jews d
in
the
Michigan Israel
Business Bridge
becomes
Michigan Israel
Business
Accelerator.
New Name, Stronger Profile
STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A
fter a decade of building and community and talent
business-to-business
development, with the focus on
relationships between
growing Michigan’s economy.
companies in Michigan and
The new reset could serve as
a nationwide model for other
in Israel, the nonprofit public/
states looking to do more busi-
private organization known
ness with Israel.
for a decade as the Michigan
“We are leading alli-
Israel Business Bridge
ances between com-
announced Nov. 20 it
panies in Michigan
changed its name to
and Israel from the
the Michigan Israel
front and hope to be
Business Accelerator
emulated as a model
(MIBA). The organi-
for other states looking
zation will boost its
to strengthen business
profile in the area with
ties with Israel,” said
new board members
Mark Davidoff
Deloitte Managing
and a Downtown
Partner Mark Davidoff,
Detroit office with a
who is helping to lead
beefed up staff to sup-
the transition. “We are now
port its efforts in making con-
building upon the foundation
nections between Israeli and
Michigan companies.
of public/private business part-
MIBA is setting its sights
nerships that started 25 years
on Israeli and Michigan busi-
ago under the leadership of
Gov. John Engler and continues
ness ventures that advance
the convergence of technology,
under Gov. Rick Snyder, the
industry and research in such
MEDC and the three leadership
sectors as advance manufac-
missions to Israel that have
turing, mobility, cyber, defense, occurred since November 2015.
water, health and life
MIBA will be the single
science, and agri-
portal for business-to-
business connections
culture and will also
collaborate with the
between Michigan and
Israel.”
Michigan Economic
Beth S. Gotthelf,
Development
MIBA president and an
Corporation (MEDC),
attorney with Butzel
the state’s marketing
Long, added, “With the
arm and lead advocate
tremendous progress
for business develop-
Beth Gotthelf
ment, job awareness
made to date and the
12
November 30 • 2017
jn
resources and talented
convergence of the
strategic direction of
workforce,” Gov. Snyder
Michigan and Israel,
said. “Our ever-expand-
it is the right time to
ing collaboration with
build on the organi-
Israel — especially in
zation’s success and
the areas of mobility
and entrepreneurship
expand the opportuni-
— will allow us to build
ties for greater out-
comes.
upon that relationship
Gov. Rick Snyder
“There is more
and create more jobs
opportunity than ever
within both our bor-
for Michigan and Israel-based
ders.”
companies, from mature orga-
The timing of the announce-
nizations to start-ups, to col-
ment to re-energize efforts
laborate for the benefit of all,”
to strengthen business ties
she said.
between Michigan and Israel
One Israeli startup launching comes on the heels of an
business deals in Michigan that unprecedented resolution
has benefited from network-
passed by the Central Student
ing through MIBA is security
Government of the University
technology communications
of Michigan asking for the uni-
company Gabriel. Responding
versity’s Board of Governors
to the disturbing trend of U.S.
to divest in three companies
mass shootings at
conducting business in
soft targets such as
Israel.
schools and other pub-
MIBA Executive
lic and private build-
Director Hadas
ings, Gabriel designs
Bernard said the
software and mobile
resolution will be
inconsequential in
applications, high-tech
their efforts, mention-
sensors and devices,
ing that it is illegal
and strives to provide
Hadas Bernard
under Michigan law.
better and potentially
In January 2017, Gov.
life-saving communica-
Snyder signed into
tions solutions.
law a bipartisan pro-Israel bill
“Michigan’s strong economy
that made it illegal to boycott
continues to offer opportuni-
ties for businesses from around and divest from Israel. The bill
the world to find success here
prohibits the state government
thanks to our tremendous
of Michigan from contracting
with businesses that boycott a
strategic partner of the United
States.
“What took place at the
University of Michigan was reli-
giously based propaganda that
took place in a forum that did
not educate people on the real-
ity of Israel; the reality is there
is a robust exchange between
the economies of Israel and
Michigan,” Bernard said, men-
tioning recent openings of
offices of Israeli companies in
Michigan and automotive com-
panies such as General Motors
and Daimler Chrysler opening
up research centers in Israel.
Bernard said plans are also
in the works for Israeli compa-
nies specializing in water tech-
nology management to make
Michigan inroads to tackle the
state’s water infrastructure
woes.
“The reality is that Israel is
an ally to the state of Michigan
from sectors in business and
military defense to water
infrastructure issues. Because
the new Israeli shekel is the
second-strongest currency
in the world behind China, it
makes perfect sense for Israeli
businesses to research busi-
ness opportunities here in
Michigan.”
An MIBA office is projected
to be open in the first quarter
of 2018. •