Outsiders are receptive. Four-
teen Internet companies and Web
developers, including Netscape
Communications Corp., and U.S.
Interactive and Art Technology
Group, support OLiVR's technol-
ogy. And recently, Apple Com-
puter announced that it will
incorporate OLiVR's technology
into software that allows design-
ers to create multimedia formats
for the Web.
With the system now getting
off the ground and investments
from Israel's Star Venture Capi-
tal Fund and Gilde Ventures, a
Dutch-based fund, coming in, Mr.
Guedalia says he is beginning to
think about developing OLiVR's
other applications. He declines to
discuss particulars except to say
that there are two more applica-
tions, both in the area of Inter-
net/cellular phone links. He also
thinks about eventually selling
the company or taking it public.
But for him, the business isn't
where the fun is.
"It's much more exciting for me
to evolve new ideas and think that
something I developed is being
used by 5 million people around
the world, than to execute the
business aspect," Mr. Guedalia
says.
(c) Jerusalem Post 1997

❑

French Danone
Buys Strauss

Jerusalem (JPFS) — French dairy
giant Danone has signed an agree-
ment in principal to acquire 20
percent of Strauss Dairies,
Michael Strauss, chief executive
of the Nahariya-based company
said.
Mr. Strauss refused to com-
ment on reports the deal was
struck for $56 million, based on a
company valuation of $280 mil-
lion. He would say only that a fi-
nal agreement will be signed early
next month in Israel in the pres-
ence of Danone President Franck
Ribot.
According to the agreement,
Danone will purchase 20 percent
of Strauss's dairy activities and
help the company get into the
baby-food field..
Danone, which ranks among
the world's leading food compa-
nies, produces dairy goods, cook-
ies, crackers, beer and water. The
company's annual turnover last
year was about $16 billion, with
French sales accounting for less
than half of overall revenue.
Strauss Dairies, the 60-year-
old, privately held company that
is Tnuva's only serious competi-
tor in the Israeli dairy market, ex-
pects its new partner to provide it
with extensive expertise in yo-
gurts, as well as baby food.
Strauss also will import French-
made Danone products.
Strauss's dairy division cur-
rently makes up the core busi-
ness of the Strauss Group.

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