Hetz Ventures is a venture capital firm focusing on Israeli start-ups. The firm consists of a team of investment professionals, backed by some of Europe's connected investors. Hetz Ventures was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Hetz Ventures

Y Combinator is a startup accelerator that invests in a large number of startups twice a year. It created a new model for funding startups. Twice a year, the company invests a small amount of money ($150k) in a large number of startups. The startup accelerator works intensively with the companies for three months, to get them into the best possible shape and refine their pitch to investors. Each cycle culminates in Demo Day when the startups present their companies to a carefully selected, invite-only audience.

Y Combinator

Incapital was founded in 1999  with the mission of providing securities firms and individual investors more efficient access to corporate bonds. While Incapital's expertise in underwriting and distributing investment-grade corporate bonds remains a core competency, the firm now originates and distributes offerings across multiple asset classes. In addition to its broker-dealer and bank partners, Incapital now serves institutional investors and wealth managers. With approximately 175 employees in multiple offices in North America, the firm represents over 300 issuing entities and serves 800+ distribution partners. Incapital continues to provide market leadership with a growing range of product offerings, strong strategic partnerships and innovative technology.

Incapital

MizMaa Ventures is a principal investment firm that specializes in investments in technology companies in Israel.

MizMaa Ventures

INCapital Ventures primarily seeks investment in early-stage technology companies. They are a team of experienced VCs and tech entrepreneurs that joined forces to connect North American investors with Israeli companies.

INCapital Ventures

Binder & Partners Ventures is the investments' capital arm of Binder & Partners multi-family office. The ambition of BPV is to connect our investors with the most promising startup companies.

Binder & Partners Ventures

Anima App

Anima is the platform that turns designs into code.

<div>Anima offers a no code solution that integrates directly with third party design tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD to enable designers to turn their static image-based designs into working prototypes with functional code. In addition to its no code offering, the platform also lets development teams build upon the apps using HTML, React, Vue.js, CSS, and Sass. As of August 2021, the company had plans to add several other integrated coding platforms, including Angular, ReactNative, Swift, and Flutter. </div>

Now anyone can become a software developer.

No-code Software

Anima is an interactive technology company that brings digital characters into AR, using AI and blockchain, and is the developer of “Onlybots.” Onlybots features virtual collectible pets functioning as NFTs that can interact with the world around them. The company uses its own graphics framework for AR and OpenAI's GPT-4 to bring interactivity to the NFTs. OnlyBots can be purchased on the OpenSea marketplace, priced at ~ETH 0.13 (~USD 2,500). Anima's other AR NFTs include the Demsky mirror, a set of location-based sculptures designed in collaboration with Demsky, priced at USD 75, an AR sculpture of an astronaut by Michael Kagan, and an AR boombox launched in partnership with photographer Lyle Owerko. Anima retains 10% of all secondary sales of its NFTs on OpenSea.

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

Anima

<div>
 
 Anima offers a no code solution that integrates directly with third party design tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD to enable designers to turn their static image-based designs into working prototypes with functional code. In addition to its no code offering, the platform also lets development teams build upon the apps using HTML, React, Vue.js, CSS, and Sass. As of August 2021, the company had plans to add several other integrated coding platforms, including Angular, ReactNative, Swift, and Flutter. 
 
 
 Anima claims that, in 2020, its platform had increased developers' engagement by 300% and quadrupled in revenue. The platform had amassed over 600,000 total users (up 100% YoY) and 80,000 active users (up 700% YoY) as of August 2021, including designers from large enterprises such as Google, Netflix, Disney, Facebook, and Amazon. The company also claims that over 5% of its free users convert to paying users, and over 15% of paying accounts expand into teams within the first two months. 
 
 
 In August 2021, Anima raised USD 10 million in Series A funding led by MizMaa Ventures, to invest in tripling the size of its existing team to accelerate product developments. 
 
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 Index offers a no-code platform for enterprises to build dashboards for internal use to obtain insights on business metrics, investor updates and operation overviews, among others. As of June 2021, the product remains at beta, with a limited early preview. The platform provides prebuilt templates, and also has tools for users to build their own dashboards. 
 
 
 
 
 The dashboard can be integrated with multiple apps including Hubspot ((customer relationship management data), Stripe (payment data), and Postgres and MongoDB (databases), slack (remote working) and Google Sheets (spreadsheets), among others. 
 
 
 
 
 The company raised USD 2.6 million in Seed funding in October 2020. It intends to invest the funds in hiring two engineers (in addition to the two founders) and continuing to refine and develop the product. The founders aim to reach USD 1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and expand their product distribution. 
 
