Technology

We hope you saved the date because June 7 is right around the corner, and we&re ready to kick off TechCrunch Tel Aviv. Our inaugural one-day conference focuses on the boundary-pushing mobile technology coming out of Israel. It promises to be an information-packed affair — just take a look at the agenda. But hold the mobile phone — we have even more exciting news to share.

In conjunction with The Builders, TechCrunch is co-hosting the first ever Tel Aviv Innovation Week. Starting June 3 and culminating in the TC Tel Aviv conference on June 7, we&re organizing a series of events for the public focused on various technologies and startups highlighting mobility innovation in Israel and around the world.

Herejust a taste of the numerous events you can attend during Innovation Week in Tel Aviv:

• Aleph, an early-stage venture capital fund that helps Israeli entrepreneurs scale into large, meaningful companies and globally recognized brands, will discuss scaling immigrant talent to build a global ecosystem.
• Cyabra, a cyber startup created to protect brands and public identities against online disinformation threats, will host an event to discuss ways to fight propaganda and fake news.
• DeloitteInnovation Tech Terminal, a collaboration between DeloitteUS and Israeli practices focusing on innovation and facilitating relationships with the Israeli startup ecosystem, will host the Deloitte Storytelling Workshop.
• JoinVerizon Ventures-Deutsche Telekom to hear from partners of leading VCs what Israelcybersecurity landscape foreshadows for 2018/19 and for a discussion with the CEOs of the hottest IOT Security startups in Israel.
• The Platform Urban Entrepreneurship Center, part of Tel Aviv Global, will host an event to discuss Smart Cities and urban innovation.
• Yazamiyot, the leading community for Israeli women entrepreneurs, will host an event to discuss technology and social impact.

TechCrunch is proud to be a founding partner of Tel Aviv Innovation Week, and our writers will attend select events to discover the rising stars of the Israeli mobility startup community. Head on over to our website for a full list of events scheduled throughout the week and sign up before the registration slots disappear.

And remember, TechCrunch Tel Avivtakes place on June 7, 2018, at the Tel Aviv Convention Center, Pavilion 10. Buy your tickets right here. We can&t wait to see you there!

Amazon introduced 10 percent savings at Whole Foods for Prime members earlier this month, and today it kicked off a nationwide expansion of the initiative.

The Prime Whole Foods discount — one of a number of measures following Amazonacquisition of Whole Foods — has expanded to 12 more states,including northern California, Colorado and Texas, with more set to follow soon.

The collaboration is yet another reason to subscribe to Amazon Prime, and the compelling package for consumers gives retailers — both online and offline — further reason to fear Amazon.

The offer was launched in Florida first but this expansion is the first of a wave that are designed to allow Prime customers across the entire U.S. to get discounts at Whole Foods andWhole Foods Market 365 stores by the end of this summer.Whole Foods currently has over 470 stores in the U.S., Canada and U.K. combined, but the majority — 463 to be precise — are in the U.S so thereplenty of work to do. That said, Amazon said allWhole Foods Market 365 in the U.S. are now covered.

The discount is also possible for customers who use the Whole Foods delivery service, which is also part of the Amazon app. Prime members get free delivery if their order is $35 or more, and therea two-hour delivery window.

Amazonnationwide expansion of Prime discounts at Whole Foods has begun

&From delicious dinner options like shrimp or rotisserie chicken to fresh organic raspberries, we&re offering savings on products customers love and can enjoy with their families. Exclusive deals like the sustainably-caught halibut were a huge hit in Florida, and we&re excited to partner with our suppliers to bring Prime members even more discounts on seasonal favorites and everyday staples,& A.C. Gallo, Whole Foods Market president and COO, said in a statement.

Scoot, the electric moped company that first launched in San Francisco, is deploying two new modes of transportation in Barcelona. The first is an upgrade of its original scooter that the company deploys in San Francisco. Instead of maxing out at 30 mph, this new moped can go up to 60 mph. The second mode of transportation is a good old-fashioned pedal assist bicycle. To support Scootambitions in Barcelona, the company has a team of 20 people based in the European city.

Specifically, Scoot will deploy 1,000 bicycles that can lock to bike locks and other city infrastructure. Scoot will also deploy 500 electric scooters, designed by Silence. These mopeds are designed to not only drive faster, but also be more durable and carry up to two people. But Scoot won&t be the only shared electric moped and bicycle service in Barcelona. Instead, it will join the likes of moped startups Yugo and eCooltra, and bike-share startup Bicing.

Scoot is hoping to also launch its stationless bikes in San Francisco, but can&t for a little while due to the fact the city has an exclusive permit with bike-share service JUMP (now owned by Uber) until next June. However, Scoot founder and CEO Michael Keating told me hehopeful the city will change itmind, saying, &we would like to think we&d be able to convince the city to let us do it before the JUMP pilot ends.&

Scoot CEO Michael Keating at the companySF HQ

Thatbecause Scoot has been working with the city since 2012, and has, in Keatingmind, proven its ability to work well with cities.Scoot was quite early to the concept of shared mobility that you can leave and pickup anywhere. Fast forward a few years and now we see Lime, Bird, Spin and JUMP hitting the streets with electric scooters and bikes. Despite the entrance of several new mobility players in San Francisco, Keating said Scoot hasn&t seen any dips in ridership.

Whether Scoot gets into stand-on scooters remains to be seen. Keating said he recognizes they&re a &cool product& but he has an issue with how often people ride them on sidewalks. You may also remember when Scoot launched ten of those mini electric cars that could hold up to two people. Scoot has since pulled them from the streets, but Keating said the company is currently looking for the right electric car for San Francisco.