Taking Israeli Innovation to the Next Level 

Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA), an economic development organization, recently unveiled “The Elevator” as the first landing zone exclusively for Israeli startups in the US.  With a dedicated focus on forging connections between Israeli startups and companies and Michigan enterprises, The Elevator aims to accelerate business expansions in Michigan.

The launch of The Elevator signifies a significant step towards introducing a greater number of Israel’s cutting-edge and cost-saving technologies to Michigan. By doing so, it seeks to accelerate Michigan’s economic growth and cultivate its thriving innovation ecosystem.

“The strategic partnership between Michigan and Israel has created a dynamic environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and mutual prosperity,” said Scott Hiipakka, CEO of MIBA. “The launch of The Elevator truly takes this relationship to the next level, and we look forward to the transformative opportunities it will generate for Israeli startups and Michigan businesses alike.” 

The Elevator serves as a platform that expands upon MIBA’s existing services that connect Israeli innovators with synergistic Michigan partners to foster collaborative and strategic partnerships for mutual benefit.  The Elevator’s added offerings include regular networking events that bring together ecosystem partners and facilitate introductions between Israeli partners and Michigan businesses. Moreover, educational programs will be provided, focusing on market penetration techniques such as sales training and marketing strategies to accelerate expansions.

Members of The Elevator will not only gain access to corporate enablers, experts, and preferred resources – such as legal, marketing, and accounting – they will also have the opportunity to participate in regularly scheduled strategic events and mixers that align with membership interests and notable conferences held in metro Detroit.

Michigan stands out as an advantageous choice for Israeli companies due to its distinguished ranking among the top 10 regions that offer competitive business opportunities, as acknowledged by Site Selection.  Furthermore, Detroit has garnered international recognition as the leading emerging startup ecosystem worldwide, according to Startup Genome’s research. These prestigious accolades position Michigan as an appealing destination for Israeli companies seeking favorable business prospects and dynamic startup ecosystems.

“I take great pride in being part of Michigan’s vibrant business landscape that serves as a global magnet for innovation,” expressed Matt Elliott, MIBA Board Chair . “With this announcement, MIBA is taking a huge leap toward our vision to position Michigan as the premier partner for Israeli innovation in the US.  It is an exciting time to be involved in Michigan’s business community, as we actively contribute to its thriving entrepreneurial spirit and ongoing success.”

The Elevator is proud to announce three visionary Israeli companies have made their mark as charter members of The Elevator, showcasing their commitment to innovation and growth: GuardKnox, FullPath, and SkillReal.  

• Guardknox: A premier automotive and defense technology and engineering company, GuardKnox has grown from its first two business development resources to a fully separate US company, adding a small team of engineers to service its domestic business.  

• FullPath (formerly AutoLeadStar): As the automotive industry’s leading Customer Data and Experience Platform, FullPath enables dealerships to cultivate enduring customer relationships by seamlessly integrating disparate data sources and harnessing the potential of this data to curate unparalleled, hyper-personalized experiences for each individual customer.

• SkillReal: Centrepolis I4.0 Accelerator has selected SkillReal’s cutting-edge digital twin alignment technology, which offers augmented reality measurement capabilities on-screen, for their growth program. 

Membership at The Elevator grants complimentary access to an array of amenities including dedicated and flexible office space, conference rooms, 360° video conferencing capabilities with an 86″ display screen, high-speed internet connectivity, high-capacity printing, a convenient kitchenette, and a US mailing address with mail delivery service to an assigned locker.  Moreover, The Elevator benefits from an exceptional location with convenient access to various modes of public transportation, including the Q-line, bus routes, and major freeways that ensure seamless connectivity for its members.  Additionally, MIBA is fully prepared to assist companies in connecting with housing and parking partners.