History of the Michigan Israel Business Bridge

It made perfect sense to Chuck Newman and Susan Herman. Michigan was rich human and natural resources and an economy in the doldrums. Israel had a vibrant technological workforce and the desire to expand manufacturing, development and distribution to North America. Here was a good business proposition and a match made in heaven.

Chuck and Susan scheduled a meeting to see if there was interest. The first breakfast meeting was scheduled for February 23^rd, 2007 at Weber’s restaurant in Ann Arbor. Twenty participants were expected to attend. After 40 arrived, there wasn’t room for any more. This is how the Michigan Israel Business Bridge was born.

Additional meetings were held in Rochester, East Lansing and Grand Rapids. Participants at each meeting were enthusiastic about the formation of MIBB. Work began to incorporate as a non-profit 501(c)3 business association.

Beginning as a purely volunteer organization, MIBB quickly showed it effectiveness by inviting seven Israeli companies to Michigan to consider locating their North American operations here.

That August, MIBB representatives participated with several State legislators in a trade mission to Israel.

In November, 16 Israeli auto related companies attended a match-making event to meet 10 U.S. auto companies. New business deals that were unimaginable the prior year, were made between Israeli and Michigan based companies.

None of this could have happened without the MIBB. The Michigan Israel Business Bridge is expanding its efforts, hiring a professional staff, and quickly becoming a major matchmaker for deals between Israeli and Michigan companies.