T

aste of Two Nations is an upcoming 
evening that will celebrate American 
and Israeli wine. Above all, the event 
will celebrate partnerships, collaboration 
and innovation.
Taking place Oct. 6 from 6-9 p.m. at the 
Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Taste of 
Two Nations is a special wine tasting fund-
raising event put on by the Michigan Israel 
Business Accelerator (MIBA) that will raise 
crucial operating funds for the nonprofit 
organization.
The MIBA is what CEO 
Scott Hiipakka calls a “small 
but mighty” organization com-
mitted to advancing Michigan 
innovation through Israeli con-
nections.
“Israel is what’s known as 
Startup Nation,
” Hiipakka, 51, 
of Milford says. “It has the largest number of 
startups per capita in the world.
”
The second-annual Taste of Two Nations 
event will help fuel those important bilateral 
partnerships between Michigan and Israel 
— an opportunity for synergy Hiipakka says 
is “extraordinary.
”
“That’s what MIBA does,
” he continues. 
“We build partnerships in order to create 
jobs in Michigan and help contribute to 
Michigan’s economic growth.
”

CELEBRATION OF INNOVATION
Last year’s Taste of Two Nations event drew 
around 150 guests, a number Hiipakka says 
the organization is hoping to beat this year. 
The event will feature wine tasting for top 
American and Israeli wines, the latter of 
which Hiipakka says many haven’t tried yet.
“We’re bringing Israeli wine to people’s 
palates who’ve never had a chance to taste 
Israeli wine,
” he says, describing the flavor as 
“earthy and rich. Most is typically from the 
Golan Heights.
”
It’s a unique taste he likens to wine from 
Chile or Argentina. “Some of the grapes are 

grown up in the mountains. It’s much more 
hearty.
”
In addition to wine tasting, the evening 
will recognize innovation and partnerships. 
MIBA will give out awards for three cate-
gories of innovation throughout the night. 
“We will bring together our award recipi-
ents, along with their guests and our guests,
” 
Hiipakka says.
For MIBA, recognizing partnerships 
is essential. As the organization’s flagship 
fundraiser, Taste of Two Nations is what 
Hiipakka calls a “fun environment and an 
opportunity for networking,
” especially 
amongst those in the startup world.
The three-hour event, co-chaired by 
Regine Beauboeuf and Beth Chappell, will 
kick off with a traditional welcome recep-
tion. “They’re really the backbone of the 
event,
” Hiipakka says of the co-chairs. 
The meet-and-greet social will be fol-
lowed by a mixer featuring American and 
Israeli wines, in addition to foods.
The social portion will then lead into the 
formal part of the night, where MIBA will 
host a silent auction, hand out awards and 
allow guests to hear from leadership.
While MIBA is still finalizing this year’s 
auction items, Hiipakka says last year’s 
auction included weekends at condos in 
Florida, high-end wine and tickets to sport-
ing events.
Tickets for Taste of Two Nations start at 
$200, while sponsorship opportunities range 
from $2,500 to $10,000. Donations of any 
level can also be made to support the orga-
nization’s mission.

POISED FOR GROWTH
In conjunction with Taste of Two Nations, 
MIBA recently held a number of essential 
developments to help create even stronger 
partnerships between Michigan and Israel.
The organization currently supports trade 
delegations, import and export services, B2B 
and B2G matchmaking, consulting services, 

Experience Innovation and more. It also has 
a membership program for Michigan-based 
startups to join.
Recently, MIBA hosted the Israeli indus-
try 4.0 firm 3d Signals to talk to manufac-
turers about its optimization system. MIBA 
delegates also attended the Mackinac Policy 
Conference this summer and visited Israel 
to build relationships earlier this year.
Yet MIBA
’s biggest impact in 2022 is the 
funding raised to support Michigan startups.
“Our goal this year was to generate 
around $1.4 million of economic prosperity 
for the state of Michigan,
” Hiipakka says. “So 
far this year, we’ve generated $2.8 million of 
economic prosperity for Michigan.
”
It’s a goal MIBA has more than doubled 
and plans to beat even more by end of year.
“It’s a testament to the great team I 
have and the hard work we do every day,
” 
Hiipakka says. “We build partnerships with 
Israel and really build connections between 
Michigan and Israeli companies.
” 

Register for Taste of Two Nations at https://e.givesmart.

com/events/s9i/.

Celebrating American 
and Israeli Innovation

BUSINESS

MIBA’s Taste of Two Nations event will help 
bilateral partnerships between Michigan and Israel.

Scott 
Hiipakka

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

78 | SEPTEMBER 22 • 2022 
 
 
 
 

