JULY 20 • 2023 | 41 continued on page 42 situation leading to e-Car development. ” David Riemenschneider, a private equity automotive technology consultant from Europe, visited the Michigan booth hoping to help the effort. “ Among my jobs, I encourage overseas compa- nies to locate in Michigan by consulting on mergers and acquisitions, funding strategies and organization- al structure, ” he said. He worked at Ford Motor Company for 16 years, including 10 in Dearborn, and the rest in charge of Ford of Europe in Germany. Craig McGuire, managing director of the MCity internship program, an interdisci- plinary public-private partner- ship at University of Michigan, was also at Ecomotion. MCity provides “mini-internships” by pairing startups with four to six Michigan undergrads who form teams. The teams have access to U-M resources, facilities and data sets; all things mobili- ty-focused. “Two Israeli companies are already involved with the MCity internship pro- gram: Innaviz Technologies and Foresight, ” he said. “We’re expanding the program by adding six new startups in the EV space. We came to meet startups looking to expand in the U.S. We want Michigan to be that site. ” CONNECTING MICHIGAN AND ISRAEL MIBA is not the first local organization connecting state commerce with Israel. The Michigan-Israel Chamber of Commerce performed a broader level of connecting Michigan and Israeli business in the 1980s and 1990s. MIBA resurrected the effort in 2018. In addition to this trip’s focus on mobil- ity and sustainability technology, MIBA ’s program areas also include health technol- ogy, defense, advanced manufacturing, the industry 4.0 accelerator program, food and agriculture. “Michigan is the global capital of mobility and the preeminent place for automakers and auto suppliers, along with entrepreneurs and innovators leading the way in the mobility and electrification rev- olution, ” MDOT’s Brunner said. “Michigan is defining the future of transportation, and our innovation along with the state’s mod- ern infrastructure, talent pool and testing capabilities allow Michigan to continue its position as a high-tech, global mobility and electrification hub with abundant resources for startups and mobility businesses. “The Michigan delegation is interested in interacting with Israeli companies to explore available new mobility technology with the possibility to pilot or implement some of these innovations in Michigan, ” Brunner added. Roshni Shokar of Michigan Central in Detroit’s Corktown neighbor- hood participated in the eco- nomic mission to Ecomotion in Israel “to meet with startups to encourage their moving to Detroit, to locate at Michigan Central, which was designed to provide a space as they look to expand their presence in the United States, ” she said. “We’re hoping to find new technologies to bring to Michigan, not to Silicon Valley. ” Anchored by a “first-of-its-kind” mobil- ity testing platform, Michigan Central was created in the former abandoned Detroit train station revitalized by Ford with out- door plazas, open spaces and 1.2 million square feet of commercial public space, said Shokar, associate of platform experi- ence and startup and entrepreneur engage- ment for the Ford Motor Company subsid- iary. “We are offering connected mobility so Israeli and other startups can provide real-life demonstrations of technology and products. ” NETWORKING SUCCESS According to MEDC’s Ward, the delegation came to Ecomotion to learn about Israeli innovation and both the history and cul- ture that has created a remarkable ecosys- tem of technological advancements. “Israel has fostered an environment of creativity, resilience and resourcefulness that has propelled it to the forefront of technological breakthroughs in various fields. The unique blend of diverse influ- ences, entrepreneurial spirit and a strong emphasis on education has played a pivotal role in shaping Israel into the ‘Start-Up Nation, ’” Ward added. Begun 11 years ago with a modest one- day event, “Ecomotion Week” has become one of the world’s premier Smart (think AI, smartphones, etc.) mobility events globally. The Michigan-based participants, along with Michigan international companies already in Israel, such as General Motors and Ford Motor Company, as well as Israeli companies with a presence in Israel, attended with the goal of connecting, col- laborating and creating synergies. They looked to open these doors with startups and other companies, researchers, government agencies, academic institutions and investors in the field of smart mobility. Ecomotion encourages innovation through a variety of events such as Meetups, Challenges, Bootcamps, the annual Main Event and more. Michigan networking’s success is not new. “We’ve had some great interest from several companies, already, ” Ward said. “When you look at previous delegations, one Israeli company the state of Michigan is already working with is Electreon — they’re building a first-in-the-U.S. wireless charging roadway in downtown Detroit. ” Bopp was more specific about his achievements. “ Along with attending Ecomotion, our delegation met a number of startups during sessions with Mobilion, Mobilitech Capital and Drive TLV , ” he said. Brunner, likewise, left Israel with an enhanced list for following up from his Lansing office. “I have made dozens of contacts with Israeli companies and am in the process of [coordinating] meetings; I already have multiple virtual follow-up meetings scheduled with these companies, along with some of the resource experts in our department to discuss potential oppor- tunities, ” he said. Katie Marx is a native Detroiter who works a hybrid position as managing director of Lambert’s public relations, investor relations and integrated marketing team, specializing in automotive, autotech, mobility,and aviation, aerospace and defense. “I was thrilled to connect with the great delegation traveling with the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator and was tickled to see such a strong and vibrant presence from my home state of Michigan David Riemenschneider Craig McGuire Roshni Shokar Katie Marx