member companies work with Israeli
companies each and every day, from those
that have the largest injection molding
machine in North America to others who
use nanotechnology to change the world.
The establishment of the MIBB
Educational Foundation has been a behind-
the-scenes game changer as well. There
are many people who may not have a
membership fit for the Michigan Israel
Business Bridge, but want to support the
work it is doing to educate and spread
the importance of teaming with Israeli
companies.
"A donation to the MIBB Educational
Foundation is a great way to make a
tax-deductible gift allowing our work to
continue at record pace," says Foundation
treasurer Robyn Lederman. "Through
community member and foundation

MEDC Weighs In

donations, we will be creating a new
mentorship program for startups looking to
"MIBB is an essential resource," says Michael
do business between Michigan and Israel
Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan
as well as expanding current services and
Economic Development Corporation (MEDC),
opportunities."
a public-private partnership that is the state's
If Israel is the "startup nation," then
marketing arm and lead agency for overall
MIBB is the best definition of
economic growth.
a startup organization on the
"We see the potential for high-
ground promoting the benefits
growth companies to be established in
of working with companies
Michigan based on Israeli innovations,"
that are in Israel. They are in
he said.
executive offices all over the
MIBB helps them provide a "soft
state — often with people who
landing" to Israeli companies that
have never considered working
seek to create an American base of
with Israel before their visit.
operations.
To learn about the MIBB,
"It is easier for them to enter the U.S.
visit www.michiganisrael.com
market from Michigan," Finney says, "and
or contact the MIBB office at
their growth provides Michigan jobs."
Michael A. Finney
info@michiganisrael.com or
This past June, Finney went to Israel
President & CEO
(248) 642-1701.
with Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on

What Others Are Saying About MIBB

"Thanks to the MIBB, Michigan is now
on the short list for cutting-edge Israeli
businesses to visit when they come to
the United States. This has resulted in
business opportunities and technology
transfer for Michigan and Israeli
businesses."

David Schreiber
Chief Strategist & Business
Development Team Leader
Oakland County Economic
Development & Community Affairs

"MIBB's value to the Jewish community
in Michigan and to Israel can't be
overstated. MIBB's work extends from
the programs to connect Israeli startups
with customers and distributors all
the way to bringing top Michigan
politicians to Israel."

Jonathan Medved

CEO – OurCrowd

"The joint MIBB-MEDC visit to Israel
that introduced our governor to some
of Israel's finest high-tech businesses
really put Pure Michigan front and
center with Israel. It made me proud to
be a Michigander living in Israel."

Donald F. Schenk
Vice President, IDF Programs
Herzliya, Israel

Michigan Economic
Developement
Corportation

"The Right Place Inc. has enjoyed a very
productive relationship with MIBB since
joining the organization several years
ago."

Birgit Klohs, President & CEO

The Right Place, Inc., Grand Rapids

"Working with MIBB has enabled us
to expand and deepen our outreach in
Michigan and further promote Israel
business relations in the state."

Yariv Becher

Consul for Economic Affairs
The Government of Israel Economic
Mission to the Midwest

On our recent trip to Israel with Gov.
Rick Snyder and the leadership of the
Michigan Economic Growth Corp, the
MIBB was instrumental in connecting
our state leadership to a myriad
of both emerging and established
companies in Israel. This work by the
Bridge will benefit our local economy
here in Michigan and foster a stronger
relationship between Israel and
Michigan.

Scott Kaufman

Chief Executive Officer
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit

STAY CONNECTED: 151 www.facebook.com/michiganisrael

121 Michigan Israel Business Bridge

@michiganisrael

an MIBB investment mission focused
on business startups and research in
the automotive, defense, life science
and water technology industries. They met
with companies that already employ people
in Michigan and others that are interested in
exploring a possible move here.
Finney says the trip had a lot of positives,
from Gov. Snyder hitting it off with Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussing
management and governance for an hour
and a half, to meeting with the CEO and initial
investors in social traffic and navigation app
WAZE, which Google was in the process of
buying for more than $1 billion.
During the trip, Michigan and Israel agreed
to develop a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) which Finney says, "will accelerate
the commercialization of Israeli innovations
in Michigan, and vice versa. It will establish a
reciprocal arrangement for us to help each other."
The MOU has been completed and "Michigan
has signed off on it. We're just waiting to get
it back," says Finney, who hopes it can work
its way through the Israeli system in time for a
formal signing in October.
Underscoring the essential nature of MIBB
to the effort, Finney's MEDC has signed a joint
agreement with the MIBB in order to make the
MOU work.
"MIBB is to be a primary resource to assist
with the implementation of the MOU," Finney
says. "Of course they will be here, but they
will also be on the ground in Israel identifying
companies, gaps and needs, and will be the
primary advocate for these companies to get
established in Michigan."

Join MIBB In Making a Difference

The best response to the Boycott/Divestment/
Sanction Movement is doing business with Israel.
MIBB has joined with the BuylsraelGoods Movement.
See where you can buy Israeli products in Michigan
by going to our homepage:

www.michiganisrael.com

September 2013 • Chai Israel Magazine I 15