boosting connectivity between enterprise IT resources. 
• The 2007 Super Bowl benefited from Israeli technology through the behavior pattern recognition program of New Age Security Solutions that was originally developed for Ben Gurion Airport and has now been adopted by five other major US airports.  Wireless communications for media coverage at the 2008 Super Bowl has been awarded to Lod-based MobileAccess.
• IBM has announced collaboration with Ra'anana-based Amdocs to help telecommunications service providers cope with changes in the industry to meet intensified convergence, consolidation, and competition in the marketplace.  The companies will provide next-generation business support and operations systems, including customer, revenue, service, and resource management.  Separately, IBM will also collaborate with Israeli Caesaria-based CeRoma to jointly develop, manufacture, and market a new processor for digital media applications. 
• Haim Shani, CEO of Ra'anana-based NICE Systems, has been named Hi-tech CEO of the Year by the Israel Management Center.  Criteria included proven, long-term management achievements, business leadership, technological innovation, sales growth, and increase in the market as well as proven contribution to the community.
• Israel ranks third in the world behind only California and Massachusetts in the level of 2006 hi-tech investments, according to Ernst & Young.  $1.4 billion was invested last year, an increase of 13% over 2005. 
• The Lebanon war in mid-2006 cut Israel's GDP by 0.5%, half the preliminary estimate of a loss of 1%, according to the Bank of Israel.  The GDP grew by an annualized growth rate of over 5% during the fourth quarter.
• Ben Gurion Airport handled 8.8 million passengers in 2006, 4% more than 2005, according to the Israel Civil Aviation Authority.  Most of the growth was due to increases in flights and added seat capacity by foreign airlines. 
• 402 Israeli hi-tech companies raised $1.62 billion from local and foreign venture investors in 2006, 21% more than 2005 and 11% more than 2004, according to the IVC Research Center and the Israel Venture Association.