The Challenge Fund

EarlySense Ltd. is a developer of advanced patient monitoring systems tailored for hospitals, healthcare systems, integrated delivery networks, and rehabilitation centers. Founded in 2004 and based in Ramat Gan, Israel, with additional offices in Woburn, Massachusetts, the company specializes in signal-processing technology that enhances patient safety and facilitates early detection of health deterioration. Its flagship product, the EarlySense System, offers continuous monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, and patient motion, allowing clinical teams to manage risks such as falls and pressure ulcers. Additionally, the Central Display Station enables nursing staff to supervise patients effectively, while the contact-free consumer health monitor, known as LIVE, provides users and caregivers with insights into heart health, breathing cycles, and sleep quality. The company's offerings, including EarlySense Live, cater to a variety of healthcare environments and are distributed in Israel, the United States, and Australia. EarlySense has established a strategic partnership with Welch Allyn to further enhance its product capabilities.

Crescendo Networks specializes in the manufacturing and marketing of application delivery controllers (ADCs) that optimize and accelerate the delivery of business-critical web applications. With a focus on performance, Crescendo's ADCs feature a purpose-built hardware design and a massively parallel architecture, enabling them to excel under peak load conditions while maintaining full functionality. This capability allows servers to efficiently handle high volumes of HTTP traffic, ensuring optimal usability for users. Crescendo Networks' products are utilized by some of the world's leading and rapidly growing web properties, contributing to improved user experiences, facilitating business growth, reducing IT costs, and enhancing revenue generation.

OnPage Corporation specializes in smartphone-based business continuity solutions that facilitate uninterrupted communication and information access for organizations. The company offers a cloud-based priority messaging service compatible with various mobile platforms, including iOS, Android, and Blackberry. Its key products include the Secure Messaging System, which provides a centralized dispatching and auditing dashboard, and the Enterprise Control System for IT, enabling organizations to manage incidents, user groups, and escalation policies. OnPage's priority messaging solution ensures reliable message delivery, alerting, and tracking, catering to diverse sectors such as healthcare, information technology, finance, and emergency services. Founded in 1997 and based in Waltham, Massachusetts, OnPage Corporation was formerly known as Onset Technology, Inc. It operates as a subsidiary of Shonut Probabilistic Solutions Ltd.

Crescendo Networks specializes in the manufacturing and marketing of application delivery controllers (ADCs) that optimize and accelerate the delivery of business-critical web applications. With a focus on performance, Crescendo's ADCs feature a purpose-built hardware design and a massively parallel architecture, enabling them to excel under peak load conditions while maintaining full functionality. This capability allows servers to efficiently handle high volumes of HTTP traffic, ensuring optimal usability for users. Crescendo Networks' products are utilized by some of the world's leading and rapidly growing web properties, contributing to improved user experiences, facilitating business growth, reducing IT costs, and enhancing revenue generation.

Sense Networks is a company specializing in predictive analytics through the analysis of mobile location data. Utilizing its technology platform, MacroSense®, it develops proprietary mobile user profiles that incorporate over 1,000 behavioral attributes derived from real-time location data. The platform processes approximately 170 billion location points each month, leveraging historical data to gain insights into human activity and enhance mobile advertising strategies. Sense Networks operates an AdMatch™ real-time bidding platform, functioning as a Demand Side Platform (DSP) that effectively targets and serves advertisements in mobile ad exchanges. The integration of MacroSense profiles also provides a sophisticated Data Management Platform (DMP) for advanced mobile ad targeting. Founded in 2003 and incorporated in 2006, the company was established by a team of computer scientists from MIT and Columbia University and has received multiple accolades for its innovative approaches, including recognition as a Cool Vendor by Gartner and inclusion in Business Week's list of intriguing startups.

