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Insights & News / Ariella Dreyfuss

Imputed Value on Usage of Company Car as Income during Swords of Iron War

As a rule, employers in Israel that provide company cars for their employees’ use must attribute income to those employees in accordance with the imputed value of the use of the car prescribed in the Income Tax Regulations. Moreover, even if the car was in the employee’s possession for only part of the month, employers must attribute income to the employees for the full imputed value of the use of the car. However, the Israel Tax Authority has issued new special instructions because of the Swords of Iron War.

Barnea: Hosting Femtech Event

Ariella Dreyfuss and Inbar Gorelick participated in a femtech event hosted by our firm. As part of the event, Ariella lectured on founders’ agreements and Inbar on intellectual property.

Categories: Corporate

Swords of Iron: Compensation Outline for Businesses Law

After lengthy discussions, the Knesset approved a wartime compensation outline for businesses. The outline offers compensation of up to a maximum of ILS 1.2 million to businesses with annual turnovers ranging between ILS 12,000 and ILS 400 million.

Ruling: Pre-Sale Dividend Distribution to Reduce Tax Liability

Legitimate tax planning or an artificial transaction to reduce tax liability? Israeli court ruling on a dividend distribution prior to a sale of shares or holdings of a company.

Tax Reliefs – Operation Swords of Iron

The Israel Tax Authority is publishing a series of tax reliefs to help companies and individuals and the current defense and civilian efforts.

Israeli High-Tech: “Angels Law” Grants Tax Benefits to Investors

Israel’s new "Angels Law" grants tax benefits to investors in Israeli startups, and in the Israeli high-tech industry in general, with the goal of spurring the growth of high-tech companies based in Israel or whose intellectual property is registered in Israel.

Hosting a Delegation of Entrepreneurs from Mexico

We hosted a delegation of entrepreneurs from Mexico, who arrived in Israel to learn about investment opportunities in the Israeli high-tech market. As part of the delegation’s visit, Ariella Dreyfuss lectured on the legal aspects of doing business in Israel.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Investments

Azrieli Group to Sell Stake in Compass Data Centers for ILS 3.2 Billion

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss has been representing Azrieli in its ongoing investments in the data centers field. Following its 2019 acquisition of 20% of Compass for USD 135 million, Azrieli announced yesterday an agreement for the sale of Compass to Brookfield Infrastructure. Compass Data Centers is one of the largest developers of data centers in the world. 

Categories: Corporate | Mergers and Acquisitions

Earn-Outs – Ariella Dreyfuss Op-Ed for CTECH

CTECH by Calcalist has published an op-ed by Ariella Dreyfuss, a partner in our International Corporate Department. Ariella explains that earn-outs are becoming an established tool for compromising on a company’s valuation.

Categories: Corporate | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Determining Intellectual Property Value for Israeli Tax Purposes during a Sale between Related Parties

A sale of intellectual property between related parties requires advance planning and preparation in order to avoid tax exposures in Israel.

Barnea: Representing Convent Capital in its Investment in BeeHero

Our firm represented Convent Capital, a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, in a USD 42 million funding round in BeeHero. The Israeli startup BeeHero is developing a platform for bee pollination and owns the largest database of bees and pollen in the world. 

 

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Barnea Represented Mouro Capital in USD 80 Million Investment in Vesttoo

Ariella Dreyfuss  represented Mouro Capital as the lead investor in an USD 80 million Series C financing round in the Israeli insurtch startup Vesttoo. The investment was based on a company valuation of USD 1 billion. 

Categories: Corporate

Representing the NFT GameChain in Its USD 24 Million A Round

We represented the Israeli crypto and NFT startup GameChain (UnCaged Studio) in raising USD 24 million as part of a series A round.

The round was led by Griffin Gaming Partners and was joined by Vgames, Maverick Ventures Israel, MaxStealth, Drive by DraftKings, and 6th Man Ventures.

Zvi Gabbay, Ariella Dreyfuss, Andrey Yanai and Tal Freilich provided representation in the transaction.

 

 

Categories: Corporate

Proud to Represent Cibus Fund in Biotech Company Investment

Barnea represented Cibus Fund in an investment in Phytolon, a biotech company that develops fermentation-based natural food colors.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech

Barnea Represents Azrieli in Data Center Acquisition

We represented Azrieli Group in the acquisition of a London data center operator for GBP 52 million. The acquisition is part of Azrieli's expansion in the data center sector. Ariella Dreyfuss, Mayer Winkler, and Tal Freilich provided representation in the transaction.

Categories: Corporate

Migdal Group invests in Scandinavian energy

Migdal Group has invested, together with other partnerships, in the alternative energy projects of Fu-Gen AG and Fu-Gen Assets 4 AB. Firm partners Micky Barnea, Ariella Dreyfuss, and Roy Engel advised on the NIS 1 billion investment.

