Latest news with #Bergerson
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Israeli defence startups draw investment from major American firms
Israeli army reservist Zach Bergerson felt he had to take action when he saw fellow soldiers having to rely on their eyes and ears to detect swarms of enemy drones overhead. So the high-tech professional, 36, developed a wearable device that uses mobile phone technology to warn troops of aerial threats. Like other reservists, Bergerson has leveraged his civilian expertise and military experience to bolster Israel's defence industry. Known as SkyHoop, his startup has since emerged from stealth mode - a period when startups typically work in secrecy - to be piloted in Ukraine with discussions underway for a trial by the US Defense Department. While US President Donald Trump brokers a Gaza ceasefire, Israeli startups like Bergerson's are drawing investment from US and Israeli venture capital firms and looking to build on a growing European market for Israeli defence exports. More than a third of all defence tech startups registered with the country's Startup Nation Central, an organization that tracks Israeli innovation, was created since a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, launched the war in Gaza. In June, while Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile targets, their 12-day air war highlighted the efficacy of Israel's aerial defences. Israel successfully intercepted 86% of Iran's ballistic missile launches, the Defence Ministry said. The changing nature of war has led to shifts in defence procurement worldwide. Western armies demand new battle-tested technology, refined by soldiers in combat. Some 20% of Israeli reservists work in the robust high-tech sector. Israeli defence startups have drawn investment from major American venture capital firms that previously avoided the sector as it was considered riskier and mired in regulation. Israeli VC firms have emerged as well to invest in defence. Lital Leshem, an Israeli reservist, in December co-founded Protego Ventures, a fund that has studied some 160 defence companies and raised around $100 million. She expects the fund will invest in around four companies by year's end. 'Reservists are coming out of the battlefield and are putting together new companies to solve real problems that they have experienced in real-time on the battlefield,' Leshem told Reuters. These companies will face major challenges scaling up to the global market and overcoming regulatory hurdles, Leshem said, but she predicts that, like Israel's cyber industry, it is a field in which Israeli entrepreneurs can thrive. These startups formerly viewed the US as the "holy grail" for their target market, Leshem said, but that is also changing. Israeli startups are hoping to benefit from Trump's demand that European countries take over from the US more of the burden of defending their continent. Under a new NATO defence spending plan, countries will spend 5% of GDP - up from 2% - on defence. The figure includes 3.5% of GDP on "core defence" such as weapons and troops and 1.5% on security-related investments. Such an increase - to be phased in over 10 years - will mean hundreds of billions of dollars more spending on defence. Israel's defence exports hit a record $14.8 billion in 2024, according to Defence Ministry figures released last month, while exports to Europe comprised more than 50% of these sales, up from 35% in 2023. Despite calls from some countries to boycott Israeli weapons, 'when one side is purchasing, in the end, they want to buy the best product possible,' said Reserve Brigadier General Yair Kulas, head of the Defence Ministry International Defence Cooperation Directorate. Largely as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, Kulas said, European states are upgrading their militaries, sending older equipment to Ukraine and replacing it with new products, many of them from Israel. Kulas said the story of Israeli weapons exports is also part of a larger global trend. The political backlash is worrisome, Kulas said, because on the one hand Israel's innovation is groundbreaking and world-class but there has been a 'delegitimization of Israel". More than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, local health officials have said, in the 21 months since Israel launched its assault on Gaza, displacing the population and leaving the territory in ruins. 'I don't know how it will impact the results in 2025,' Kulas told Reuters. He said it is 'certainly a huge challenge.' Avi Hasson from Startup Nation Central said the surge of new defence startups created by reservists is reminiscent of a technological revolution 20 years ago that would later evolve into smartphones. Startups may prompt larger Israeli defence companies such as Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries to either try to acquire more Israeli startups and help bring them up to scale or develop their technology at a faster pace. "We are now in a different world," Hasson told Reuters.
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Wartime innovation boosts Israeli defence tech growth, drawing global interest
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox JERUSALEM - Israeli army reservist Zach Bergerson felt he had to take action when he saw fellow soldiers having to rely on their eyes and ears to detect swarms of enemy drones overhead. So the high-tech professional, 36, developed a wearable device that uses mobile phone technology to warn troops of aerial threats. Like other reservists, Bergerson has leveraged his civilian expertise and military experience to bolster Israel's defence industry. Known as SkyHoop, his startup has since emerged from stealth mode - a period when startups typically work in secrecy - to be piloted in Ukraine with discussions under way for a trial by the U.S. Defense Department. While U.S. President Donald Trump brokers a Gaza ceasefire, Israeli startups like Bergerson's are drawing investment from U.S. and Israeli venture capital firms and looking to build on a growing European market for Israeli defence exports. More than a third of all defence tech startups registered with the country's Startup Nation Central, an organization that tracks Israeli innovation, were created since a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, launched the war in Gaza. In June, while Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile targets, their 12-day air war highlighted the efficacy of Israel's aerial defences. Israel successfully intercepted 86% of Iran's ballistic missile launches, the Defence Ministry said. The changing nature of war has led to shifts in defence procurement worldwide. Western armies demand new battle-tested technology, refined by soldiers in combat. Some 20% of Israeli reservists work in the robust high-tech sector. Israeli defence startups have drawn investment from major American venture capital firms that previously avoided the sector as it was considered riskier and mired in regulation. Israeli VC firms have emerged as well to invest in defence. Lital Leshem, an Israeli reservist, in December co-founded Protego Ventures, a fund that has studied some 160 defence companies and raised around $100 million. She expects the fund will invest in around four companies by year's end. 