Last updated 2026-08-19
- Acquired by 180solutions for $50M, Jun 2006
- Raised $11M Series A led by Unterberg Tobin, Dec 2000
- Raised $3M Seed round led by Eurofund 2000, Nov 1999
Total raised
$14.0M
Last: A Round 2001-04
Stage
Acquired
Founded
1999
Headcount
85
HQ
Tel Aviv, Israel
Sector
Consumer Software
About
Hotbar developed a browser toolbar that allowed users to customize the appearance and functionality of their web browsers and email programs with themes, backgrounds, and animated icons. It also offered features like a search box, weather updates, and direct links to shopping and content websites. The company was regarded as one of Israel's promising and profitable startups in the early 2000s, achieving international success and at one point being installed on an estimated quarter of the world's personal computers. However, it later faced criticism and legal challenges, with major cybersecurity companies classifying it as adware.
Funding history · 2 rounds · $14.0M total
2 events/rounds · $14.0M Total Funding: $14.0M in Private Equity
Dec 2000
★ Unterberg Tobin★ Deutsche Bank Alex. BrownEurofundEurofund 2000CE Unterberg TobinTechnorov HoldingsCE Unterberg TowbinTamar Technology VenturesTamar Technology InvestorsABS Ventures (Deutsche Bank subsidiary)
Nov 1999
Headcount over time
85 employees (2026-09) · 1 point
Offices
Tel Aviv, Israel · HQ / main office
Q&A
- When was Hotbar founded and where is its headquarters located?
- Hotbar was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- What was Hotbar's primary business activity?
- Hotbar developed browser and email add-on software that allowed users to personalize their web browsers and email services with customizable toolbars and themes, while also serving targeted advertising.
- What is the current status of Hotbar?
- Hotbar was acquired in June 2006.
- Which company acquired Hotbar?
- Hotbar was acquired by 180solutions in June 2006.
- What was the total amount of funding raised by Hotbar?
- Hotbar raised a total of $20,500,000 USD.
- Who were the lead investors in Hotbar's Seed round in November 1999?
- Eurofund 2000 led Hotbar's Seed round in November 1999, which raised $3,000,000 USD.
- Which investors participated in Hotbar's A Round in December 2000?
- Deutsche Bank and Unterberg Tobin led Hotbar's A Round in December 2000, which raised $11,000,000 USD.
- Who are the co-founders of Hotbar?
- The co-founders of Hotbar are Oren Dobronsky and Gabriella Karni.
Team · 2
Oren Dobronsky
Founder · Co-Founder, CEO
Gaby Karni
Founder · Co-Founder, President
Sectors & technology
Primary sector
Consumer Software
Technologies
Target customers
Business model
B2C
Highlights
Patents
Tags
consumer-softwareinternet-applicationsadwarebrowser-toolbar
Full data — links, identifiers, deals & radar signals (jobs, patents, research, more)
Identifiers & details
| Legal name | Hotbar.com Inc. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Employees (exact) | 85 |
Acquisitions & public offerings
Acquired by 180solutions 2006-06 $50.0M
Radar intelligence
Patents
| EPO | 16 |
|---|