Michigan Israel Business Bridge
6735 Telegraph Rd
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
248-642-1701
[email protected]
Pamela Lippitt
Executive Director
[email protected]
Mobile: 248-798-7824
Gil Pezza
Managing Director, Michigan Israel
Connect
[email protected]
Mobile: 313-613-4944
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Program introduction
2. The Five Ws (& One H) of the Michigan Israel Connect
3. Frequently Asked Questions
4. Letter of endorsement from Steve Arwood, CEO MEDC
Michigan Israel Connect (MIC) facilitates transformative innovation in Michigan and Israeli
entities -both large and small - by matching technology challenges with technology
solutions. MIC is a program of the Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB), powered through
a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Michigan Israel Connect is primarily aimed at matching technology collaborations between
Michigan and Israeli entities. The power of the program is through its listing platform found
on the MIBB website, which offers powerful resources to launch companies into the next
stage of their respective growth.
Michigan Israel Connect is much more than a business-to-business (B2B) network. In this
era when technologies can shape, impact and often disrupt both the present and the future
of entire business sectors, MIC provides robust matchmaking solutions. Companies can
enter and move rapidly through the offerings of technologies in a variety of sectors.
Most importantly, the Michigan Israel Connect can also provide a platform of entry into the
North American market for many Israeli start-up technology companies. MIBB will be
reaching out to companies to enroll in the program, and then connecting companies once
potential matches are found.
The program can be accessed anywhere, sitting within the MIBB website at:
www.michiganisraelconnect.com. Throughout the year there will also be regional seminars,
webinars, and programming both in Michigan and Israel.
Israel is a world leader in technology development and innovation, with top universities and
over 3,000 high tech companies centered in life science, cyber and homeland security,
alternative energy, water technologies and agritech, to name a few. As such, Israel is a
perfect match for Michigan, which has a myriad of research and development centers that
provide support and engineering for numerous industries.
Please join us.
Pamela Lippitt
Executive Director
Michigan Israel Business Bridge
Gil Pezza
Managing Director
Michigan Israel Connect
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB)?
A. Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB) is a non-profit bi-national chamber of commerce whose
mission is to promote business, investment and research opportunities between Michigan and Israel.
Q. What is the MEDC?
A. MEDC or Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the economic development arm of the
State of Michigan.
Q. What is the Michigan Israel Connect (MIC) program?
A. Michigan Israel Connect (MIC) is a technology procurement program in partnership between MEDC
and MIBB, aimed at promoting technology-based business collaborations between Michigan and Israeli
entities. MIC matches the technology needs of Michigan companies with solutions offered by Israeli
technology providers.
Q. What is the role of MIBB in the program?
A. MIBB runs MIC and is the facilitator of introductions, but it is up to the individual participants to
conduct their own due diligence and vetting process.
Q. Why should Michigan and Israeli companies work together?
A. Israel is a world leader in technology development and innovation, with top universities and over
3,000 high tech companies centered in life science, cyber and homeland security, alternative energy and
agritech. Michigan companies can use the MIC to identify and fill technology needs.
Q. Is there a free trade agreement between the United States and Israel?
A. Yes, the United States' first ever free trade agreement was signed with Israel in 1985. To learn more
about the free trade agreement and purchase certificates of origin click here.
Q. Who is eligible to participate?
A. All for-profit companies, utilities, hospitals, banks, incubators and university tech transfer offices that
are directly in need of technology solutions, or have one or more technologies (they own) to offer as
solution(s).
Q. How is this program different than other listing platforms?
A. MIBB has a dedicated managing director in Michigan and a representative in Israel to work with you
to identify, coordinate and accelerate technology collaborations.
Q. Is there a cost for participating in the MIC?
A. No, thanks to an MEDC grant, there is no cost for the participating companies at this time.
Q. How does MIC define a "Michigan company"?
A. Any Michigan-based for-profit company (including subsidiaries and affiliate of foreign-owned
companies), utility, hospital, bank, incubator, or university tech transfer office.
