business SPOTlight

brought to you in partnership with 
B I R M I N G H A M

 

28 | AUGUST 8 • 2024 
J
N

T

he current conflict in 
Israel isn’t stopping 
Michigan’s efforts, 
through the Michigan Israel 
Business Accelerator (MIBA), 
to build partnerships with 
Israel. 
In June, the MIBA, in 
collaboration with the state 
of Michigan, supported the 
EcoMotion Assembly 2024: 
Mobility Innovation in Times 
of Disruption (EMA24) in 
Israel. 
Through a combination 

of in-person and virtual 
meetings through the online 
“Portal to Michigan,” the 
MIBA brought together 
a high-powered lineup of 
partners to the conference. 
Michigan’s presence 
included industry, 
government, investors, and 
other partners who were 
able to connect with local 
technology legacy companies 
and startups that flocked to 
learn about the Michigan 
mobility startup support 

ecosystem over video 
conferences and meetings 
fueled by fresh Frappuccino, 
AKA slushy, freezing-cold, 
blended coffee beverages.
EMA24’s focus flipped the 
typical script by bringing 
together its mobility tech 
ecosystem with more than 
750 startups and 16,000 
community members to 
connect with one another 
and with 
interested 
partners overseas 
through one-
on-one video 
conference 
and multi-site 
webinars. On site 
were more than 
1,300 attendees, 61 speakers, 
35 partners and 50 exhibitors, 
including MIBA, led by CEO 
Scott Hiipakka and, based 
in Israel, Naomi Miller, Liza 

Yedwab and Esther Lowey.
EcoMotion advances 
the smart mobility sector 
through technology and 
innovation by supporting 
startups to grow and 
addressing the challenges 
of the global mobility 
ecosystem. It comprises 
a dynamic and growing 
community in the Smart 
Mobility field.
 “I’m here on my 12th trip 
to Israel to build partnerships 
between Michigan and Israel 
that will create job and 
economic growth in both 
places,” said Hiipakka, who 
came to MIBA’s top job five 
years ago.
Hiipakka, a Michigan 
State University alumnus, 
U.S. Army veteran, and 
with more than 25 years in 
the Army, most recently as 
the Commanding General 
of the 46th Military Police 
Command, embraces 
innovation in technology, 
human relations and 
strengthening his state of 
Michigan, along with Israel. 
“My job is to reach out and 
build those partnerships that 
strengthen both Michigan 
and Israel. And my coming 
to Israel demonstrates 
Michigan’s and MIBA’s 
commitment to Israeli 
innovation,” said Hiipakka, 
also a Michigan National 
Guard Brigadier General.
“We’re about teamwork, 
transparency and trust, 
the building blocks of 
partnerships,” he said, 
describing the purpose of 
his visit, which is “to educate 
the Israeli community on 
opportunities in Michigan 
and how they can be 
successful in Michigan.” 

Keeping the 
Foot on the Gas

MIBA accelerates Israeli startups 
coming to Michigan.

NATHANIEL WARSHAY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MIBA 
CEO Scott 
Hiipakka

PHOTOS: DEBBIE HILL

Israeli startup 
entrepreneurs speak 
with Michigan funders 
and potential partners 
at the portal.