JUNE 29 • 2023 | 11

OUR COMMUNITY

M

ichigan Israel Business 
Accelerator (MIBA), an 
economic development 
organization, recently unveiled 
“The Elevator” as the first land-
ing zone exclusively for Israeli 
startups in the U.S. This Israeli 
coworking community, located in 
Detroit’s Bricktown neighborhood 
in the Globe Building, is focused 
on forging connections between 
Israeli startups and companies and 
Michigan enterprises. 
The launch of The Elevator 
signifies a significant step toward 
introducing a greater number of 
Israel’s cutting-edge and cost-saving 
technologies to Michigan. By doing 
so, it seeks to accelerate Michigan’s 
economic growth and cultivate its 
thriving innovation ecosystem.
Michigan stands out as an advan-
tageous choice for Israeli companies 
due to its ranking among the top 10 
regions that offer competitive busi-
ness opportunities, according to Site 
Selection magazine. Furthermore, 
Detroit has garnered international 
recognition as the leading emerg-
ing startup ecosystem worldwide, 
according to Startup Genome’s 
research. These prestigious acco-
lades position Michigan as an 
appealing destination for Israeli 
companies seeking favorable busi-
ness prospects and dynamic startup 
ecosystems.
“I take great pride in being part 
of Michigan’s vibrant business 
landscape that serves as a global 
magnet for innovation,
” said Matt 
Elliott, MIBA board chair. “With 
this announcement, MIBA is taking 
a huge leap toward our vision to 

position Michigan as the premier 
partner for Israeli innovation in the 
U.S.
”
Scott Hiipakka, CEO of MIBA 
and a brigadier general in the 
Michigan Army National Guard, 
is currently deployed serving as 
Commander of Joint Task Force 
Guantanamo, Cuba. “The strategic 
partnership between Michigan 
and Israel has created a dynamic 
environment that fosters innova-
tion, entrepreneurship and mutual 
prosperity,
” he wrote from the field. 
“The launch of The Elevator truly 
takes this relationship to the next 
level, and we look forward to the 
transformative opportunities it will 
generate for Israeli startups and 
Michigan businesses alike.
”
Hiipakka will be returning to 
MIBA later this summer. In his 
absence, Mark Davidoff, founding 
board chair of the Michigan Israel 
Business Accelerator, has been 
leading the organization.

Michigan Israel Business 
Accelerator launches 
THE ELEVATOR — first landing 
zone for Israeli startups in the U.S.

JACKIE HEADAPOHL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

ISRAELI-
MICHIGAN
ISRAELI-
MICHIGAN

PARTNERSHIPS

continued on page 12

Itai Biran and Matt Elliott

ELAYNE GROSS PHOTOGRAPHY

ON THE COVER