Michigan-Israel Business Connections To Continue Momentum In 2024: Amid War and Tragedy, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator To Build On Milestones

DETROIT (January 18, 2024) – The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA), the nonprofit international trade organization committed to accelerating Michigan’s economic growth through Israeli corporate connections, continues its momentum that started during the COVID-19 pandemic and now persists despite the tragic conflict in Israel.

In 2023 alone, the MIBA generated 1,218 connections between Israeli and Michigan companies, facilitating $7 million in economic activity for the state of Michigan. Since just June of 2023, six Israeli companies established a physical presence in The Elevator- the first coworking space in the U.S. dedicated to help Israeli companies scale. Located in downtown Detroit, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Bedrock Detroit, The Elevator hosted more than 350 guests in the second half of 2023 to take advantage of Michigan’s thriving economic opportunities.?

Demand is also increasing for Michigan companies seeking business growth opportunities in Israel. Earlier this year, the MIBA facilitated visits for dozens of business leaders to Israel to explore opportunities in the health tech and mobility sectors.?

“Despite the turmoil in Israel, the country has maintained its global leadership in the innovative fields that Michigan is counting on to grow its economy and population,” said Scott Hiipakka, the CEO of the MIBA. “Our commitment to connecting communities between Israeli and Michigan innovators tackling today’s most pressing challenges remains steadfast. We are encouraged to see the demand for Israeli innovation in Michigan growing. As a result of these increased opportunities, the MIBA has expanded to five team members in Michigan and three in Israel, with further expansion efforts planned.”?

Example companies that have expanded into Michigan, recognizing the “power of The Elevator” include:

Fullpath is a leading automotive customer data and experience platform, having built a marketing automation solution for auto dealerships that automates and optimizes customer touch points throughout the life of a customer.??

Fullpath became one of the MIBA's charter members of The Elevator, signing on as a partner when it opened in June.? This gave Fullpath a place for their two Michigan-based employees to meet regularly in person for the first time.? The resulting improvement in team dynamics and productivity spurred Fullpath to institute two changes: 1) they named Detroit one of their worldwide hubs and 2) declared that new hires going forward must be hired in one of their hubs.??

As a result of their Elevator experience, Fullpath has already added one team member in the Detroit area and opens the way for more Michigan jobs to be created.????????

Expanding on Success in Michigan

GuardKnox is an AutoTech company developing products that address the key challenges in the new generation of vehicle architecture and enable the software-defined vehicle.

In 2020, this Israeli firm identified Michigan as the ideal place to open the headquarters for its U.S. wholly owned subsidiary, knowing that the major decision-makers in the automotive market are found here in the Detroit area. After finding success on the sales front, GuardKnox doubled-down on the Detroit-area, expanding their team by tapping into Michigan's talent base, adding an engineering team to develop their solutions here as well.??

GuardKnox is a prime example of how an Israeli company found a second home in Michigan by starting small and growing over time.??

"Michigan has proven to have everything the GuardKnox team needs for success.? Any Israeli company that aspires to succeed in the US should consider reaching out to the MIBA team sooner rather than later,” said Moshe Shlisel, CEO & Co Founder, GuardKnox Cyber Technologies.

About the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA)

The MIBA is a nonprofit international trade organization funded by the state of Michigan, philanthropic partners, and corporate sponsors committed to driving partnership opportunities, economic prosperity, and job creation between Michigan and Israel. For more information, visit www.michiganisrael.com.