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Michigan Israel Business Bridge connects businesses in Mcgan and Israel.

hat started as an idea during a
visit to a high-tech company in
Israel soon became a meeting in
Lansing to garner interest, and within weeks
the Michigan Israel Business Bridge was up
and running.
"It took five years of hard work for us to
become an overnight sensation," MIBB co-
founder and past president Chuck Newman
of Ann Arbor, recently told the board of
directors of the organization that is making
positive waves across Michigan.
Michigan Israel Business Bridge is a
nonprofit, member organization whose
mission is to promote business and
investment opportunities between Michigan
and Israel. The Michigan Israel Business
Bridge is the resource for economic
development between Michigan and Israel.
Hannan Lis began his term as president
in July 2012. "I have been privileged to be
involved in many areas of the community,"
says Lis. "But, combining my love for Israel
and Michigan with my passion for business
and startups, MIBB became a natural next
step for me. I am honored to work with other
business leaders throughout the entire state
to advance these partnerships."
MIBB works alongside economic
development groups throughout Michigan
and Israel. The nonprofit board of directors
and officers come from Ann Arbor, Metro
Detroit, Lansing, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids,

W

Hannan Lis,
President,
Michigan Israel
Business Bridge

Pamela B. Lippitt,
Executive Director,
Michigan Israel
Business Bridge

Kalamazoo, Jerusalem and Haifa. But the
common thread is doing business.
MIBB concentrates on creating
business where economic sectors between
Michigan and Israel overlap, including
automotive, defense, water technologies,
agriculture and life science.
During the year, you can find many
Israelis heading to Michigan to visit car
manufacturers and suppliers. It surprises
most people to learn that Israel has more
than 350 automotive suppliers, and most of
them do business in Europe and the US.
"Our job is to show them the reason
to expand their business by setting up
warehousing and sales offices here, where

Michigan And Israel Announce MOU

The State of Michigan and the State
of Israel are putting the finishing
touches on a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between
the two to establish a competitive
project fund for joint Michigan -
Israel research and development.
A direct outcome of Gov. Rick
Snyder's trip to Israel, this fund will
encourage joint b2b and research
between both industries and
universities.

MICHIGAN ISRAEL

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B USINESSB RID GE

Chai Israel Magazine •

A Bi-National Chamber of Commerce

September 2013

the auto industry is a drive away, not a plane
ride," says Pam Lippitt, MIBB executive
director.
Over the past five years, MIBB has worked
with Israeli government groups to bring in
delegations in life science, water technologies
and more than 100 automotive engineers
during four separate missions.
Through a wide network, MIBB members
touch hundreds of companies here in
Michigan and Israel, making introductions
that serve as the first step toward business,
research and investment.
MIBB was proud to be the conduit to many
meetings during Gov. Rick Snyder's recent
mission to Israel.
"It is impossible to go to Israel without
learning about the high-tech industry," said
Lis, who participated in the mission along
with Lippitt. "We, at MIBB, were pleased
to present the governor with opportunities
to meet CEOs, both one-on-one and within
industry groups, to present the benefits of
expanding their companies in Michigan.
Meeting with the governor and Mike
Finney, the CEO of the Michigan Economic
Development Company, showed more than
100 CEOs, researchers and engineers the
importance the state of Michigan places on
trade with Israel."
The Michigan Israel Business Bridge
presents educational programs all year long,
showcasing opportunities for business,
research partnerships and investment
opportunities. Making connections is what
the organization is all about.
"One of the best ways to introduce
Michigan to Israeli startups is by giving
them introductions into the investment
community," says Joseph Ben-Gal, member
of the Board of Directors and treasurer of
MIBB. "Using our vast network to make the
correct introductions is key. As more and
more companies visit Michigan, the word is
spreading that we are serious about doing
business with Israel."
MIBB's members come from automotive,
manufacturing, banking, legal and many
high-tech industries, so one phone call or
email can create the right connection. MIBB

6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
WWW.MICHIGANISRAEL.COM
info@michiganisrael.com I (248) 642-1701

