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NOTA DE PRENSA
PRESS RELEASE
TELEFÓNICA AND VLX VENTURES TEAM UP TO INVEST IN
ISRAELI START-UPS
Israel, 20 October 2014.- Telefónica, a leading global telecoms company, is joining
forces with the innovation incubator VLX Ventures to make potential investments
in Israeli start-up companies. The collaboration will focus on a range of fields
reflecting the modern global telecommunications landscape such as video, cloud
computing, big data, the internet of things, smart homes, wearable technology
and future communications, offering companies in these areas investment capital
and also the potential to scale their products to over 300 million Telefónica
customers around the globe.
The proposed investments will take place under the auspices of VLX Ventures,
with Telefónica participating in the investment rounds in synergy with its own
activities. For Telefónica the planned collaboration is part of its Open Future
programme - the global open innovation platform that integrates all of Telefónica
Group’s investment vehicles and initiatives in support of entrepreneurship and
innovation such as Wayra, Amérigo or Campus Party
The innovation incubator VLX Ventures, led by Ori Choshen, is one of the leading
incubators in Israel. “Joining forces with Telefónica is strategic for Israeli startups which supplies them with all the support that a leading innovation incubator
can provide, combined with a partnership with a leading strategic global
company,” says Ori Choshen, CEO of VLX Ventures, “Our goal is to put together
several joint investments every year and to continue to expand our collaboration
from year to year. Collaborating with a significant player such as Telefónica
provides young companies with the opportunity, from the early development
stages, for professional cooperation with Telefónica. In addition, they get a
potential giant client for the solutions they are developing, together with a
strategic partner that can invest in their promotion and development.”
Telefónica, S.A.
Dirección de Comunicación Corporativa
Ronda de la Comunicación, s/n
28050 Madrid
Tel: +34 91 482 38 00
email: [email protected]
www.telefonica.es/saladeprensa
“As a digital telco Telefónica invests in many forward-thinking companies around
the globe and as a country packed full of world-leading talent and innovative
companies Israel is the perfect place for us to increase our investment potential”
says Doron Shpasser Head of Investments and Partnerships at Telefónica in
Israel. He added, “we are constantly evaluating advanced technologies, and this
partnership with VLX Ventures allows us to strengthen potential collaborations
with young Israeli technology companies operating in areas that are of interest to
Telefonica.”
Telefónica has had a presence in Israel since 2010 and a team focused primarily
on R&D for all of Telefónica’s “future communication” products. Since then,
Telefónica has also intensified its local partnership activity in Israel.
In July 2013, Telefónica joined Israel's Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) in a
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor Global Enterprise R&D Cooperation
Framework. Under the framework, the OCS provides a one-stop-shop to enable
new opportunities for collaboration between Telefónica and Israeli start-up
companies.
About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market
capitalisation and number of customers. With its best in class mobile, fixed and broadband
networks, and innovative portfolio of digital solutions, Telefónica is transforming itself into a
‘Digital Telco’, a company that will be even better placed to meet the needs of its customers and
capture new revenue growth.
The company has a significant presence in 24 countries and a customer base that amounts more
than 316 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and
Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy. Telefónica is
a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently
comprises 4.551.024.586 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona,
Bilbao and Valencia) and on those in London, New York, Lima, and Buenos Aires.
About VLX Ventures
VLX (Van Leer Xenia) Ventures was formed through the merger of the early-stage activities of two
leading Israeli investment centers, Xenia Venture Capital and Van Leer Ventures. Ventures
fostered by these companies have raised hundreds of millions of NIS in continued investments.
VLX operates a technology incubator in Jerusalem, and is engaged in the initiation and build-up of
innovative start-up companies in Israel. The firm specializes in the fields of Information
Technology and Medical Devices, as well as the combination between them. The VLX Ventures
team is highly experienced and supplies innovators with mentorship and professional guidance, as
well as financing.
For the VLX website: http://www.vlx.co.il/
Telefónica, S.A.
Dirección de Comunicación Corporativa
Ronda de la Comunicación, s/n
28050 Madrid
Tel: +34 91 482 38 00
email: [email protected]
www.telefonica.es/saladeprensa
For further information on Telefonica:
Nahum Donitza/ Limor Hirshfeld
5167336-03
For further information on VLX Ventures:
Yehuda Swizer/Shiri Shuvits
3702844-052
Telefónica, S.A.
Dirección de Comunicación Corporativa
Ronda de la Comunicación, s/n
28050 Madrid
Tel: +34 91 482 38 00
email: [email protected]
www.telefonica.es/saladeprensa