 

Warburg Pincus Leads Funding Round in Israeli Digital Health Startup MDClone

We were delighted to represent the global private equity firm Warburg Pincus in its investment in the Israeli Healthcare Data Analysis company MDClone.

Advs. Ariella Dreyfuss, Tal Freilich and Anat Even-Chen advised on this transaction.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Investment Funds | Mergers and Acquisitions

Shift 4 Acquires Israeli Clearing Technology Company Finaro

Shift4 Payments, an American public company, has acquired Finaro for a value of USD 575 million.

 

Advs. Simon Jaffa, Ariella Dreyfuss, Mayer Winkler, Harel Perlmutter, Hanna Daher, and Fadi Atallah advised on the transaction.

 

Categories: Corporate | FinTech | High Tech | Mergers and Acquisitions

Representing Shareholders in Startup's Acquisition by Vontier

We represented Inven Capital, Volvo Group Venture Capital, and Ombu Group in the sale of their shares in Driivz to Vontier, a global mobility company.

Simon Jaffa, Ariella Dreyfuss, Harel Perlmutter, and Fadi Atallah from our office advised on the transaction.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Mergers and Acquisitions | Tax

A Share Deal or An Asset Deal in Israeli Mergers & Acquisitions?

You have identified an Israeli target company to purchase. Now the question is – how to structure the acquisition? There are two traditional routes in Israeli private M&A transactions. The first is to purchase the shares of the target company, and the second is to purchase its assets. Each structure has benefits and disadvantages for the purchaser.

 

Representing Mouro Capital in Investment in Vesttoo

We represented Mouro Capital in its USD 8 million equity investment in the Israeli tech insurance startup Vesttoo, as part of its role as the lead investor in the company's USD 16 million Series B round. Ariella Dreyfuss represented Mouro Capital in the deal.

Categories: Corporate | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions | Start Ups

Representing Inomize in Transaction with Facebook (Meta)

We served as legal counsel for Inomize, an Israeli developer and manufacturer of electronic components, in its acquisition by Facebook. The acquisition is by way of acquiring the know-how and experience of Inomize’s employees. Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss led the deal. Advs. Netta Bromberg and Jacki Silbermann advised on the employment matters.

Categories: Corporate | M&A employment issues | Mergers and Acquisitions

Representing Reef Technology in Acquisition of Israeli Startup Bond

We advised Reef Technology, one of the largest operators of mobility, logistics hubs, and neighborhood kitchens in the United States, on its acquisition of the Israeli logistics startup Bond, which was initially founded as Shookit, a direct-to-consumer grocery startup that delivered fresh produce to clients in the city within hours. The deal was led by Advs. Michael Barnea, Ariella Dreyfuss, and Tal Freilich. Netta Bromberg advised on the employment side. Harel Perlmutter and Hanna Daher advised on the tax side. Anat Even-Chen advised on data privacy and security and other regulatory matters.

Categories: Corporate | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Representing GAP Inc. in Acquisition of Israeli Startup

Our firm advised the fashion giant GAP in its first significant acquisition of an Israeli technology startup. As part of the acquisition, CB4’s team will join Gap as full-time employees. Advs. Simon Jaffa and Ariella Dreyfuss represented the US clothing and accessories retailer. Advs. Netta Bromberg and Jacki Silbermann advised on the employment matters arising from the deal.

Categories: Corporate | Employment | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Representing Niio in Strategic Partnership and Financing Agreement with Samsung

Our office has served as legal counsel for Niio, a unique digital art platform, since its establishment. The startup recently completed a USD 15 million fundraising round. Firm partners Simon Jaffa and Ariella Dreyfuss also represented Niio in a strategic partnership and financing agreement with Samsung Display, which will exhibit on hundreds of its frames the digital artwork Niio offers.

Categories: Corporate | Investments | Start Ups

Representing RSBG in USD 140 Million Sale of Cybersecurity Company’s Shares to LG

Barnea represented RSBG Ventures GmbH in the USD 140 million sale of its shares in the Israeli cybersecurity company Cybellum Technologies Ltd., as part an acquisition of a majority stake (65%) in the company by LG Electronics Inc. Firm partners Simon Jaffa and Ariella Dreyfuss led RSBG’s role in the transaction.

Categories: Corporate | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Representing Azrieli Group in NIS 2.8 Billion Acquisition of Norwegian Data Center Company

Our firm represented Azrieli Group, the largest income-producing real estate company in Israel, in a share purchase transaction of the Norwegian company 'Green Mountain' for NIS 2.8 billion. The Norwegian company operates three server farms in Norway and holds contracts with a total volume of 24 megawatts.

