SpaceDev Inc , Poway (Califorina) is a large compnay one of whose goals is development of small (small, micro and nano) satellites. Relevant to our objectives SpaceDev designed and built CHIPS (Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer) for UCB as a part of the University Explorer program.
Israel is a leader in miniaturization. The primary motivation actually comes from the desire of the Israeli government to develop ground, air and sea remote sensing vehicles (UAV). Low mass and high precision is critical to local needs. By gloabl standards, Israel is now a leader in UAVs.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) located in Israel is that country's premier private contractor for space technology. IAI has chalked up an impressive growth in technological capability, starting from routine remote sensing (OPTSAT series), communicatio (AMOS series) to synthetic aperture radar (TECSAR)) satellites. The latter is particularly impressive for the SAR performance given the mass. [The equivalent satellite in US would have a 1-ton mass and only slightly better performance.] It is noteworthy that ISRO launched TECSAR (over objections and concerns expressed by Saudi Arabia). So at the governement level there is a very strong tie up between the space program of the two agencies. The subsystems divisions could potentially be suppliers of attitude control, solar arrays and ground stations. IAI attitude control systems is very agile (thanks to low mass) and thus desirable for TOO observations.
Rafael (Weapons Systems Development Authority in Hebrew) is a Israli state sponsored defence contractor. Judging from their web pages the company is a bit mysterious but Rafael and IAI have joined hands with a stated intent to be a major player in micro satellites (defined as less than 100 kg) by taking advantage of Israel's lead or advances in minitiarization technology. The only known project that Rafael is now working is the Israeli-France Venus microsatellite (remotes sensing) sateillite (estimate cost of $33M; excluding launch). VENUS will demonstrate Israel's capacity to demonstrate Hall thruster engines which enable satellites to maintain a desired orbit despite "space weather". Hall thruster engines require far much less bulk (for fuel) relative to the standard hydrazine powered engines.