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Index

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 Pico offers an audience management tool for media enterprises (newsrooms, trade publications, fan clubs, and others) which allows users to improve CRM. It provides a no-code platform to implement paywalls, checkouts, memberships payments, and analytics, among other functions. The tool is built for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to convert users from anonymous readers to paying customers with the goal of improving retention.
 
 
 
 
 The company raised USD 4.5 million in Seed funding in May 2019, which it intended to invest in improving its analytics and revenue tools. 
 
</div>

Pico

<div>
 
 Stencyl offers a drag-and-drop no-code platform that enables users to create and publish web and mobile games. Users can build their game logic using the platform&rsquo;s pre-built code blocks, design visual elements via an in-built graphics editor, and publish across a range of platform&rsquo;s such as IoS, Android, Windows and Mac. Moreover,&nbsp; Stencyl also enables users to embed ads into their games as a secondary source of revenue.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 As of February 2024, Stencyl was used by over 500,000 registered developers. Apps created on Stencyl have reached top slots in the Apple App Store and Google Play, and its most successful web games have been sponsored by major publishers including ArmorGames, Kongregate, and Newgrounds.
 
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Stencyl

<div>
 
 PlugXR Inc offers a no-code platform for users to produce AR, VR, and MR (mixed reality) apps. Its platform offers cross-platform development for both Android and iOS and supports software development kits (SDKs), collaboration, and report and analytics on the apps. The company operates in the US, Sweden, and India.
 
 
 As of 2019, its customer base rose to 37 clients (from 14 in 2016), while its workforce grew to over 30 people (from 14 in 2016). PlugXR raised pre-seed and angel funding in 2019.
 
</div>

PlugXR

<div>
 
 Universe offers a no-code platform for users to build websites that can be added to social media pages. Websites can be built using drag and drop blocks to add images, videos, and other content to create a mobile-first website. The Platform offers creative controls, 30 pre-made themes, and block features to allow users to create a custom site and/or open an e-commerce store directly from a mobile phone.&nbsp;
 
 
 The company began as a landing page builder and progressed to developing websites, which include tools for adding shopping blocks. Universe targets micro businesses that are not tech-savvy.
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20509">
 In July 2023
 </a>
 , Universe launched the beta version of Generative Universe Sites (GUS), an AI-powered website designing tool. This solution provides a conversational interface for users to dictate their requirements for a website and then generates a customized web page.
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In December 2021, Universe raised USD 30 million in a Series B funding round led by Addition to develop the company&rsquo;s block-based system for website building named &ldquo;GRID,&rdquo; expand its commercial offering for startups, and extend GRID to more platforms and devices. 
 Additionally, the company used the funds to&nbsp; expand its reach in new markets and grow its employee base.&nbsp;
 
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Universe

Offers solutions for building internal applications and automations for enterprises

Many solutions enable users to leverage AI/ML for predictive analytics

Offers solutions for building enterprise-specific applications and automations

Some solutions leverage GenAI to enable users to build application and website templates without coding

Allows users to create apps for their own businesses by using their data and ideas and converting them into apps to improve their workflow.

Anima is an interactive technology company that brings digital characters into AR, using AI and blockchain, and is the developer of “Onlybots.” Onlybots features virtual collectible pets functioning as NFTs that can interact with the world around them. The company uses its own graphics framework for AR and OpenAI's GPT-4 to bring interactivity to the NFTs. OnlyBots can be purchased on the OpenSea marketplace, priced at ~ETH 0.13 (~USD 2,500). Anima's other AR NFTs include the Demsky mirror, a set of location-based sculptures designed in collaboration with Demsky, priced at USD 75, an AR sculpture of an astronaut by Michael Kagan, and an AR boombox launched in partnership with photographer Lyle Owerko. Anima retains 10% of all secondary sales of its NFTs on OpenSea.Key customers and partnershipsIn <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18143">May 2022 </a>, Anima partnered with Atari to incorporate its iconic characters as chatbots powered by GPT-4 on its AR platform.Funding and financialsIn December 2022, the company raised USD 3 million in a seed funding round, with participation from HashKey, Not Boring Capital, and Polygon Studios, among other investors.Competitors: None under coverage. (Anima designs AR chatbots and sculptures that function as resellable NFTs.)

Interplay Learning (Interplay) provides on-demand, interactive, and hands-on simulation learning courses for skilled trades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, solar, and facilities maintenance, through VR, mobile, and desktop applications. The learning courses also include simulated walkthrough videos where experts lead users through procedure guides methodically, with knowledge testing features and additional learning material such as wiring diagrams, equations, sample system configs, and charts at the end of each lesson. The platform also enables managers to track user progress.&nbsp;The company operates a subscription-based model with monthly packages for individuals (USD 54) and teams (USD 229), alongside a custom plan for larger organizations.Key customers and partnershipsNotable customers include Tesla and Rheem Manufacturing. Interplay’s customer usage rose by 445% YoY in 2020. As of February 2021, the platform had over 2,000 customers and 110,000 users across the US.Funding and financialsIn its last funding round (February 2021), Interplay raised USD 18 million in Series B funding co-led by S3 Ventures and Owl Ventures, the world’s largest venture capital firm focused on education technology. As part of the deal, Managing Director of Owl Ventures, Ian Chiu, joined Interplay’s board. The funds were raised to expand its offering to new markets and to accelerate its vision to combine immersive learning experiences with a human connection.

