30 | OCTOBER 5 • 2023 J
N
OUR COMMUNITY
F
or the third year in a row,
the Michigan-Israel Business
Accelerator (MIBA) will be holding
its annual Taste of Two Nations Wine
Tasting Fundraiser on Oct. 12.
While the event’s first two years were
held in Birmingham, this year will see a
change in venue.
The event will take place at Detroit’s
newest innovation hub, Newlab Detroit,
in the historic Book Depository on the
campus of Michigan Central. Newlab at
Michigan Central is a building for startups
that have a focus on working toward a
future of mobility. The facility hosts many
Michigan startups and ecosystem-enablers
from an innovation perspective.
“In years past, we were doing this in a
more conference-type venue versus this
true startup innovation ecosystem,
” said
MIBA CEO Scott Hiipakka.
“It really fits what we do as
we build partnerships to
drive economic prosperity by
leveraging the startup nation
and innovation between
Michigan and Israel.
”
Attendees will immerse
themselves in the realm of innovation while
enjoying a night of wine tasting, a strolling
dinner and the opportunity to network
with friends and colleagues. The event
will offer wines from all across the world,
including from both Israel and Michigan.
The event also provides an opportunity
to join MIBA in honoring its innovation
partners across Michigan with its
traditional awards ceremony. In years past,
Henry Ford Health System, the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation,
Lawrence Tech’s Centrepolis Accelerator
and DTE Energy have been among the
award recipients.
Guests will be able to walk through the
facility and see various types of innovation
from startup partners from Michigan.
MIBA is also looking at bringing in Israeli
companies and having them showcase their
innovation as well.
“There’s a model car in there, different
electric vehicles, different types of personal
individual mobility systems and other types
of startup ecosystem innovation examples,
”
Hiipakka said. “The facility itself has been
completely refurbished to create a unique
community from a startup ecosystem
perspective, which is what we partner with.
We’re excited about this year’s event and
the opportunity to host it at a really cool
location.
”
Hiipakka says MIBA hopes to showcase
the community of partners they’re lucky to
have in the state.
“We have such a strong network of
organizations and people committed to
MIBA — and they’re committed to what
the partnership means between Michigan
and Israel. The role for MIBA continues
to grow through partnerships, and we’re
excited to showcase that on the evening of
the 12th.
”
To buy tickets, learn about sponsorship levels and
more, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/s9h.
Michigan-Israel Business Accelerator’s annual fundraising event
returns — this year taking place in a new, innovative venue.
MIBA’s Taste of Two Nations
Wine Tasting Fundraiser Returns
Scott
Hiipakka
DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER