The Consumers Energy Foundation Provides $25,000 to Advance Michigan-Israeli Innovation
The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator Foundation (MIBA/F) has received a $25,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation to support Michigan’s innovation ecosystem. The MIBA accomplishes its mission of “accelerating Michigan’s economic growth, one Israeli innovation at a time” by creating an assortment of opportunities for business-to-business and business-to-government interactions that include trade missions and curated connections.
The Consumers Energy Foundation’s support will allow the MIBA to continue accelerating opportunities to create jobs, build partnerships, and help establish Michigan as a premier partner for Israeli innovation.
“We are very grateful to the Consumers Energy Foundation for their ongoing partnership and support to the MIBA as we mutually continue our efforts to move Michigan’s innovation and overall economic prosperity forward,” said Scott Hiipakka, CEO of the MIBA, the state of Michigan’s lead economic growth partner with Israel.
“We are committed to creating jobs and supporting Michigan’s entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, secretary/treasurer of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “We are excited to support the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator Foundation and accelerate innovation and economic growth in Michigan.”
In alignment with the Consumers Energy Foundation’s mission of investing in people and Michigan’s prosperity, the MIBA works with startups and businesses of all sizes to create positive economic activity in Michigan. Since being founded in 2017, the MIBA has created hundreds of connections between Michigan and Israeli businesses. In the last 18 months alone, the MIBA has supported 30 collaborations resulting in over $4 million in economic activity.
“Partnerships like we have with the Consumers Energy Foundation are essential to continue the work we do day in and day out,” said Bernard Bourgeois, Director of Ecosystem Development at the MIBA. “The impact we can have in Michigan is transformational and it can’t happen without support like this.”
###
About the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator
The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA) is a 501c(3) and 501c(6) nonprofit economic development organization that generates economic opportunities, expands potential job creation and provides support for Michigan’s businesses. For more information, visit www.michiganisrael.com.
About the Consumers Energy Foundation
The Consumers Energy Foundation is the charitable arm of Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider. The Foundation enables communities to thrive and grow by investing in what’s most important to Michigan — its people, our planet and Michigan’s prosperity. In 2021, the Consumers Energy Foundation, Consumers Energy, its employees and retirees contributed over $17.5 million to Michigan nonprofits. For more information, visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/foundation