Interplay Learning

Switzerland-based WayRay develops holographic AR technology and hardware for the automobile sector. Its technology is used in head-up displays (HUDs) that project images into a driver’s field of vision to assist with navigation. Although its initial focus was on developing HUDs that can be purchased and installed in any vehicle, it has since pivoted to producing embedded HUD systems (i.e., hardware built into vehicles). WayRay’s HUDs are considered to provide a wider field of vision and combine data (location and mapping information) with vision data to generate images by projecting a laser beam through a Picture Generating Unit (PGU) onto a Holographic Optical Element (HOE).&nbsp;In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18537">May 2023</a>, WayRay announced integration of its AR displays into Tesla Model 3's in Switzerland, with plans to follow shortly afterwards in the US. Previously, in September 2021 the company launched its deep reality system that replaces the traditional car dashboard. In addition, WayRay launched “The Holograktor” dubbed the first “metaverse on wheels”, which can be driven conventionally or using a remote control via a 5G and satellite connection (November 2021).&nbsp;The company’s founder and CEO, Vitaly Ponomarev, identified that its systems are more advanced, backed by more patents, and potentially 20x smaller than comparable devices in the market. WayRay’s HQ in Switzerland also acts as a product design and development hub, while its R&amp;D center and prototyping factory are based in Russia.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsThe company is backed by strategic investors such as luxury automaker Porsche, which highlighted the management’s expertise in space engineering, hardware, and software development as key reasons for its investment, Hyundai Motor Co., and Alibaba. It is also notable that these investors, particularly Hyundai, are looking at ways to potentially use WayRay’s technology to offer more services in the future. For instance, Hyundai believed that the technology could be used for smart cities and smart buildings, which are its new areas of interest.WayRay partnered with Karma Automotive, a producer of luxury electric vehicles, in December 2021 to support the implementation of its HUDs into their test fleet. Moreover, it partnered with a leader in designing and manufacturing specialty glass, AGP eGlass, in September 2021 to further proliferate its technology.&nbsp; Funding and financialsIt was reported in April 2021 that the company is considering a public listing at a USD 2 billion valuation via a SPAC, although no further updates on this have been announced as at January 2024.&nbsp;

WayRay

AmazeVR initially focused on developing VR technologies but pivoted to VR concerts in late 2019. The concerts are backed by proprietary 9K cameras and software that automate complex VR concert visual effects that run on more than 100 headsets simultaneously. Users join and hang out with other users as avatars while experiencing VR concerts. It intends to bring VR concerts by major artists to theaters and eventually, homes.AmazeVR rolled out its first commercial VR concert, which will feature 3x Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion, in 2022. The artist is expected to tour select AMC Theaters across the US. It is also in the final stages of closing deals with its second and third artists. AmazeVR also revealed plans to release weekly content by 2024 in theaters and for at-home viewers.In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20145">July 2023</a>, AmazeVR launched its official AmazeVR Concerts app, featuring an exclusive VR concert from Swedish pop star, Zara Larsson. The app is available on major VR app stores, and the exclusive Zara Larsson VR concert can be accessed for a year at a launch price of USD 6.99. AmazeVR also produces and monetizes VR content on a subscription basis.As of August 2023, the company was in the process of producing and releasing mixed reality concerts by overlaying virtual elements onto live, real-world video.Funding and financialsThe company’s most recent funding was in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13338">September 2022</a>, when it raised USD 17 million in a Series B funding round led by Mirae Asset Capital. The fresh funds were allocated to expand partnerships with artists, artist management companies, labels, publishers, and agencies.

