The management of Internet Research Institute (IRI) opened the trading on TASE this morning (8 October) on the occasion of its IPO on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE). The company is a holdings company engaged in Internet-related technologies through its subsidiary IRI Japan and the latter’s three subsidiaries, and focuses on IOT (Internet of Things), cybersecurity, and AI (Artificial Intelligence). The company's operation includes consulting, research, tech event organizing and investment in startups. On October 4, 2018, the company's shares joined the TA-AllShare Index, the TA-Growth Index, the TA-Global BlueTech Index and the TA-Technology Index.
Dr. Hiroshi Fujiwara, IRI’s President and CEO: “Many thanks for TASE’s considerable efforts and congratulations on marking the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel. I have the greatest respect for Israel and consider it an honor to be making the IPO of the company’s shares on TASE and thus I am proud to be here in person. It is our desire to build a bridge between Japan and Israel and, on arriving in Israel yesterday, the first thing I did was to visit the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center in order to gain an insight into the History and culture of the state of Israel. This IPO is but a starting point for us here in Israel”.
Drorit Vilnai, Listings Unit Manager at TASE’s Economics Department: “IRI raised NIS 20.3 million last August and joined the equity market as the ninth new company to issue shares on TASE in 2018. In aggregate, these companies have raised NIS 1.7 billion with a market cap of NIS 7 billion. Israel as a startup nation has access to one of the world’s largest populations of technology startups, which has aroused the interest of the Asian market in the Israeli market and in the high-tech sector. This has led TASE, in the last few months, to sign a cooperation agreement with the Singapore Stock Exchange to establish dual capital raising opportunities for Israeli technology companies”.