Categories: Corporate | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Representing Azrieli Group in Franchise Agreement with AllSaints

Our firm represented Azrieli Group in the acquisition of the franchise for leading British fashion brand AllSaints. Firm partner Ariella Dreyfuss represented the client in the franchise agreement. The first store will be launched in August 2021.

Categories: Corporate

Representing Migdal in Investment in Fintech Company Sunbit

The fintech company Sunbit, which has developed an AI-based technology that enables personalized payment options, raised USD 130 million in a series D financing round led by Group 11, Zeev Ventures, and Migdal Insurance.

 

Our firm's Micky Barnea and Ariella Dreyfuss represented Migdal in the transaction.

Categories: Corporate | FinTech | Investment Funds | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Representing Migdal in NIS Millions Investment in Behalf

Our firm represented Migdal in a financing round worth millions of shekels in Behalf, a startup that provides alternative financing solutions to B2B companies. The client was represented by Micky Barnea, Ariella Dreyfuss, and Daniel Arbov.

Categories: Investments | Start Ups

A Startup’s First Steps

Ariella Dreyfuss lectured to early-stage Israeli and Palestinian entrepreneurs as part of the 50:50 Startups tech accelerator in Jerusalem.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

TipRanks Completes USD 77 Million Funding Round

Israel-based fintech company TipRanks announced today the completion of a USD 77 million funding round led by Prytek and Mor Investment House. Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss represented TipRanks in the round. TipRanks currently has 60 employees located mostly in Tel Aviv. With the new investment, the company plans to double its workforce and open offices in New York.

Categories: Corporate | FinTech | High Tech | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Dentsply Sirona Acquires Datum Dentel Ltd.

We represented Datum BioTech Ltd and its non-wholly owned subsidiary, Datum Dental Ltd, an Israeli company that develops medical devices for the mouth and jaw, in its sale to American company Dentsply Sirona. Advs. Micky Barnea and Ariella Dreyfuss advised the client throughout the deal.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Investments | Life Sciences | Mergers and Acquisitions

The Secrets of Successful Fundraising

Ariella Dreyfuss lectured today to a group of Israeli medtech startups participating in the Hadassah Accelerator (powered by IBM Alpha Zone). The lecture was on the secrets behind fundraising. 

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Negotiating Leaver and Vesting Provisions on Venture Capital Deals

As part of a comprehensive guide prepared by Humphreys Law Ltd on leaver and vesting provisions, Ariella Dreyfuss contributed her perspective on the Israeli market.

Categories: Corporate

Barnea represented Knorr-Bremse in its acquisition of an additional 19.8% of Rail Vision

Adv. Simon Jaffa and Ariella Dreyfuss represented Knorr-Bremse, the German global market leader for braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles in its US$10 million investment in the Israeli railway safety company Rail Vision.

Categories: Corporate | Investments

Ariella Dreyfuss to Serve as Judge for IBM Alpha Zone Pitch Day

The IBM Accelerator Pitch Day will be held today. As part of the event, entrepreneurs will present their ideas to a panel of experts. Ariella Dreyfuss will serve on the judges' panel at the event

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

Barnea Represented Cyberx Shareholder in Microsoft Acquisition

We represented Inven Capital, a Czech-based VC fund and a shareholder in Cyberx Israel, an Israeli IoT & ICS cybersecurity startup, in Cyberx's sale to Microsoft for USD 165 million. CyberX has gained tremendous customer growth, with a number of leading companies using its IoT security platform to protect their web facilities. Cyberx has raised about USD 48 million since its inception in 2013. This is Microsoft’s eighth acquisition in Israel in the last decade.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Mergers and Acquisitions | Tax

Doing Business in Israel – Practical Law

This year, we were once again responsible for preparing the QA guide on doing business in Israel for the Practical Law website. The guide provides an overview of recent key developments that have affected doing business in Israel, including the legal system, foreign investment, employment, tax, competition, privacy, IP, etc.

Categories: Banking & Finance | Capital Markets | Corporate | Employment | Internet | Regulation | Tax

First Steps for Startups: Ariella Dreyfuss Lectures at Bengis Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss lectured today on founders' agreements and raising initial funding to Faculty of Business and Management students from Ben Gurion University’s Bengis Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

Barnea Represents Surf in Sale of Video Division to Lytx

Lytx Inc., an American fleet management software developer, has acquired the video division of the Israel-based company Surf Communications, to serve as its Israeli R&D center. Surf, founded in 1996, develops multimedia digital signal processing technologies for telecommunication infrastructures. Firm partners Micky Barnea and Ariella Dreyfuss represented Surf in the deal valued at between $20-30 million.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Investments | IP and Licensing

