Michigan Israel Business Accelerator

Michigan Israel Business AcceleratorFounded| MIBB 2007; 19 years ago (2007) / MIBA 2017

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Type| 501(c)(3)
Focus| Economic Development
Location|

* Detroit, Michigan

Region served

| Michigan
Israel
Method| Trade missions
Website| michiganisrael.com

Formerly called

| Michigan Israel Business Bridge

The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA) is an independent nonprofit economic development organization based in Detroit, Michigan.

It was founded in 2007 as the Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB), which focused on strengthening business relationships between Michigan and Israel through convening, networking, and trade engagement.

In 2017, the MIBB transitioned into MIBA, reflecting an expanded focus on economic development, business growth, technology transfer, and helping Israeli companies enter the U.S. market through Michigan.

According to the organization, MIBA has generated more than $90 million in economic impact for Michigan since 2021, connected more than 5,000 business leaders between Michigan and Israel, and facilitated the exchange of more than 300 delegates.[1][2]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Programs and Activities
* 3 See also
* 4 References
* 5 External links

## History

The Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB) was co-founded by Charles (Chuck) Newman and Susan Herman in 2007. Newman and Herman assisted a Michigan State University student's efforts to launch an exhibition featuring Israeli business and technology. The success of that event and others like it in Lansing and Grand Rapids compelled Newman to create MIBB.[3][4] Haifa native Hannan Lis, CEO of Lis Ventures LLC and former president of the American Technion Society, is a third co-founder.[5] Ron Perry of Ann Arbor, formerly with Medtronic, was taken on as executive director in 2008.[6] Pamela Lippitt, formerly with the Zionist Organization of America, was named executive director in 2010.[7]

In the years that followed, Michigan’s engagement with Israel expanded as state leaders placed greater emphasis on innovation, technology partnerships, and international economic collaboration. This broader shift contributed to MIBB’s later transition into the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator, reflecting a greater focus on business development, technology commercialization, and supporting Israeli companies entering the U.S. market through Michigan.

## Programs and Activities

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm addressed the second annual Michigan Israel Business Bridge automotive partnership conference in Israel in 2008.[8][9] In 2009, MIBB partnered with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute and Automation Alley bringing together local Michigan executives and representatives from thirteen Israeli companies to discuss global economic challenges in Troy.[10] Wayne State University and MIBB partnered in 2011 to launch the Michigan Israel Business Bridge internship program.[11]

As of the 2020s, the organization’s work has expanded to include structured trade missions, targeted business matchmaking, and support for Israeli companies establishing a presence in Michigan through its soft-landing program, The Elevator.[12] In 2026, MIBA served as Michigan’s representative to the BIRD Foundation and supported early collaboration with Israeli government partners on a soft-landing framework.

## See also

* BIRD Foundation
* Economy of Michigan
* Economy of Israel
* Start-up Nation
* U.S.–Israel relations

## References

1. ↑ "Collaborative business opportunities for Michigan and Israel is Thursday topic in Kalamazoo". MLive.com. Kalamazoo Gazette (Kalamazoo). 2 November 2010. http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/11/collaborative_business_opporun.html. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
2. ↑ Archambault, Dennis (23 February 2012). "Building Another International Bridge... to Israel's Entrepreneurs". Metromode. http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/MIBB0244.aspx. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
3. ↑ "Wayne State University Receives $10,000 to Support Michigan Israel Business Bridge Internships". Reuters. PR Newswire (Detroit). 5 January 2011. https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/05/idUS183339+05-Jan-2011+PRN20110105. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
4. ↑ Freed, Ben (19 June 2012). "'The Michigan automotive industry will benefit' says Michigan Israel Business Bridge founder Chuck Newman". AnnArbor.com. http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/michigan-israel-business-bridge-founded-by-chuck-newman-hosting-breakfast-for-automotive-industry-an/. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
5. ↑ "News Briefs, 2-22-12: Bead and Bread Club Radiothon, Israeli secrets revealed, Property tax forum". Daily Tribune (Oak Park). 21 February 2012. http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2012/02/21/news/doc4f443c720e306228850182.txt. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
6. ↑ "Ann Arbor area business people on the move". MLive.com. The Ann Arbor News. 14 May 2008. http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/05/ann_arbor_area_business_people_2.html. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
7. ↑ "Lippitt Named Executive Director Michigan Israel Business Bridge". Michigan Technology News. 30 November 2010. http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=12474. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
8. ↑ "Granholm leaves for Middle East tomorrow". Upper Michigans Source.com (Lansing). 13 November 2008. http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=221782#.T0Y2roHhdtM. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
9. ↑ "Granholm signs water technologies agreement". Crain's Detroit Business. AP (Lansing). 17 November 2008. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20081117/FREE/811170240/-1. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
10. ↑ Lewis, Mark (21 January 2009). "Michigan, Israeli companies share business growth ideas". Crain's Detroit Business. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20090121/FREE/901219978/-1. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
11. ↑ "School of Business receives $10,000 to support Michigan Israel Business Bridge internships". Wayne State University. 5 January 2011. http://business.wayne.edu/news.php?id=5515. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
12. ↑ Burns, Krishaun (2023-06-12). "New 'Landing Zone' Offers Space for Israeli Entrepreneurs to Get a Foothold in Michigan" (in en-US). https://www.detroitchamber.com/new-landing-zone-offers-space-for-israeli-entrepreneurs-to-get-a-foothold-in-michigan/.

## External links

* Cooperation Between Israel and the State of Michigan – Jewish Virtual Library

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