AmazeVR

Dispelix, based in Finland, designs and manufactures single-layer, full-color waveguide displays, a thin (about 1mm) transparent element that takes in a projected image and relays it to the eye, using a nanophotonics-based approach catering to AR applications (e.g., smart glasses). It uses laser beam scanning technology to render laser-sharp images with a gamut of color palettes, which are displayed using beam-combiner technology. Its patented and proprietary approach includes diffractive surface relief gratings, which are elements used for high-power laser applications, fabricated on high refractive index glass wafers that enhance field-of-view and image quality.The company had a total of more than 40 granted or pending patent families as of November 2021. Its product line, Dispelix DPX, includes Dispelix DPX - Ohut, Dispelix DPX - Selva, and Dispelix DPX - Sade with a varying degree of field of view, form factor, and weight. According to Co-Founder and CTO Juuso Olkkonen, its displays are the lightest and thinnest in the market.Key customers and partnerships1) Foxconn and Pegatron: to create reference designs for AR glasses based on its Selvä waveguide display (October 2023)&nbsp;2) VividQ: created a “waveguide combiner” which accurately displays variable-depth 3D content in a user’s environment (January 2023)3) ColorChip and Maradin: To further Light Beam Scanning (LBS) solutions for AR glasses (October 2022)4) Jade Bird Displays: To develop multiple reference designs for AR devices (June 2022)5) AAC Technologies: To improve waveguide displays for the AR and MR industry (March 2022)6) OQmented: for the development and commercialization of MEMS-based LBS technology (November 2021)7) Coretronic: To develop a range of AR optical module solutions (December 2020)8) Hoya Corporation: To improve quality of waveguide displays (November 2020)Funding and financialsIn its most recent funding round (November 2021), Dispelix raised USD 33 million in a Series B funding round co-led by Atlantic Bridge, CCB Trust, and Flashpoint with participation from Lifeline Ventures, VTT Ventures, and 3M Ventures. The funds were allocated to product development. It revealed that several OEM customers were slated to integrate its technology into their consumer offerings by 2023.

Dispelix

DigiLens is a developer of holographic waveguides, which is a clear, thin piece of glass or plastic, used for AR devices. In January 2023, the company launched ARGO, an XR smartglass designed for enterprise and industrial use, the first AR device to utilize Qualcomm’s SnapDragon XR2 platform. Other specifications included 6-degrees of freedom (6-DoF) tracking, a 30-degree field-of-view, spatial audio, a 48MP RGB camera, voice and gaze recognition, access to real-time data visualizations, and a 2,500-nits HD display.&nbsp;The company’s first product, the DigiLens Crystal was introduced in 2019, was a thin-film laser-etched photopolymer embedded with microscopic holograms of mirror-like optics. By projecting a micro display to one end of the lens and another set of optics working to guide the light wave toward the eye, this proved to be an ideal piece of hardware for AR devices, which are preferred with as little hardware as possible.&nbsp;It claims that its patented optical platform and photopolymer technology coupled with a holographic copy manufacturing process enable it to produce cheaper and more scalable solutions. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17598">April 2023</a>, the company announced the launch of SRG+, a surface relief gratings product that improves upon its waveguide technology.The company generates revenue by licensing its technology across a range of industries including the automobile, enterprise, consumer, avionics, and military sectors. DigiLens also offers a white-label solution for automotive companies whereby it creates holographic waveguides for windshields that could offer in-cabin experiences for drivers.&nbsp;&nbsp; Key customers and partnershipsKey partnerships include that with1) Phantom Technologies: - Phantom Technology: To integrate Phantom's CASSI Spatial AI assistant into the DigiLens ARGO glasses, providing features such as spatial search, a contextual assistant, and task management using voice commands (October 2023)2) Wisear: To integrate its neural interface-powered earphones with the ARGO smart glasses (May 2023)3) Mojo Vision: To utilize Mojo Vision's micro-LED technology to build improved AR glasses (May 2023)4) Taqtile: To integrate the company's ARGO smart glasses with Taqtile's AR work platform, Manifest (May 2023)5) OMNIVISION: To develop new XR product offerings (January 2023)Other partnerships include that with OMNIVISION (January 2023), a leading global developer of semiconductor solutions to develop new XR product offerings. OMNIVISION’s liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panels allowed DigiLens to build LCOS/LED projectors optimized for its holographic waveguides. OMNIVISION's core camera technology provides DigiLens' devices with features such as visual odometry and six degrees of freedom.&nbsp;DigiLens also works with Taiwanese licensed waveguide manufacturer Young Optics, Chinese original design manufacturer and electronics supplier Malata, Korean display manufacturer Sekonix, international technology company Continental, Chinese optical elements manufacturer Crystal Optech, and Mitsubishi Chemical.&nbsp;Funding and financialsIn April 2022, DigiLens announced the second close of its Series D funding round (intiial close in November 2021) in which it raised USD 50 million at a valuation of USD 530 million. The funds were allocated for the development of DesignV1, its second-generation product.

DigiLens

Some solutions in the "content" segment are offered under a B2B SaaS model

Headsets and content segments provide the building blocks for the metaverse

AR/VR platforms offer remote assistance to field experts and headset manufacturers facilitate virtual work

AR, VR, and MR are the primary enabling technologies for the XR industry

Companies offering AR/VR solutions or toolkits for specific industry applications, including VR game developers

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