Pi-Cardia Ltd. Raises $27 Million in Financing Round Led by Our Client Sofinnova Partners

The Israel-based global leader in the development of non-implant catheter-based solutions for treating heart valve calcification has raised $27 million in funding. The investment round was led by our client, the European life sciences venture capital firm Sofinnova Partners, with the participation of Pi-Cardia chairman Prof. Jacques Séguin and previous investors. Advs. Micky Barnea and Ariella Dreyfuss represented the client.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Investments

Ariella Dreyfuss Featured in Article on the Femtech Market

2019 was a record year for femtech (female technology), a term generally applied to a category of software, diagnostics, products, and services that use technology to focus on women’s health. As this is one of the most growing markets in recent years, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss was asked by Start-Up Nation Central to discuss the challenges and potential in the market. In an interview, Ariella commented that "femtech is essentially a palatable term, a euphemism, to describe tech products and services in the field of female health: digital health apps, consumer health tech products, and medical devices that address menstruation, menopause, fertility, breastfeeding, incontinence, contraception, and female cancers.”

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

Representing MAT Investment Holdings in Merger between Two Manufacturers of Control Valves from Kibbutz Industry

Our firm represented the Spanish multinational industrial group MAT Investment Holdings in the merger of its Israeli subsidiary Dorot Management Control Valves from Kibbutz Dorot with A.R.I. Flow Control Accessories, a company owned indirectly by Kibbutz Kfar Haruv.

Categories: Corporate | Investments | Kibbutz Sector

IBM Alpha Zone – Mentors Meet Class 10

As part of the firm's representation of the IBM Alpha Zone Accelerator, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss attended a session with participants of the new class and lectured on raising financing and investment terms.

Categories: Start Ups

Hosting British American Tobacco (BAT)

Our firm hosted today a meetup with British American Tobacco (BAT). Ariella Dreyfuss overviewed for the participants the local market and the legal challenges that exist for companies.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

Good Night 2019!

Check out some interesting developments in the Israeli high-tech sphere in 2019.

Podcast: Ariella Dreyfuss for 50inTech on Femtech

Ariella Dreyfuss talks to 50inTech in a special podcast about the growing femtech industry. She discusses challenges facing entrepreneurs in the field and offers advice on how to talk to investors.
Categories: High Tech | Life Sciences | Start Ups

Barnea Represented CryoLife in a Strategic Transaction with the Israeli Medtech Startup Endospan

Our firm represented CryoLife in a strategic transaction with Israel-based endovascular stent graft system developer Endospan. The transaction involved an option to purchase Endospan for up to USD 450 million in the future, together with an exclusive distribution arrangement and USD 15 million in secured debt financing.

 

 

Categories: High Tech | Investments | Life Sciences

Ariella Lectures at Hebrew University's TIP 2019 International Summer Program

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss lectured today to participants of Hebrew University's International Transdisciplinary Innovation program on the first legal steps of launching an initiative.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

Barnea Representing Azrieli Group in Equity Investment in Compass Datacenters LLC.

Our firm is representing Azrieli Group in its equity investment in Compass Datacenters LLC., a company engaged in the commercialization of hyperscale data centers in North America. This acquisition is part of Azrieli Group's overall expansion into real estate in the international arena.  

Categories: Corporate | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions

Femtech Meetup at Barnea

Our firm hosted today a meetup for entrepreneurs in the femtech field. Co-hosting was 50inTech, a French organization that provides a platform for women in the high-tech industry.

During the meetup, in which 25 entrepreneurs gathered, Ariella Dreyfuss delivered a brief overview of challenges, trends, and opportunities in the femtech field.

 

Categories: High Tech | Life Sciences | Start Ups

Femtech: The High-Tech Market Ignored and Then Discovered Was Worth Tens of Billions

Adv. Ariella Dreyfus, a partner in our firm who has advised startups in the femtech field, was interviewed by TheMarker for an article on the burgeoning femtech market. This market is estimated to reach a value of USD 50 billion in 2025.

Categories: High Tech | Life Sciences | Start Ups

Barnea Represented Johnson & Johnson Innovation in an Investment Round in DayTwo

Our firm represented JJDC in its follow on investment in the Israeli medtech company DayTwo, as part of a $31 million series B round.  

Categories: High Tech | Life Sciences | Start Ups

Barnea Represented Johnson & Johnson Innovation in an Investment Round in Techsomed

Micky Barnea, Ariella Dreyfuss, Itay Gura, Mayer Winkler, and Ido Freund represented Johnson & Johnson Innovation in an investment round in the Israeli medtech startup Techsomed Medical Technologies Ltd. Founded in 2012, Techsomed has developed an image analysis system that helps track tissue response to thermal ablation, the process of destroying tumors using extreme heat or cold. Techsomed intends to use the funding toward receiving regulatory approval in the US, Europe, and Japan.

