Israel Matzav

Microsoft buys another Israeli startup

Microsoft is buying Israeli start-up VideoSurf, whose technology scans video websites, such as Hulu, Metacafe, and Dailymotion, enabling users to easily find a specific video online. The deal is said to be worth about $70 million, while there was about $28 million invested in the company.

The technology can scan video clips quickly, implement a thorough search of their content (such as faces or events), and tag the various clips. Another Israeli company AnyClip Ltd. supplies Hollywood video content to Videosurf to enable video search based on content. The site has more than 20 million users view each month.

Globes, our local business daily, adds:

Israel's AnyClip Ltd. supplies VideoSurf with video clips and specific scenes from Hollywood movies. VideoSurf's mobile app enables users to do a visual search of TV series. The software analyses the picture on the screen and knows how to identify it and to process various data like scenes and details about actors. The ap is similar to products developed by Israeli companies TvTak Ltd. and IntoNow, which was acquired by Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) in April for $20 million.

I have a vague memory of watching a pitch for this company many years ago.

Labels: Israeli high tech, Microsoft

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:35 PM