'Reservists are coming out of the battlefield and are actually putting together new companies to solve real problems that they have experienced in real time on the battlefield,' Leshem told Reuters. These companies will face major challenges scaling up to the global market and overcoming regulatory hurdles, Leshem said, but she predicts that, like Israel's cyber industry, it is a field in which Israeli entrepreneurs can thrive. These startups formerly viewed the U.S. as the "holy grail" for their target market, Leshem said, but that is also changing. EYES ON EUROPE Israeli startups are hoping to benefit from Trump's demand that European countries take over from the U.S. more of the burden of defending their continent. Under a new NATO defence spending plan, countries will spend 5% of GDP - up from 2% - on defence. The figure includes 3.5% of GDP on "core defence" such as weapons and troops and 1.5% on security-related investments. Such an increase - to be phased in over 10 years - will mean hundreds of billions of dollars more spending on defence. Israel's defence exports hit a record $14.8 billion in 2024, according to Defence Ministry figures released last month, while exports to Europe comprised more than 50% of these sales, up from 35% in 2023. Despite calls from some countries to boycott Israeli weapons, 'when one side is purchasing, in the end, they want to buy the best product possible,' said Reserve Brigadier General Yair Kulas, head of the Defence Ministry International Defence Cooperation Directorate. Largely as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, Kulas said, European states are upgrading their militaries, sending older equipment to Ukraine and replacing it with new products, many of them from Israel. Kulas said the story of Israeli weapons exports is also part of a larger global trend. The political backlash is worrisome, Kulas said, because on the one hand Israel's innovation is groundbreaking and world-class but there has been a 'delegitimization of Israel". More than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, local health officials have said, in the 21 months since Israel launched its assault on Gaza, displacing the population and leaving the territory in ruins. 'I don't know how it will impact the results in 2025,' Kulas told Reuters. He said it is 'certainly a huge challenge.' Avi Hasson from Startup Nation Central said the surge of new defence startups created by reservists is reminiscent of a technological revolution 20 years ago that would later evolve into smartphones. Startups may prompt larger Israeli defence companies such as Elbit, Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries to either try to acquire more Israeli startups and help bring them up to scale or develop their own technology at a faster pace. "We are now in a different world," Hasson told Reuters. REUTERS
NZ Herald
30-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Te Akau Racing's Sam Bergerson wins top award at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand's leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night. Bergerson is part of the Te Akau Racing juggernaut, training in partnership with Mark Walker for the last two seasons, securing the trainers' premiership last
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Robby Bergerson named new Waco Fire Chief
Waco, Tx (FOX44) – The City of Waco announces the selection of Robin 'Robby' Bergerson as the next Fire Chief for the Waco Fire Department. His appointment will be presented to the Waco City Council for confirmation during the June 17, 2025, city council meeting. Chief Bergerson brings more than 32 years of fire service experience, including nearly 28 years dedicated to serving the Waco community. A city statement said his proven leadership, operational expertise, and deep institutional knowledge make him uniquely qualified to lead the department into its next chapter. Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Bergerson has served in every operational and administrative rank within the department—from Firefighter and Engineer to Training Division Chief, Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations, Executive Deputy Fire Chief, and most recently, Interim Fire Chief. His progression through the ranks reflects not only extensive hands-on experience but also a consistent commitment to professional growth and excellence in service. 'It's been a real privilege to serve the Waco community for nearly 28 years,' said Chief Bergerson. 'As Fire Chief, my job is to keep this community safe and take care of the men and women who serve it. That means leading with integrity, showing compassion, and making sure we're always ready to meet the needs of the people who count on us.' City Manager Bradley Ford commended Chief Bergerson's dedication and leadership, emphasizing the value of promoting from within the department. 'Robby has earned the trust of his colleagues and the respect of this community through decades of exemplary service,' said Ford. 'He leads with humility, experience, and a steady hand. I have full confidence in his ability to guide the department forward and continue delivering exceptional service to the people of Waco.' Chief Bergerson holds a Master of Liberal Studies in Public Administration from Fort Hays State University, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Mountain State University, and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Services Administration from Weatherford College. His professional credentials include Executive Fire Officer (EFO) from the National Fire Academy, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, and Certified Fire Executive (CFE) from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association. He is also a graduate of the IAFC's Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NZ Herald
04-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Horse racing: Towering Vision claims stakes victory in desperate finish
Bergerson was excited about the future prospects for his charge, who he believes will get better with age and a step up in distance. 'We always liked the step up to 1400m, we thought he would also handle the track and he has just gone the right way of late,' Bergerson said. 'He is a horse we think has plenty of upside and looks like a really nice 3-year-old for next season. 'He has the ability to do it now and that is a fantastic result for his owners, for Windsor Park and Circus Maximus. 'We think he can go to the mile next time so the Champagne Stakes [Listed, 1600m] at Ellerslie is a possibility once we get him home and see how he pulls up. 'Fair play to him as well as he looked beaten when the other one went past him. He got a bit green and got lost but he kicked again, which is a credit to him.' Grylls confirmed his mount had run a little greenly in the straight but was impressed with how he knuckled down to the challenge. 'He hopped away nicely and put himself there before idling up to them in the home straight,' he said. 'He got a little bit lost when he kicked away and the second horse has possibly headed him, but to his credit, he picked himself up again. 'You would think 1600m will be ideal for him as he is a big, long-striding type.' Purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $105,000 during the Book 1 sale at Karaka in 2024, Towering Vision is closely related to multiple South Island stakes winner Who Dares Wins. His sire Circus Maximus, a son of champion stallion Galileo, will stand at Windsor Park for $17,500 + GST during 2025 breeding season.