 

JJDC led the company's current round of financing, which included both former and new investors, such as Screen Holdings, the Alfred Mann Institute at the Technion (AMIT), NextLeap Ventures, and Axil Capital.

Categories: High Tech | Investments | Life Sciences | Start Ups

2019: The Rise of Femtech

In the past three years, an estimated $1 billion has been invested in women’s health technology, and according to Pitchbook, femtech raised $650 million in VC funding last year alone and $241 million so far this year. Still since just around 6% of all decision-makers at U.S. venture capital firms being female, it is not surprising that it is difficult to secure funding for women’s issues.

M&A in Israel Guide 2019

Advs. Micky Barnea and Ariella Dreyfuss of the firm's Corporate Department provided a snapshot of merger and acquisition law in Israel, as published by Lexology.

Doing Business in Israel – Practical Law

Barnea's Q&A guide to doing business in Israel was published on the Practical Law website. The guide provides an overview of recent key developments that have affected doing business in Israel, including the legal system, foreign investment, regulation, employment, taxation, and IP.

IBM Alpha Zone – Mentors Meet Class 8

As part of the firm's activity with the IBM Alpha Zone Accelerator, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss participated in a session with participants of the new class and lectured on penetration into new markets.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

French Tech Tour – Healthcare Delegation

We hosted today a delegation of French startup companies from the life sciences and medtech sectors. The delegation was organized by the Embassy of France and visited Israel to learn about the local life sciences scene. During the event, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss discussed the Israeli medtech ecosystem and the legal challenges companies should be aware of.

Categories: Healthcare Regulatory | High Tech | Life Sciences | Start Ups

A Lecture: First Steps in Launching a Startup

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss lectured today at Ben-Gurion University on the first steps of launching a startup, including legal structure and what companies should avoid. The lecture is part of a course for MBA students in the Faculty of Management.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

A Lecture: Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, and Investment in Startups

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss was invited to speak in China, as an expert in the high-tech scene, as part of a course on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and investment in startups. The course was organized by the University of Geneva for students of China's Tsinghua University.

Categories: Start Ups

Warranty & Indemnity (W&I) Insurance – It’s All in the Name

Sellers in an M&A transaction are required to make certain statements about the company they are selling. If these statements are not true, the buyer can claim against the seller for any damages it incurs as a result of the inaccuracies. W&I insurance can cover the cost (or part of the cost) of the buyer’s damages.

IBM Alpha Zone 8th Class Selection

Our firm participated in the selection process for the 8th class of the IBM Alpha Zone accelerator.

Categories: High Tech | Life Sciences | Start Ups

Female Lawyers Leading M&A Transactions for High-Tech Companies

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss is featured in an article on TheMarker about female lawyers who have led merger and acquisition transactions for high-tech companies. Ariella is mentioned as the partner who led the Viola Private Equity investment in SimilarWeb.

Categories: High Tech

Barnea Represented JJDC as the Lead Investor in OrthoSpin Ltd.

Our firm represented the US pharmaceutical and medical devices company Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC) in a USD 3 million lead investment round in OrthoSpin Ltd. OrthoSpin is an Israeli-based startup that provides smart robotic external fixation systems.

Categories: High Tech | Investments | Life Sciences | Start Ups

Barnea Represented ADM Capital in Investment in Israeli Startup Rootility

Barnea represented ADM Capital, a UK-based investment fund, in an investment round in the Israeli plant-breeding startup Rootility.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions | Start Ups

IFLR 2018 M&A Israel Report

A report on the M&A market in Israel was written by Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss and published on the international IFLR 1000 ranking guide's website. The report analyzes the trends and developments in the M&A market in Israel.

Categories: Corporate | Investments

Ariella Dreyfuss mentoring at the IBM's Alpha Zone Pitch Day

As part of our cooperation with IBM Alpha Zone Accelerator,  Ariella Dreyfuss will  mentor today at the IBM Alpha Zone Accelerator's 7th Class Pitch Day, where participating startups have the opportunity to present to industry leaders and receive relevant feedback.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

Johnson Cornell Tech Institute Boot Camp

We are hosting today together with Enterprise Florida a delegation of students from the Johnson Cornell Tech for a presentation session with venture capitalists. Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss, a partner in our Corporate Department, will participate in the session.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

First Steps for Startups: Ariella Dreyfuss to Lecture at the Bengis Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss will lecture today at the Ben-Gurion University Innovation Program on the topics of founders' agreements, IP, and investment agreements.

Categories: High Tech | Intellectual Property | Start Ups

Goodnight 2017…

It has certainly been an interesting 2017 in the Israeli Hi-Tech world, here is a rundown of 5 highlights, in case you missed them.

