Officers
Chuck Newman, President
Joseph A. Parini, Vice President
Noam Y. Raz, Vice President
Susan Herman, Secretary
Jeff Chutz, Treasurer
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We Thank Our Founders and Corporate Level Partners
Founder's Society
Hannan Lis
Mike Levine
Scott Kellman
Ralph Gerson
Corporate Sponsors
Jay Levin
Corporate Patrons
Mark Bernstein
Mark Milgrom
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Michigan Links
Israel Links
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From the President and Executive Director
Dear MIBB members,
Hope everyone is doing well adjusting their routines from the summer to the hustle and bustle of fall. Here is a quick update on recent and future activities.
Our recent luncheon in Lansing on Sep. 5 with special guests Gershon Kedar and Bob Schwartz from the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest was very successful. Mssrs. Kedar and Schwartz, along with representatives of MIBB and LEAP, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, had a very productive discussion with key Lansing businesspeople about potential Michigan-Israel business opportunities.
The 2nd annual Israel-Michigan automotive partnering event is being planned, however, due to some other events the dates will now likely change to December or January 2009. Stay tuned for further details on this event as well as upcoming membership meetings.
A big "thank you" to our membership for responding to our call to serve on MIBB task forces. The power of our organization is largely based on the active involvement of our members. The new task forces formed include membership/events, website, and our industry cluster groups in automotive/manufacturing, life sciences, alternative energy, homeland security, and IT/software. The industry cluster groups will evaluate new business opportunities in each of their respective sectors. Members of each task force are listed below. If you are not listed but would like to join one of these groups, please contact Ron.
Again, we encourage everyone to read through our active "deal pipeline" below. Access to complete information on these opportunities is a key benefit to MIBB members. If you are not a member and would like to join, please contact Ron.
For those of you celebrating the upcoming Jewish holidays, we wish you a happy and prosperous new year.
All the best.
Ron Perry, Executive Director
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Chuck Newman, President
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Business Opportunities Available to Members
The following is a list of companies that have approached the MIBB. These business opportunities are exclusively available to MIBB members. For further information on a specific opportunity(ies), please contact Ron.
AUTOMOTIVE
NEW - Established Israeli manufacturer of accessories for off road and 4x4 vehicles seeks Michigan representative with warehouse to store, distribute and market its products in the US.
Established Israeli automotive parts company seeks variety of U.S. business opportunities. In order of priority (a) acquiring starter battery manufacturer, (b) acquiring lead acid battery
recycling operation, (c) collaborating with automotive accessories company, and (d) collaborating with companies developing new battery technology and electric/hybrid vehicles.
CONSUMER
Michigan inventor seeks business collaboration with Israeli board game companies to manufacture, distribute, and/or market new chess game variant endorsed by 7 international grandmasters.
COSMETICS
Israeli company producing all natural cosmetics and essential oils seeks U.S. distribution partner.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Established Israeli-based developer of optical, opto-mechanical, and electro-optical systems for homeland security defense applications seeks new customers in the U.S. market, as well as $3M expansion capital to establish business presence in Michigan. Company already has local representative in Michigan.
LIFE SCIENCES
NEW - Israeli medical device company with revolutionary diagnostic technology for rapid detection of infectious diseases seeks $11M in second round funding to complete clinical research and regulatory activities and bring product to market in the US.
Michigan-based medical device start-up founded by Israeli entrepreneurs seeks $400K seed investment to develop innovative glucose monitoring and insulin dosaging product for diabetics. Company has secured commitment for $100K and seeks other Michigan co-investor(s).
Israeli venture-backed company with gene-based therapy solutions for peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease patients seeks $5-6M in new US-based financing round. Company currently conducting Phase I/IIa human clinical trials. University of Michigan is central U.S. investigation site. Company would potentially establish in Ann Arbor pending funding.
Established Israeli company specializing in design, engineering and production of plastic and electronics products seeks business partnerships with Michigan-based medical device manufacturers
to help penetrate the US market. Also seeking assistance in reaching customers in manufacturing, auto, and military markets.
Israeli pharmaceutical start-up developing therapies for age-related macular degeneration and non-small cell lung cancer seeks $800K in new funding to be co-invested with previous round investors. Company would potentially establish Ann Arbor site to pursue pre-clinical research trial with University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Institute.
Israeli pharmaceutical start-up developing nitric-oxide based therapies for hypertension, epilepsy and other clinical applications seeks $5M investment for R&D and establishment of Michigan-based site.
Israeli medical device start-up that has developed intra-ocular lens implant for post-cataract surgery patients, thus eliminating need for eyeglasses, seeks $3-4M investment to gain regulatory
approval and enter the U.S. market.
Israeli medical device start-up that has developed device based-solutions to treat sufferers of dry mouth (xerostomia) seeks strategic business partnerships with US oral-health companies.
Israeli biotech start-up seeks $1M post-incubator investment to further develop gene therapy platform for HIV/AIDS therapy. Company also seeks scientific collaboration with HIV/AIDS
researchers.
Israeli company that develops multimedia products for life science companies (marketing and promotional videos/simulations, presentations, training programs, and web design/development)
seeking to sell its services in the Michigan and U.S. markets. Interested members can contact Ron for link to demos.
MANUFACTURING
Early stage Israeli company with Michigan office seeks $3M in growth capital to enhance U.S. sales and marketing for innovative technology that automates welding for complex, small batch
manufacturing.
Established Israeli company specializing in design, engineering and production of plastic and electronic products seeks business partnerships with Michigan-based medical device manufacturers
to help penetrate the U.S. market. Also seeking assistance in reaching customers in auto, manufacturing, and military markets.