Q. How does MIC define an "Israel company”?
A. Any Israeli owned or Israeli-based for-profit company, utility, hospital, bank, incubator or university
tech transfer office.
Q. What happens after I submits my application?
A. You will receive an email within 3 business days acknowledging application receipt. You will be
contacted again when your form has been reviewed - usually not more than 5 business days.
Q. How do I know if a match has been found? And what happens next?
A. MIBB will notify you. If another company is interested, MIBB will make an introduction via email and
then your two companies can take it from there.
Q. Can my company join the program and still maintain anonymity?
A. Yes, you can opt to not disclose your company's identity to the other MIC participants.
Q. What if I am an independent consultant acting on behalf of an eligible company?
A. The independent consultant can be listed as the key contact, but the form should be filled out based
on the company request. If the consultant is acting on behalf of an undisclosed principal please contact
[email protected] for more details.
Q. Can my company's application be deleted/revoked after it has been submitted?
A. Yes, please send an email to that effect at [email protected].
Q. What if there is an error in the submitted application, or I want to update the information?
A. You can correct or update your information by sending an email reflecting the changes/correction you
want made at [email protected].
Q. Can I directly contact other companies in MIC?
A. Yes, once both companies approve and MIC has provided the introduction. Just contact us at
[email protected].
Q. Why are there multiple prompts for technologies requests on the intake form?
A. Because companies may have more than one technology they are either seeking or trying to place
and each technology will have a separate listing on the website platform.
Q. Do I need to report progress to MIBB?
A. We ask that companies notify us if they meet, sign an MOU or enter into a business
collaboration. This will allow us to give our funders important information (without specific company
names) and statistics that will help the program funding remain intact.
Q. If an Israeli company is planning a business trip to Michigan for meetings, can it rely on MIBB for
help?
A. Certainly, MIBB is not only a business matchmaker, it also assists companies in many areas during a
visit, from hotel suggestions and kosher meal options to securing introductions to prospects and VC’s
introductions.
Q. If a Michigan company is planning a business trip to Israel for meetings, can it rely on MIBB for
help?
A. Certainly, just give the office a call and we can help you with suggestions and additional introductions.
Q. How can MIBB help both Michigan and Israeli companies?
A. MIBB is recognized as a leader in making connections and creating opportunities for Michigan and
Israeli companies to meet through individual meetings, delegation visits and more. The members of the
MIBB board of directors and advisory council are business leaders from both Michigan and Israel.
Making connections for you is in our DNA.
Q. How can my company help MIC succeed?
A. That’s easy. Forward our information to your colleagues and have them sign up for the MIC too. They
can start by visiting www.michiganisraelconnect.com.
Q. I am a current member of MIBB and would like to donate services to the MIC program. How do I
sign up?
A. Click on this link and complete a short intake form. Thank you in advance.
Q. How do I join MIBB?
A. You can join MIBB on line or give us a call at 248-642-1701. We are here to answer your calls.
May 31, 2016
To whom it may concern:
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Israel Business Bridge
(MIBB) have entered into a strategic alliance to promote technology collaborations between Michigan
and Israeli companies. As you well know, Israel is a hub of innovation and the world’s best breeding
ground for high technology startup companies. Michigan, with its high concentration of corporate and
university research and development, is fertile grounds for Israeli technology companies that wish to
use Michigan as the platform of entry into the North American market.
To that end, with a grant from the MEDC, MIBB has launched the Michigan Israel Connect program,
which will match technology needs of Michigan companies with solutions offered by technology
providers from Israel. A key focus of the Michigan Israel Connect Program (MICP) is to enroll, on the
Michigan side, global corporations seeking innovative technologies and products to then facilitate
connections with Israeli companies that provide relevant solutions.
I am happy to endorse this program and hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity offered
through the Michigan Israel Connect Program. I wish your company continued success and growth in our
great State. If you have any questions or need more additional information, I can be reached at 517241-1400 or contact the Michigan Israel Business Bridge directly at 248-642-1701,
[email protected].
Sincerely,
Steve Arwood
CEO