Great Tech Expedition 2014: Chicago, Boston, NYC

The Great Enterprise Tech Expedition is a Digital Mission collaboration UK Trade & Investment, the Mayor of London and TechCityUK, supporting 20 of the UK’s fastest growing cloud software firms on a whistlestop 3-city US mission covering Chicago, Boston and NYC from 5-10th Oct 2014.

Enterprise Tech Mission

The trip will explore commercial opportunities for EnterpriseTech firms and build relationships with key US enterprises across financial & business services, life sciences, retail, media, education and FMCG/CPG brands across these key three cities in the US.

Representing the breadth of the UK’s enterprise software sector the delegation will include SaaS and PaaS firms focused on big data, digital media, financial and health technology, education technology and digital marketing. The make-up of the group will bring together entrepreneurs and companies at different stages of development.

Why the US?

Probably doesn’t need saying, but, the US remains the largest market for technology in the world. Let’s let the numbers do the talking:

"The US cloud computing industry has grown from an estimated $46bn in 2008 to $150bn in 2014 with nearly 50% of worldwide cloud computing revenue coming from the USA.
Gartner forecasts worldwide SaaS revenues at $21.3bn, $22bn for PaaS and enterprise software revenues of $347bn in 2015."

New York and London have much in common, despite the healthy competition, the two cites share a similar blend of industries and opportunity to disrupt. Like London, New York has significant strength in depth in financial services, real estate, advertising, fashion, media, culture and education, which offers opportunities for expansion and collaboration to the respective tech ecosystems.

Boston’s strong research base and concentration of hedge funds, VCs, life science, medical technologies, and Chicago’s broad based economy spanning business & financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation & distribution and IT should yield high quality opportunities to UK cloud companies.

Great Enterprise Tech Expedition Programme

The specially-design programme covers Chicago, Boston and New York City with a specially-designed programme including:

Pre-mission briefing, training & networking reception
VC pitching events
Business development masterclass
Networking receptions
Company visits and briefing
Regional market briefings for Chicago, Boston & NYC
Incubator visits

The programme is continually evolved using objectives and target companies from the delegates confirmed on to the mission. Talking of which, have you applied yet?

How to Apply & Criteria

The first thing to say is that there’s already very strong demand for this mission and companies will be confirmed on a first-come, first served basis. That means:

Don’t delay your application, best get it done today!

We’re looking for dynamic, fast-growing companies with existing traction in local and international markets, readiness to do business in the US and most crucially, grab client and investor attention in the highly competitive US market

In your application, it’s a good idea to consider how your product or service fits the following criteria:

Innovation - Breakthrough in product, service or business model and its potential impact, including social impact
Market Readiness - Commercially viable, immediate and clearly identified market in the US
Team - Ability of the team, track record and readiness

The application process isn’t too demanding, honest. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes and chance are, you’ll be able to dash off the relevant forms in far less time.

There’s just two simple steps...

Step 1 - Fill out the application form on the Great Enterprise Tech Expedition website. This covers all the usual info, contact details, info about your company, your market sector, your objectives for the trip and details to help us target delegates for receptions, networking and meetings.

Step 2 - Fill out the Mayor of London’s London SME funding form and return it to the email address on the form. This has to be completed by each company in order to receive the support from the Mayor’s Export Programme. Don’t fret, it’s an even shorter form.

What’s the Cost? What’s Included?

Here’s the good news: The Expedition is supported by the Mayor of London Growing Places Fund and the European Regional Development Fund through the Mayor’s Export Programme providing practical assistance for London based companies new to exporting overseas or seeking to grow their business in emerging markets.

This includes:

Accommodation costs for the mission 5-10th Oct
Internal flights/trains between Chicago, Boston & NYC
Specially-designed mission programme
Pre-mission briefing and training in London (11-12 Sep)
Inclusion in mission brochure and website

Companies will be asked to contribute £500+VAT plus, they’ll need to cover international flights, additional local travel and subsistence.

N.B. Subsidies are only available to London-based SMEs. The financial contribution from companies outside London will be greater. Please contact us for details.

More info:

// Great Enterprise Tech Expedition application form
// Mayor’s London SME support form

Keep In Touch

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