Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Samsung in talks to acquire Israeli firm Corephotonics

Samsung has already invested some $15 million in Corephotonics, which develops imaging technology for smartphones.

Israeli currency. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.
Israeli currency. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Electronics giant Samsung is reportedly in talks to acquire the Israeli firm Corephotonics for some $150 million.

Corephotonics, based in Ramat Hachayal, develops multi-aperture camera technologies for smartphones.

Samsung is a major investor in Israeli high-tech companies. In 2016, Samsung and its investment branch, Natures, invested $15 million in Corephotonics. Thus far, Corephotonics has raised $50 million.

Corephotonics was founded by former Chief Scientist at the Science and Technology Ministry Professor David Mendlovic, who serves as CEO; Dr. Gal Shabtay, vice president of Research and Development; and Eran Kali, vice president of licensing.

In response to a query from Israel Hayom, Mendlovic said that “Samsung is an investor in our company. They have expressed interest by investing in us. There is nothing concrete [about an acquisition] at this stage. We will be happy to inform the public when we know anything.”

“This is a strategic move designed to ensure Israel’s technological superiority, accelerate development in the field of AI, and maintain Israel’s position in the first line of world powers,” according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
“There are certainly many possibilities; we are prepared for any scenario,” the premier said.
The weekend statement from the Foreign Ministry comes six months after Jerusalem and the South American nation restored full diplomatic relations.
Herzog will also greet new envoys from Australia, South Korea, Vietnam and the Vatican.
A 31-year-old man of Moroccan descent ran over 7 people and stabbed another in a suspected terror attack near Milan.
The Central American nation is the 46th country to label Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a terrorist group in the past year.