48 | FEBRUARY 20 • 2020 

A

s an undergraduate student, I was 
invited to attend the Accelerating 
Michigan-Israel Business Innovations 
conference at Michigan State University 
last November. The one-day event brought 
together entrepreneurs, business, govern-
ment and education leaders 
from Israel and Michigan to 
build innovation and econom-
ic development opportunities 
for both. 
Being a David Project intern 
at MSU Hillel has strength-
ened my desire to foster 
business relations between 
Michigan and Israel as part of my future pro-
fessional career, so I was eager to listen to the 
speakers from the organizations represented.
The conference was hosted by the Lansing 
Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and 
the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator 
(MIBA), with sponsorship from MSU’
s 
Broad College of Business, the Serling 
Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern 
Israel and the Michigan Chamber of 
Commerce. 
Scott Hiipakka, CEO of the MIBA, talked 
about how creating relations between Israel 
and Michigan will position Michigan as one 
of the premier partners for Israel’
s innova-
tion in the United States. 

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor discussed his 
excitement about a Michigan-Israel partner-
ship as part of a panel with Michigan-Israeli 
industry experts. Schor said Lansing’
s work-
force and infrastructure are ready to make 
the ideas of Israel’
s innovators and entrepre-
neurs a reality. 
It was great to hear support from Dean 
Sanjay Gupta of the Eli Broad College of 
Business about the university furthering its 
research collaboration between MSU and 
Israeli scholars, innovators and businesses. 
He also emphasized the benefits of con-
necting students with the entrepreneurship 
mindset present in Israel. 
For example, Serling Visiting Scholar Dr. 
Harry Yuklea has taught courses about entre-
preneurship and the Israeli startup experi-
ence for two years in the College of Business. 
The college will also begin its first study 
abroad to Israel focusing on innovation and 
entrepreneurship in Israel over spring break 
this March. 
The study abroad will be led by Dr. 
Ayalla Ruvio, business professor and Serling 
Institute affiliate. I will be her teaching assis-
tant. Twenty-three students will meet with 
Israeli companies with offices in Michigan, 
American companies with offices in Israel 
and startup companies based in Israel. All 
students received a Levy study abroad schol-

arship through the Serling Institute. 
Attending the conference aligned with my 
personal goals. 
Throughout my childhood, I heard of 
Israel’
s innovative and entrepreneurial envi-
ronment. Because Israel is the only democra-
cy in the Middle East and one of the United 
States’
 closest allies, I was taught the impor-
tance of a strong relationship between Israel 
and the United States. 
I strengthened my knowledge of Israel 
academically and in my extra-curriculars. 
I minored in Jewish studies and, through 
the Serling Institute, I participated in study 
abroad at the Hebrew University, took 
Hebrew for four semesters and then an ulpan 
(intensive Hebrew course) in Israel. I also 
interned in Israel at Bar-Ilan University’
s 
Faculty of Law as a research assistant, and 
I spent two summers in Israel with support 
from the Institute’
s Levy and Hersch schol-
arships. 
I am a strong advocate for education about 
Israel in my extra-curriculars at MSU. I am 
involved with MSU’
s Hillel and Chabad 
Student Center. As a David Project intern, 
I fostered relationships between Jewish and 
non-Jewish groups wishing to learn more 
about Israel. My passion for engaging people 
on Israel has pushed me to continue advo-
cating for strengthening economic relation-
ships between Israel and the United States.
By beginning to create connections for 
MSU students to see Israel in the context 
of business and establishing a way to make 
strong relationships between Michigan and 
Israel, I believe our partnership and future in 
innovation and entrepreneurship has never 
looked so bright.@

Benjamin Francis of Farmington Hills is a junior at 
Michigan State University in East Lansing. 

Innovation & 
Entrepreneurship

for college students 
by college students

Michigan-Israel conference moves
development opportunities forward. 

Benjamin Francis } jewish@edu writer

Participants at the Accelerating Michigan 
Israel Business Innovations conference at 
Michigan State University

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY/MICHIGAN-ISRAEL BUSINESS ACCELERATOR

Ben Francis

