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