Expand Networks is a technology company established in 1998, recognized as a leader in the Wide Area Network (WAN) Optimization market. The company specializes in providing solutions that enhance network performance, particularly through its "Virtual Proximity" technology, which optimizes the user experience over WANs. With a client base exceeding 3,500 organizations and over 40,000 units deployed globally, Expand Networks boasts the largest installations in the industry, with more than 3,000 devices in use. Its product offerings include a virtual WAN accelerator appliance, central management software, and an accelerator operating system, catering to both enterprise and public sector clients. The company's solutions are distributed worldwide through a network of certified resellers, system integrators, managed service providers, and original equipment manufacturer partners.

Voltaire, Inc. designs and develops server and storage fabric switches and network virtualization software for mission-critical applications. It offers host communications adapters, multi-service switches, integrated gigabit Ethernet and fiber channel routers, and I/O virtualization gateways. The company's products comprise Grid Director Switches, which provides computing fabrics for data centers, high performance computing, and cloud environments; server adapters that supports various host interfaces, InfiniBand rates, and upper-layer protocols; server software, which is used for high performance computing, clustered databases, server virtualization, low latency messaging, and database applications; and Unified Fabric Manager, a platform for managing scale-out computing environments. Voltaire offers solutions for financial services, media and entertainment, research and education, government, manufacturing, energy, life sciences industries. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts. Voltaire, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Voltaire Limited.

Mercado is a developer of software focused on enhancing e-commerce operations for online retailers. The company offers a commerce-specific search engine that aids in managing various aspects of online retailing, including merchandising, search functions, catalog management, and browsing capabilities. By providing tools that streamline these processes, Mercado enables e-commerce professionals to effectively implement merchandising strategies and drive revenue growth. Its solutions are tailored to meet the needs of U.S. retailers, promoting efficiency and improved customer experiences in the online shopping environment.

Flash Networks Ltd., founded in 1996 and based in Herzliya, Israel, specializes in mobile Internet optimization and monetization solutions for telecommunications operators. The company provides a range of services, including radio spectral efficiency solutions, data congestion control, and cybersecurity measures, aimed at enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. With its intelligent Internet services gateway, Flash Networks helps operators optimize data traffic and implement targeted marketing strategies, which can lead to substantial cost savings. The company's technology focuses on improving radio resource management, enabling operators to serve more users effectively while reducing operational expenses. Flash Networks has established a global presence with offices in Europe, Asia, and North America, serving top-tier mobile carriers such as O2, Orange, and Verizon Wireless. As of August 2020, it operates as a subsidiary of Volaris Group Inc.

CogniTens, Ltd. specializes in three-dimensional optical measurement solutions aimed at enhancing manufacturing processes, particularly in the automotive sector. The company offers a range of products, including Optigo, a portable measurement platform for direct use by operators and engineers, and OptiCell, an automated system for off-line recurring measurements of parts and assemblies. Additionally, CogniTens provides comprehensive software solutions such as CoreView Plan for planning measurement programs, CoreView Pro for analyzing and reporting data, and CoreView Lite for viewing measurement results. These systems are designed to support various industrial engineering activities, including tooling, part production, assembly, and quality control. Established in 1995 and headquartered in Ramat Hasharon, Israel, CogniTens serves a wide array of clients, including automotive OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, and tool and die companies, with a global presence that includes offices across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

CopperGate Communications develops chipsets designed to revolutionize home networking, providing the only currently available standards-based technology for multimedia networking in the home over existing wires. CopperGate works with the world's leading system manufacturers to deliver the only products that operate over both phone lines and coax cables on a single network enabling consumers to conveniently connect equipment to broadband services throughout the home.

Expand Networks is a technology company established in 1998, recognized as a leader in the Wide Area Network (WAN) Optimization market. The company specializes in providing solutions that enhance network performance, particularly through its "Virtual Proximity" technology, which optimizes the user experience over WANs. With a client base exceeding 3,500 organizations and over 40,000 units deployed globally, Expand Networks boasts the largest installations in the industry, with more than 3,000 devices in use. Its product offerings include a virtual WAN accelerator appliance, central management software, and an accelerator operating system, catering to both enterprise and public sector clients. The company's solutions are distributed worldwide through a network of certified resellers, system integrators, managed service providers, and original equipment manufacturer partners.

Voltaire, Inc. designs and develops server and storage fabric switches and network virtualization software for mission-critical applications. It offers host communications adapters, multi-service switches, integrated gigabit Ethernet and fiber channel routers, and I/O virtualization gateways. The company's products comprise Grid Director Switches, which provides computing fabrics for data centers, high performance computing, and cloud environments; server adapters that supports various host interfaces, InfiniBand rates, and upper-layer protocols; server software, which is used for high performance computing, clustered databases, server virtualization, low latency messaging, and database applications; and Unified Fabric Manager, a platform for managing scale-out computing environments. Voltaire offers solutions for financial services, media and entertainment, research and education, government, manufacturing, energy, life sciences industries. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts. Voltaire, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Voltaire Limited.

Voltaire, Inc. designs and develops server and storage fabric switches and network virtualization software for mission-critical applications. It offers host communications adapters, multi-service switches, integrated gigabit Ethernet and fiber channel routers, and I/O virtualization gateways. The company's products comprise Grid Director Switches, which provides computing fabrics for data centers, high performance computing, and cloud environments; server adapters that supports various host interfaces, InfiniBand rates, and upper-layer protocols; server software, which is used for high performance computing, clustered databases, server virtualization, low latency messaging, and database applications; and Unified Fabric Manager, a platform for managing scale-out computing environments. Voltaire offers solutions for financial services, media and entertainment, research and education, government, manufacturing, energy, life sciences industries. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts. Voltaire, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Voltaire Limited.

CogniTens, Ltd. specializes in three-dimensional optical measurement solutions aimed at enhancing manufacturing processes, particularly in the automotive sector. The company offers a range of products, including Optigo, a portable measurement platform for direct use by operators and engineers, and OptiCell, an automated system for off-line recurring measurements of parts and assemblies. Additionally, CogniTens provides comprehensive software solutions such as CoreView Plan for planning measurement programs, CoreView Pro for analyzing and reporting data, and CoreView Lite for viewing measurement results. These systems are designed to support various industrial engineering activities, including tooling, part production, assembly, and quality control. Established in 1995 and headquartered in Ramat Hasharon, Israel, CogniTens serves a wide array of clients, including automotive OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, and tool and die companies, with a global presence that includes offices across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

BitBand is a technology provider specializing in advanced video content delivery solutions. The company, privately held and incorporated in the United States, has its headquarters and research and development center located in Israel. BitBand offers video-on-demand technology services, enabling efficient delivery of video content to users.

CopperGate Communications develops chipsets designed to revolutionize home networking, providing the only currently available standards-based technology for multimedia networking in the home over existing wires. CopperGate works with the world's leading system manufacturers to deliver the only products that operate over both phone lines and coax cables on a single network enabling consumers to conveniently connect equipment to broadband services throughout the home.

Flash Networks Ltd., founded in 1996 and based in Herzliya, Israel, specializes in mobile Internet optimization and monetization solutions for telecommunications operators. The company provides a range of services, including radio spectral efficiency solutions, data congestion control, and cybersecurity measures, aimed at enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. With its intelligent Internet services gateway, Flash Networks helps operators optimize data traffic and implement targeted marketing strategies, which can lead to substantial cost savings. The company's technology focuses on improving radio resource management, enabling operators to serve more users effectively while reducing operational expenses. Flash Networks has established a global presence with offices in Europe, Asia, and North America, serving top-tier mobile carriers such as O2, Orange, and Verizon Wireless. As of August 2020, it operates as a subsidiary of Volaris Group Inc.