Barnea & Co. Represented EXO Technologies in Acquisition by Lear

Barnea represented Israeli startup EXO Technologies, a developer of GPS technology for autonomous and connected vehicle applications, in its acquisition by the American corporation Lear.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Investments | Mergers and Acquisitions | Start Ups

Barnea & Co. represents HP in its acquisition of Samsung Electronics Co. Printer Business

HP Inc. completed its acquisition of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.’s printer business in a deal valued at $1.05 billion. HP Inc. was represented by Barnea

Categories: High Tech | Intellectual Property

Hosting a Delegation of Chinese Executives

We are hosting today a delegation of senior executives from large enterprises across a variety of industries in China. These executives have come to Israel to learn about Israeli innovation and entrepreneurship.

Categories: Corporate

Article to The Times of Israel on the "Drag along Provision"

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss, Partner at Barnea contributed an article to The Times of Israel on the "drag along provision" included in most investment documents. Ariella outlines five tips for minority shareholders looking to ensure the drag along mechanism works for them when negotiating investments.

Categories: Corporate | Start Ups

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss to lecture at HUstart - The Hebrew University Entrepreneurship Center

As part of our cooperation with HUstart, The Hebrew University Entrepreneurship Center, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss will speak today to the participants of its TIP (Trans-disciplinary Innovation Program). Ariella’s lecture will focus on the legal aspects of raising initial financing.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss to lecture at the Bengis Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss will lecture today to the participants of the international program of the Ben-Gurion University Innovation Program on the topics of founder agreements, IP and investment agreements.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech

Barnea & Co. represented Johnson & Johnson regarding its investment in the startup, DayTwo

Barnea represented Johnson & Johnson in respect of its investment of USD 12 million in the startup, DayTwo, which provides personalized nutrition recommendations based on mapping and analyzing the composition of intestinal bacteria.

Categories: Corporate | Mergers and Acquisitions | Start Ups

Big Data, Big Legal Minefield

The speed in which vast and complex “bits” can now be processed is staggering. This information is being collected, stored and analyzed to drive efficiency and create actionable intelligence – translating into increased revenues. In short, in today’s world data is power.  

Big Data, Big Legal Minefield

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss in an article in Globes Dun's 100 discussing the legal minefields to be avoided when engaged in big data technologies.

Categories: High Tech | Start Ups

Tel Aviv University Innovation Conference

For the second year, Barnea is taking part in the Tel Aviv University Innovation Conference. In the framework of the conference, Micky Barnea, will lecture on the subject of the legal challenges entailed in late staged startups and will judge in the competition final with other mentors from Shazam, Prezi, Capsula, Strauss Group and IAI.Adv. Yuval Lazi and Ariella Dreyfuss, will judge in the start-up competition in the Fintech, Gaming and IoT sectors. Yuval Lazi will also participate in a panel discussion on funding a start-up, together with a representative of the Office of the Chief Scientist, Tau Ventures' CEO and the CEO of "Cockpit", El-Al's start-up support program.

Categories: FinTech | Gaming | High Tech | Start Ups

Ariella Dreyfuss to participate in a legal panel for non-native Hebrew speakers

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss, Partner at Barnea will lecture today at the Radzyner Law School in IDC Herzliya, as part of the tutoring program Olim Le’Mishpatim, which aims at providing non-native Hebrew speakers with extra lessons in legal courses.

Barnea & Co. Represented Viola Private Equity in an Investment in Similar Web

Barnea represented Viola Private Equity in an investment of USD 50 million in Similar Web, a leading digital market intelligence platform that provides insights for websites and applications.

Categories: Corporate | Corporate Finance | Privacy Law | Start Ups

Event at Barnea with the UK Israel Tech Hub

Barnea together with the UK Israel Tech Hub are hosting today a delegation from the UK, who will be visiting Israel for the first time in order to look for investment and cooperation opportunities, mainly in the Mobility field.

Categories: High Tech | Infrastructure

Innovation Cocktail Event Hosted Together with the Israel-South Africa Chamber of Commerce

Barnea, together with the Israel-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, is hosting today a cocktail event to promote networking between South African businessmen living in Israel and Israeli businessmen.

Categories: Private Clients

Doing Business in Israel – Practical Law

Doing Business in Israel? A Q&A guide to doing business in Israel written by Barnea was published in the Practical Law website. The guide gives an overview of the legal system, foreign investment, regulation, and other issues pertaining to Israel.

Categories: Antitrust and Competition | Corporate | E-commerce | Employment | High Tech | Intellectual Property | Tax

8 Things that Happened in the Israeli Hi-Tech World in 2016

It has been an interesting 2016 in the Israeli Hi-Tech world, here is a rundown of 8 things that happened, in case you missed them.

