MARCH 14 • 2024 | 45

University and value the deter-
mination of Israelis in their 
continuation to build and 
innovate even under the most 
stressful situations like war. 

“The number of startups 
that are emerging (from 
Reichman) is huge, and the 
investors really understood 
that the current challenges 
and disagreements (within the 
Israeli government) will not 
affect our business activity,” 
Rom said. “There is trust and 
investment in the fund. They 
see that even during the war, 
we remain focused on busi-
ness. We are not going to let 
this venture be threatened by 
anything.” 

WORKING WITH MIBA
This month, RUNI will 
make its first visit to Detroit 
as it introduces itself to the 
Michigan Israel Business 

Accelerator (MIBA). 

MIBA CEO Scott Hiipakka 
said the welcome mat in 
Michigan is rolled 
out for RUNI 
and other Israeli 
business ventures. 
Michigan’s busi-
ness focal points 
in technological 
advancements in 
automotive mobility, space, 
healthcare, sustainability, food 
production, agriculture and 
advanced manufacturing mesh 
well with Israeli innovation. 
Hiipakka has visited with his 
Israeli counterparts many 
times, including trips since 
Oct. 7. 
“Opportunities between 
Israel’s and Michigan’s busi-
ness innovators are massive 
when it comes to growing our 
economies,” said Hiipakka, 
speaking to an in-person and 

virtual audience of Israelis 
and Michiganders at a Feb. 14 
Israel economic update event. 
“We invite Israeli companies 
to visit Michigan to build eco-
nomic partnerships and pro-
mote economic and job growth 
in our state. The synergy 
between Michigan and Israel is 
strong and so we’re excited to 
harness Israeli innovation and 
chutzpah in our state.” 
One standouts in RUNI’s 
portfolio is PredictDO, an 
insurance technology startup 
that uses a form of Artificial 
Intelligence called machine 
learning to empower deci-
sion-making capabilities of 
insurance underwriters. The 
startup’s algorithm helps large 
companies predict conditions 
that would make them vulner-
able to class-action lawsuits. 
As Jewish university students 
navigate increasingly hostile 

campuses in North America, 
Rom encouraged them to 
apply to Reichman University. 
She said even before the war, 
half the students enrolling at 
Reichman are not Israeli. 
“The best way for Israelis 
and Jews around the world 
to cope with antisemitism 
on campuses is to work very 
hard,” Rom said. “We are 
looking to bring brilliant 
students from Detroit to 
Israel and study on our 
campus, where they enroll in 
coursework taught in English. 
Tuition here is lower than 
universities in the United 
States. I think that we will 
begin to see the shift of Jewish 
students begin to enroll in 
Israeli universities instead of 
American universities where 
they can get a solid college 
education while feeling 
supported and safe.” 

Scott 
Hiipakka

WITH GARY GULMAN
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SPOTLIGHT EVENT

J E W I S H F A M I L Y S E R V I C E 

Chairs: Gail Danto & Art Roffey 

Jordon & Alex Wertheimer

ALSO HONORING

RABBI DANIEL SYME

for his work in suicide prevention

Shining a light on mental health and suicide prevention in our community.

Sponsored by the Reva Stocker Lecture Series

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

7PM | FLAGSTAR STRAND THEATRE

TICKETS $100

FOR TICKETS AND 
SPONSORSHIPS VISIT

JFSSPOTLIGHTEVENT.ORG

OR CALL 248.592.2339

Join us as we welcome 
stand-up comic Gar y Gulman
whose authentic stor ytelling and 
brilliant humor provide a little 
levity around the serious issue 
of mental health.