PowerDsine, a subsidiary of Microsemi Corporation, specializes in the design and development of software-controlled power products. The company focuses on integrating data, voice, and power transmission over standard Ethernet infrastructure, allowing power to be delivered through the same network cable as data. Its product lineup includes Power-over-Ethernet integrated circuits, midspans, ring signal generator modules, and DSL remote power feeding modules, as well as Wireless Local Loop integrated power supply modules. PowerDsine's innovative solutions cater to various markets, enhancing the efficiency and functionality of power and data transmission systems.

OnPage Corporation specializes in smartphone-based business continuity solutions that facilitate uninterrupted communication and information access for organizations. The company offers a cloud-based priority messaging service compatible with various mobile platforms, including iOS, Android, and Blackberry. Its key products include the Secure Messaging System, which provides a centralized dispatching and auditing dashboard, and the Enterprise Control System for IT, enabling organizations to manage incidents, user groups, and escalation policies. OnPage's priority messaging solution ensures reliable message delivery, alerting, and tracking, catering to diverse sectors such as healthcare, information technology, finance, and emergency services. Founded in 1997 and based in Waltham, Massachusetts, OnPage Corporation was formerly known as Onset Technology, Inc. It operates as a subsidiary of Shonut Probabilistic Solutions Ltd.

Celvibe develops advanced solutions for streaming high-quality live television broadcasts to mobile users. The core technology enables the seamless delivery of rich media content in the most efficient manner by providing wireless carriers with a unique system for delivering live multi-channel video and audio to wireless users in realtime. CelFeed, the flagship product, is a realtime MPEG-4 transcoder and streamer for supplying mobile devices with rich media content based on realtime reception quality. CelFeed handles hundreds of concurrent users with live video channels at once, by converting compressed streams of live television broadcasts and existing video content on the fly. Its unique ability to 'feel the network' and dynamically adapt to terminal conditions provides end users with an uninterrupted flow of quality data. Celvibe's patent-pending solutions consist of realtime encoding for deploying highly compressed streams of live television broadcasts over wireless networks, and realtime transcoding for converting existing video content to MPEG-4. Customers and partners include Telco's and wireless carriers who are adding packet switch capabilities to their networks, mobile device manufacturers, content providers, application providers and video server manufacturers.

HeliOss Communications Inc. develops wireless broadband communications. Its product line, the Maverick150TM Family, is a high-capacity wireless system for communication uses in different types of metropolitan and rural applications. HeliOss also provides broadband services between homes and the main under ground cable structures. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Demantra provides planning solutions for marketing, sales, and supply chain departments in organizations. It offers Internet-enabled demand management solutions that provide online planning and decision-making environment; and trade promotions management solutions for managing trade and consumer promotional activities in companies. The company also provides inventory planning and optimization solutions, including supply chain planning. It offers its solutions to the consumer packaged goods, consumer electronics and technology, media and entertainment, pharmaceutical, consumer durables, and footwear and apparel industries. Demantra, Inc. was formerly known as Eventus Logistics, Inc. and changed its name to Demantra, Inc. in April, 2000. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

CopperGate Communications develops chipsets designed to revolutionize home networking, providing the only currently available standards-based technology for multimedia networking in the home over existing wires. CopperGate works with the world's leading system manufacturers to deliver the only products that operate over both phone lines and coax cables on a single network enabling consumers to conveniently connect equipment to broadband services throughout the home.

Founded in 1998, congruency, Inc. is a premier provider of hosted IP telcom services and the first company to define and lead the Communications Application Service Provider (CASP) market. A CASP is a new type of ASP that permits Internet-based delivery of a full range of communications services, from voice, to data, to targeted content personalized to IP telephones and Internet appliances. Based in Rochelle Park, NJ with development offices in Petach-Tikva, Israel, congruency has developed a "next generation," true Internet voice networking platform that operates with all broadband access technologies. The system uses an architecture incorporating Voice-over-IP, patent-pending technology, ITU/IETF standards and proprietary methods. The result is high quality, traditional and advanced voice communication services over broadband data networks. The network is designed to work with new Internet telephone appliances such as congruency's own i.Picasso© family of phone appliances -- which allow true IP telephony on the business desktop. These IP appliances have the simplicity, familiarity and feel of traditional telephones, but offer advanced Internet capabilities including the delivery of new and easily-customized communications services. The demand for these devices is expected to grow exponentially. Phillips Infotech predicts that over the next four years, more than 10 million business telephone lines will convert to IP. congruency markets these services to Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and Building Local Exchange Carriers (BLECs). Due to rapidly increasing competition within their markets, service providers are being compelled to find ways to enhance their products and services. Most currently, they offer similar low-margin commodity transport services, limiting their revenue-generating opportunities. In addition, service providers suffer from customer churn, due to a market in which all providers sell the same basic services. congruency's Communications Network offers a new world of opportunities for CLECs, ISPs, and BLECs by allowing them to sell a host of new, quality, IP services to their customers, without investing in expensive equipment and resources. Through its advanced services, congruency makes it possible for service providers to easily move from a low-cost transport, or a "free" telephony model to a "value-added services" business model, permitting them to generate new revenue streams. In addition, new "value-added" services permit service providers to build customer loyalty, and significantly reduce customer churn and low-profit margins that now characterize their marketplace. As the leader of CASP, congruency is prepared to meet the future needs of the marketplace for IP voice, data and targeted content.

Flash Networks Ltd., founded in 1996 and based in Herzliya, Israel, specializes in mobile Internet optimization and monetization solutions for telecommunications operators. The company provides a range of services, including radio spectral efficiency solutions, data congestion control, and cybersecurity measures, aimed at enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. With its intelligent Internet services gateway, Flash Networks helps operators optimize data traffic and implement targeted marketing strategies, which can lead to substantial cost savings. The company's technology focuses on improving radio resource management, enabling operators to serve more users effectively while reducing operational expenses. Flash Networks has established a global presence with offices in Europe, Asia, and North America, serving top-tier mobile carriers such as O2, Orange, and Verizon Wireless. As of August 2020, it operates as a subsidiary of Volaris Group Inc.

NewChannel is a privately held company based in Redwood City, California, founded in 1996. It offers a unique Web-based sales channel that allows businesses to qualify visitors to their websites and enables salespeople to proactively engage with the most promising prospects in real time. By transforming traditional sales and marketing approaches into more targeted and interactive strategies, NewChannel helps its clients enhance the efficiency, personalization, and profitability of their e-business operations. The company provides a hosted application along with comprehensive support services, including implementation, training, and maintenance, to ensure that clients achieve long-term success in their online sales efforts.

Desktop marketing and technology solutions that enables advertisers to reach and hyper-target desktop software audiences

PowerDsine, a subsidiary of Microsemi Corporation, specializes in the design and development of software-controlled power products. The company focuses on integrating data, voice, and power transmission over standard Ethernet infrastructure, allowing power to be delivered through the same network cable as data. Its product lineup includes Power-over-Ethernet integrated circuits, midspans, ring signal generator modules, and DSL remote power feeding modules, as well as Wireless Local Loop integrated power supply modules. PowerDsine's innovative solutions cater to various markets, enhancing the efficiency and functionality of power and data transmission systems.

ProActivity provides business process analysis and optimization software. The company develops, sells, and supports a platform that automates the capture and validation of business processes, generates graphical process maps on the fly, provides multidimensional analysis, and creates a strategic process knowledge base that can be reused and extended. It also offers consulting and professional services, onsite training, Web training, and customer support services. The company's clientele includes BEA Systems, Dell, CSC, Wyeth Pharmaceutical, Getronics NV, US Army, State Street Bank, and Bank of America. ProActivity was founded as Inprotech Technologies in 1993. The company is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts with an office in Netanya, Israel.