Established Israeli product design and development company seeks new customer contacts in Michigan with companies that manufacture individual mobility products.
SOFTWARE
Israeli web 2.0 company seeks partnership with Michigan insurance company to be a beta site for its software. Company develops unique web-based technology to enhance online customer interaction experience.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Michigan subsidiary of Israeli telecommunications company seeking new customers for its data and voice broadband monitoring solutions.
TRANSPORTATION
Israeli-based company developing new technology to increase durability of railroad tracks seeks €700K capital investment and U.S.-based strategic partnerships.
Established Israeli company with unique fleet management and monitoring system, which helps reduce costs and increase driver safety, seeks Michigan customers in heavy vehicle market.
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Other MIBB News
MIBB Hosts Lunch Discussion with Lansing Businesspeople and Representatives from the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest.
On September 5, the MIBB and LEAP, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, held a luncheon with key Lansing businesspeople and special guests Gershon Kedar, Deputy Consul General, and Bob Schwartz, Special Policy Advisor, of the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. The meeting was very productive and featured discussions about potential Michigan-Israel business opportunities.
Arthur Horwitz, MIBB Board Member, Honored by Jewish National Fund
The Michigan Israel Business Bridge is pleased to announce that one of our board members, Arthur Horwitz, was recently honored with the JNF's TREE OF LIFE Award. The award is given in recognition of outstanding community involvement and dedication to the cause of the American-Israeli friendship. Mr. Horwitz serves as president of Renaissance Media, LLC, the holding company for the Detroit Jewish News, of which he is publisher.
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Member Spotlight
When asked why he joined the MIBB, Dr. Reuven Katz, a native Israeli, replied simply, "first and foremost, I believe in its goals." He continued from the mindset of an Israeli business owner looking to penetrate the U.S. market, saying, "bridging the Michigan and Israeli markets is great but it also provides an opportunity for my business to establish operations in Michigan. The MIBB provides invaluable support and contacts to make this happen."
Reuven believes it is important for others to join the MIBB because it is "an opportunity to expose yourself to Michigan companies, investors, and new ventures, as well as to support the economic development of Michigan."
Reuven received his bachelors and masters degrees from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, his PhD from the University of Michigan, and his MBA from the University of Tel-Aviv. In addition to being a research scientist at the NSF Engineering Research Center for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems at the University of Michigan College of Engineering, he is also co-managing director and owner of Senso-Optics, an electro-optics company that develops visual information systems for the homeland security and military sectors.
NOTE: Senso-Optics is actively looking for homeland security and military customers in Michigan, and is seeking to raise $3M to establish a U.S. subsidiary in Michigan. Members who are interested in this opportunity, please contact Ron for further details.
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| New Task Forces Formed
We are pleased to announce the formation of several task forces to further the objectives of MIBB. If you are not listed below and would like to join one of these groups, please contact Ron. Also, please note that additional task forces are in the process of being created (fundraising, marketing, professional services, and Israel activities) which you may also join.
Each task force will meet approximately once per month (usually by phone). Kickoff meetings will take place shortly.
Membership/Events
Objective: To maximize the value of membership in MIBB.
Chair: Robyn Lederman
Members: Adam Kaplan, Ron Lederman, Jay Levin, Shel Markel, Mark Milgrom, Howard Sherizen
Website
Objective: To maintain and further develop the MIBB website.
Chair: Michael Fried
Members: David Zimet
Automotive/Manufacturing
Objective: To evaluate automotive and manufacturing-related business opportunities for the MIBB.
Chair: TBD
Members: Norm Bash, Gahl Berkooz, Eyal Dolev, Sam Fine, Clara Mager, Stan Meretsky, Mark Nadel, John Poris, Jeff Risius, Matthew Stein
Life Sciences
Objective: To evaluate life science-related business opportunities for the MIBB.
Chair: TBD
Members: Jim Adox, Herb Aronow MD, Mark Bernstein, Jerry Callahan, Jeff Chutz, Adam Kaplan, Michael Ketslakh, Allen Krass, Jay Levin, Shel Markel, Chris Mitchell, Stephen Rapundalo, Ilan Rubinfeld MD
Alternative Energy
Objective: To evaluate alternative energy-related business opportunities for the MIBB.
Chair: Jerold Zwas
Members: Jeffery Basch, Norm Bash, Howard Edelson, Beth Gotthelf, Adam Kaplan, Allen Krass, Ron Lederman MD, Gil Pezza, John Poris
Homeland Security
Objective: To evaluate homeland security-related business opportunities for the MIBB.
Chair: TBD
Members: Jeffery Basch, Reuven Katz, Jack Miner, Jeff Moss, Joe Parini
IT/Software
Objective: To evaluate IT/software-related business opportunities for the MIBB.
Chair: TBD
Members: Gahl Berkooz, Hannan Lis, Sam Rozenberg, Jim Scapa, Rich Sheridan, Bob Sims
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Membership Information
MIBB has already recruited prestigious businesspeople, venture capitalists, law firms, accounting firms and others to be members. Membership in MIBB is good for Michigan, good for Israel, and good for your business. As a member of MIBB you will be able to play a direct part in improving the economy of Michigan and Israel. MIBB membership will allow you to profit from the matchmaking efforts of its staff and members.
To find out out more about becoming a member click here. To download a membership application, please visit our website or click here.
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MIBB Would Like to Thank All Members for Their Support
For more information on becoming a member, please visit our website by clicking here.
MIBB extends a warm welcome to its newest members:
Professionals
Jeffrey Basch
Murray Gorchow
Adam Kaplan
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Activities 
