A select group of the UK’s most successful, fast-growing technology companies have been awarded the opportunity to take part in a trade mission to Silicon Valley in the US. For one week they will showcase their unique technologies and work towards opening up their businesses to an international market.
The Web Mission 2011 will give the entrepreneurs behind 19 growing web technology companies the opportunity to engage with top people from US technology businesses such as Twitter. Over $60m has been raised in private finance by companies that attended two previous Web Missions.
The mission is sponsored by; the Technology Strategy Board, UK Trade and Investment and Orrick’s Emerging Companies Group and supported and delivered by partners; Polecat, the Co-Sponsorship Agency and The Long Run Venture. The goal of the mission is to help entrepreneurs in the UK’s web technology sector to take their businesses into the global marketplace.
The pace at which current technology trends evolve stimulates the need for business innovation and the UK companies will see just how US businesses are addressing these market opportunities. The mission, which takes place March 5 – 11 2011, is designed to ensure that the businesses taking part benefit from the collective impact of a well-run trade mission.
The companies, already highly successful in the UK, will meet the media as well as peers from around the world, investors and potential partners. They will also engage with experts on the financial and public policy agendas relevant to web technology businesses operating in the US.
A range of web technologies are being showcased including innovative online booking services using social media, application optimisation technology, marketing optimisation tools, production and delivery of e-content and new forms of cloud -based file sharing.
Sam Barnett, CEO of one of the successful companies, STRUQ said:
“The Web Mission is a fantastic opportunity for STRUQ to showcase our pioneering advertising technology in the US, as well as exchange knowledge, expertise and contacts with our American counterparts. Over the past three years we have grown into a thriving European business, offering the most advanced technologically approach to retargeted banner advertising. At Web Mission 2011 we look forward to this opportunity to demonstrate our product for commercial success on a global scale.”
Head of UK Trade & Investment’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) Team, Simon Carter said:
“It’s great that we can bring these 19 companies together and encourage them through the Web Mission to open their businesses up to international markets. UK Trade & Investment exists to support trade overseas and there’s a big push at the moment for the UK to encourage businesses based here to engage more in international markets. This mission will enable the web businesses to engage in essential networking in the US that could provide a springboard into really valuable business growth opportunities.”
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