Consumer’s Energy Foundation Grants $25,000 to Drive Michigan – Israel Innovation
The Consumers Energy Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA), reinforcing its commitment to bolstering Michigan’s thriving innovation ecosystem. Since its establishment in 2017, MIBA has played a pivotal role within the economic development space as a prominent facilitator of trade and partnership development between Michigan and Israel.
The generous support from the Consumers Energy Foundation will enable MIBA to expand its range of services — including curated matchmaking, programming, and networking opportunities— to facilitate successful partnerships between Israeli innovators and Michigan enterprises.
This expansion comes as a direct result of MIBA’s groundbreaking launch of The Elevator, the first-of-its-kind landing zone in the US exclusively for Israeli startups and companies that is a significant step toward introducing a greater number of cutting-edge and cost-saving technologies to Michigan. “We are 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.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of any community, and we’re proud to provide a grant that will help support the entrepreneurs bringing these businesses to life,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, secretary/treasurer of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “We look forward to seeing the impact this grant has to help accelerate innovation and economic growth in Michigan.”
In alignment with the Consumers Energy Foundation’s mission of investing in people and Michigan’s prosperity, MIBA works with startups and businesses of all sizes to create positive economic activity in Michigan. MIBA has created hundreds of connections between Michigan and Israeli businesses. In the last 18 months alone, the MIBA has supported 34 collaborations resulting in over $4.8 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
Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA) is a 501c(3) and 501c(6) non-profit economic development and non-governmental organization committed to fostering partnerships between Israeli and Michigan businesses. MIBA’s mission is to create economic opportunities and drive job creation through collaboration and innovation.
For more information, visit www.michiganisrael.com.
About Consumers Energy Foundation
The Consumers Energy Foundation is the charitable arm of Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider. The Foundation contributes to the growth and strengthening of Michigan communities by investing in what’s most important — our people, our planet and Michigan’s prosperity. In 2022, the Consumers Energy Foundation, Consumers Energy, its employees and retirees contributed more than $18.5 million to Michigan nonprofits.