Rising Star TV tech company raises US$5m

Israeli TV technology company Screenz has raised US$5 million, which it said will be used on research and development.

Screenz is the company that developed the proprietary tech used in interactive talent show Rising Star. It is backed by Israeli broadcaster Keshet, which also sells the format internationally via its distribution arm. It also has a deal with ProSiebenSat1’s Red Arrow, which represent the latter’s products exclusively in Europe and non-exclusively elsewhere, including the US.

The US$5 million of new cash comes from Marker LLC, a US and Israel-based private equity business.

“The evolving media landscape creates a multitude of opportunities for Screenz to partner with production companies and broadcasters to make traditional TV and second screen experiences inseparable,” said Eli Uzan, CEO of Screenz. “We are delighted that Marker LLC, one of the leading VC’s in the US, is joining us to ensure that Screenz maintains its exciting path to change the way the world views and interacts with television.”