Convertible Notes

Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss, Partner at Barnea in an article on Convertible Notes. According to Ariella, Convertible notes are an attractive instrument for investors, they can also be advantageous to entrepreneurs and if drafted correctly should balance the interests of both parties.

Categories: Start Ups

Cross Border Mergers and Acquisitions 2016 - Virtual Roundtable

Corporate Live Wire held a Cross border Mergers and Acquisitions roundtable featured experts from around the world, including Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss. The chosen experts discussed regulatory changes, legislative precedent, challenges and opportunities as well as key trends and latest developments.

Categories: Corporate

Barnea & Co. Represented the Private Equity Fund IGP Investment in Jacada

Barnea represented Israel Growth Partners (IGP)  in an agreement to buy 300,000 Jacada shares, 7% of the company's share capital, from Robert (Bob) Ashton's investment firm Kinetic Catalyst Partners.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | IPOs and Public Offerings

Mistakes to be avoided by early-stage entrepreneurs

Ariella Dreyfuss will lecture to early-stage entrepreneurs who participated in StarTAU's Elite Entrepreneur Program.

The lecture will deal with founders agreements and what you need to avoid as a new startup.

Categories: High Tech

Reverse Vesting and Holdback – Good News for Entrepreneurs?

On July the Israel Tax Authority presented its position that the sale of equity by a founder should be treated as a capital gain and not income, irrespective of whether such shares had been subject to a Reverse Vesting mechanism and/or Holdback. A double edged sword for entrepreneurs.

Reverse Vesting and Holdback – Good News for Entrepreneurs?

Earlier this month the Israel Tax Authority presented its position that the sale of equity by a founder should be treated as a capital gain and not income, irrespective of whether such shares had been subject to a Reverse Vesting mechanism and/or Holdback. A double edged sword for entrepreneurs.

Categories: Start Ups | Tax

To Be or Not to Be a Director?

Investors, whether angels, VCs or corporates, typically demand a seat on the board of directors of their target company in return for their investment. For the full article by Ariella Dreyfuss, please click here

Categories: Corporate

Raising Funds and Selling Your Start-Up: Be Prepared

From day one most Israeli entrepreneurs are already looking for their exit. Unfortunately they are not always prepared and preparation is the key.

Categories: High Tech

TAU Innovation Conference 2016

Barnea invites you to the TAU Innovation Conference 2016. The conference is the largest international innovation conference in the Middle East, with over 6,000 attendees from across the world. This includes entrepreneurs, industry leaders, diplomats, investors, and highly respected keynote speakers at educational and networking events. As Barnea is a participant in the event, our clients enjoy a 35% discount (Password:  TAUBarnea2016)

As part of the event, Micky Barnea will participate in the IPO and exits panel, Yuval Lazi will participate in the fundraising panel and Yuval Lazi and Ariella Dreyfuss will be judges at the Tel Aviv StartUp Challenge competition.

Categories: High Tech

Tel Aviv University nabs $50m donation

Simon Jaffa Adv. and Ariella Dreyfuss Adv. represented The Jeremy Coller Foundation in its donation of up to USD 50 million to the Tel Aviv University for its School of Management.

Categories: NPO

K.I.S.S

Entrepreneurs, you are creative and innovative, but when raising financing it is ok to follow the norm. There is no need to try and reinvent the wheel. Standard also works. I would even argue that from an investment perspective it is superior.

China's Fosun to buy Dead Sea cosmetics

Yesterday, the signing ceremony of the Share Purchase Agreement for the sale of Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories Ltd. to Fosun (China), for approximately NIS 290 million, was held in Jerusalem. Micky Barnea, Ariella Dreyfuss and Itay Gura from our firm represented Kibbutz Mitzpe Shalem, one of the selling shareholders.

 

Categories: Corporate

Angel Investor – Important Factors to Ensure Your Money Is Best Invested

Israel is brimming with high tech ideas and you want to be part of the action, one way to do so is by providing a start-up with early seed money.

But you need to protect your investment.

Barnea & Co. represented Continuity Software

Barnea represented Continuity Software in a transaction for the sale of the company to Kedma Capital for an amount of NIS 160 million. Continuity Software is the leading provider of service availability risk management solutions.

Representing Continuity Software- Adv. Micky Barnea and Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss.
Adv. Yuval Lazi represented Kedma Capital.

 

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Mergers and Acquisitions

Angel's Investor workshop

As part of our cooperation with MIT Enterprise Forum of Israel, our office will take part in an Angel's Investor workshop consisting of 6 meetings. Adv. Micky Barnea, Adv. Yuval Lazi and Adv Ariella Dreyfuss will lecture at the workshop.

