To Israeli innovators: The US market Is still yours to win - opinion

MIBA CEO Mark Davidoff and board chair Howard Handler argue that US midterm election results should not deter Israeli companies from the American market. They highlight the launch of the US–Israel Innovation Exchange, a network of 31 US economic organizations providing a single gateway for Israeli startups, citing $45 million in economic activity from MIBA and $13.3 billion from 650 Israeli companies in New York.

The authors, Mark Davidoff (CEO of the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator) and Howard Handler (Chair of its Board), argue that US midterm election results should not change Israeli companies' plans to do business in the United States, particularly in Michigan. They state that economic ties are among the most durable parts of the US-Israel relationship, built in boardrooms and through business relationships, not election cycles. The article highlights the launch of the US–Israel Innovation Exchange (USIIE), a network of 31 economic organizations from across the US that offers Israeli companies a single gateway to the American market. It cites figures: MIBA has hosted more than 100 Israeli companies and generated over $45 million in economic activity; New York hosts approximately 650 Israeli companies providing 28,500 jobs and generating $13.3 billion in economic value. The authors emphasize that success depends on execution—finding customers, running pilots, meeting regulatory requirements—and that the infrastructure built by companies, universities, and economic development professionals endures through changes in leadership.