 

Categories: Corporate | Internet

Barnea & Co represented Covercy

Adv. Simon Jaffa, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss, Adv. Itay Gura and Adv. Karin Kashi represented Covercy, a Fintech start up in the foreign exchange and remittance industry, in raising financing in a round led by SGVC

Categories: Corporate | High Tech | Mergers and Acquisitions

Barnea & Co. advises Johnson & Johnson regarding its participation in a $28m investment round carried out by Israel's V-Wave

V-Wave, a privately held company with offices in Israel and the U.S., completed a Series B financing round in the sum of $28m.

The round was led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC Inc. (represented by Barnea). Other participants were TriVentures, Pura Vida and BioStar Ventures. Eli and Nir Barkat's BRM fund, Pontifax and Edwards Lifesciences, which were already shareholders in V-Wave, also participated.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech

Finally, crowdfunding comes to Israel

Ariella Dreyfuss Adv. published an article in the leading legal English website "The Lawyer" discussing the new law in Israel relating to alternative means of raising funds. The goal of the law is to assist small Israeli companies in their efforts to raise funds through the social phenomena of crowdfunding, and the establishment of high-tech funds to be traded on a new index on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

Categories: Banking & Finance | Capital Markets | Corporate | Financing | High Tech

Finally, Crowdfunding comes to Israel

The social phenomena of crowdfunding, adopted by high-tech startups as an alternative means to raise funds, was previously limited in Israel by Israel’s Securities Law. Section 15 of the law dictates that any offer or sale of shares to the public (i.e. to more than 35 potential investors) requires the issuance of a prospectus approved by the Securities Authority; a timely and costly endeavor, rendering crowdfunding prohibitive in Israel.

Barnea & Co. appoints new partners

Effective as of January 1, 2016, Barnea appointed 3 new partners: Ilan Blumenfeld who specializes in Antitrust laws, the Kibbutz sector and advising on corporate matters; Liat Keisary who specializes in advising private clients and on real estate law; and Ariella Dreyfuss who specializes in advising technology companies and on M&A transactions.

 

Categories: Corporate

Israeli private and public companies may submit documents to the Companies’ registrar in English

In an article published in The Lawyer and Lexology, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss and Adv. Asaf Shalev explain that a new draft bill, published at the beginning of the month, proposes that Israeli private and public companies should be able to submit documents to the Israeli Companies Registrar in English. The aim of the bill is to ease the process for foreign parties interested in investing in Israeli business and participating in Israel’s high tech story.

Categories: Corporate | High Tech

The Israeli Registrar of Companies now in English - Increasing Certainty

The State of Israel has two official languages – Hebrew and Arabic. As a result, in recent years the Israeli Companies Registrar has held that all documents submitted to the Registrar have to be submitted in either of these official languages. If a document was submitted in English it would be rejected. Such documents include the constitutional documents – the articles of association of Israeli companies and debentures creating pledges over the assets of such companies.

Setting the Record Straight – Limiting Employees' Rights to Compensation for Service Inventions

In 2010, the Committee for Compensation and Royalties made a “revolutionary” ruling regarding the assignment by employees to their employers of rights to "service inventions" – i.e. inventions created in the course of employment. The Committee held that the assignment of an invention does not automatically amount to a waiver of the employee's right to receive compensation for such invention under section 134 of the Patents Law (1967). Although the employer would be the owner of a patent invented by an employee, it may still be compelled to pay the employee royalties for their contribution to the company's technology. This ruling sent proverbial shockwaves through the Israeli high tech industry. Companies, potential acquirers and investors struggled with assessing the risk as to whether employees, both past and present, would now seek compensation for the work they had performed for their employers. In a recent decision the situation appears to have been clarified. On 4 May 2014, the same Committee appears to have revised its position, when it rejected a claim for royalties by a former employee. The Committee ruled that an employee's right to compensation for "service inventions" is not absolute and such right may be waived. The Committee also found that a general waiver signed by the employee upon his termination was sufficient to relieve the employer from the requirement to pay royalties – even if such waiver did not make specific reference to inventions or to section 134 of the Patents Law. According to this latest decision by the Committee, an assignment of rights of "service inventions" together with a general release upon termination would now be sufficient to ensure that the employer will have no further liability to employees who have contributed to inventions. Nevertheless, it would still be prudent to include an express waiver of rights to royalties for "service inventions" in all employment agreements.
Categories: High Tech

"Having a say on pay"

While the UK press has widely reported on ‘fat cat’ salaries and exorbitant bonuses of some of the most senior employees of public companies in the UK, in Israel new legislation on salary levels has been introduced to curb such excesses and limit and control the monies that have been pouring into the pockets of senior executives.

Categories: Corporate