Digital Mission Blog

Digital Mission The Digital Mission series is run by Chinwag to support UK-based digital companies expand into new markets and attract overseas investment.

UK digital firms combat credit crunch with Texas trade tour

Jake Stride from Tactile CRM on the Digital Mission to NYCPRESS RELEASE: London, UK, Thursday 8th January 2009

35 of the UK's leading SMEs from the digital industry head to Austin, Texas on the Digital Mission to South by South West Interactive (SXSWi) from 12-18 March 2009, one of the world’s leading conferences for emerging media. Established in 1994, the conference provides an opportunity for the Digital Mission companies to attend hundreds of conference sessions and networking events.

The Digital Mission is organised by digital networking community, Chinwag, on behalf of UKTI (UK Trade & Investment). Combined with the SXSWi, the Digital Mission provides delegates the opportunity to exhibit at SXSWi. A unique 'Nuts and Bolts' masterclass will help British companies understand how to establish and develop their business in the USA, taking guidance from a panel of American and British experts, whilst the "Great British Breakfast" provides a UK-focused networking event for 300 delegates during the conference.

Building on the success of the Digital Mission to New York in September 2008 - also organised by Chinwag for the UKTI - this second trip to Texas will assist firms to develop new business channels, partnerships, investment and provide a detailed knowledge of the US market.

Companies were invited to apply for the Digital Mission. The 35 successful delegates were selected from over 100 entries by an advisory board of industry experts drawn from including Mike Butcher, TechCrunch UK Editor, Herb Kim, Codeworks CEO and Sarbjit Bakhshi, Head of Information & Technology Group, UKTI.

Companies nominated for the Digital Mission to SXSWi are:

More information about each company can be seen on the Digital Mission website:

http://www.chinwag.com/digitalmission/sxsw09-companies
Both Digital Mission events are generously supported by official sponsors Sun Startup Essentials (http://uk.sun.com/startups) and legal experts, Winston & Strawn (http://www.winston.com). Technical development experts, CoreObjects (http://www.coreobjects.com) have joined the sponsors in generously supporting the Digital Mission to SXSWi.

Chinwag CEO Sam Michel said: "After the frenetic activity and subsequent success of the Digital Mission to New York, it’s really exciting to have such a diverse, exciting and innovative range of digital companies on the Digital Mission to South by South West. It’s a great opportunity for the companies and based on our experiences on the Digital Mission to New York will also help promote the UK’s digital industry more widely in the US".

For more information, please visit: http://www.digital-mission.org

Press resources including pictures, logos and a PDF/Word version of this release is available at: http://digital-mission.org/press

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

About Chinwag
The Chinwag community is a focal point for digital media practitioners in the UK and beyond (http://www.chinwag.com). Founded in 1996, it has grown into a community media company that publishes websites, discussion forums and blogs supporting the people and companies who work in the digital industry. In February 2007 the Chinwag Live events series launched (http://live.chinwag.com), topical panel discussions that have also gone on tour to the Internet World and Ad:Tech conferences, and recently extended to Manchester. Chinwag also publishes Chinwag Jobs (http://jobs.chinwag.com), the leading recruitment website for digital marketing, media, technical and design positions.

About UKTI
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) can help you rise to the exciting opportunities and challenges that globalisation offers. We work with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets. We also encourage the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through our national and global networks. It's our goal to enhance the competitiveness of companies in the UK, and to attract a continuing high level of quality foreign direct investment.
http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/

About SXSW Interactive
The SXSW Interactive (SXSWi) festival and expo offers five days of panels, keynote discussions, Trade Show, and exciting evening events. Founded in 1994, SXSWi is one of the longest established and most influential gatherings of digital developers, creatives, marketers and thought leaders, a who’s who of the US Internet scene which last year saw over 9,500 delegates attending. SXSWi is part of SXSW week which includes a film festival and the world-famous music festival.
http://www.sxsw.com/interactive/

For further information, please missionatchinwag [dot] com (contact us).

8 January 2009 by Sam Michel

Quick, slap a CEO

200812111727.jpg

Literally, he needs a slap. And all in the aid of launching his new website, Sweemo or Sweet Moments, one of the 21 companies chosen for the recent Digital Mission to New York.

Sweemo is a auction site for real-life experiences from Zorbing with Models to Chocolate-making, the site builds on the popularity of experiences as gifts. Could be an interesting alternative to the usual Christmas list fare.

"Thanks Grandma, I loved the socks last year, but I'm kinda hoping to shadow a private investigator this year."

As Jay Nguyen, the CEO with proferred cheek says,

You are bidding on the opportunity to smack me round the face with a big, wet fish.

I should introduce myself. My name’s Jay, and I’m the founder and CEO of Sweemo (the place where people offer ‘Sweet Moments’ to each other)... and this just seemed like a fun thing to do to get things started!

But hurry, there's only 30 minutes left to bid. The package includes flights and accommodation from anywhere in the world, so it's not all fish-slapping. There's more from Jay on YouTube.

 

[Update: See what happened when the winner turned up with a 15kg fish]

11 December 2008 by Sam Michel

Which overseas markets?

695552659_425c1b9674_m.jpgA quick plea for help and a 20 second diversion on a Friday afternoon.

As you probably know - I know we've been going on about it a bit - Chinwag has been working with UKTI on a couple of Digital Missions. The next one is to South by South West in Austin, Texas next March, but we've already started thinking about the future.

And this is where we'd love your input. We're pondering which areas will be the focus of overseas expansion for the UK's digital sector? Previously the US has come out on top, but with all the economic turmoil, has this changed?

What do you think? Let us know:
http://www.chinwag.com/poll/doing-business-abroad-where

You can also leave comments on the page if you've got any thoughts on this. All input welcomed.

[Pic courtesy of JohnLeGear]

28 November 2008 by Sam Michel

South by South West proves entices Digital Mission applicants

Digital Mission - laptop decorationThere's a veritable flurry of printing, stapling, hole punching and other filing related activity at Chinwag Towers. The application deadline for the Digital Mission to South by South West interactive (SXSWi) has come and gone.

Over 100 companies applied for one of the 40 slots on the Digital Mission which is a great response before you factor in the wave of dire economic news that's been crashing against the industry for the last two months. The number of entries also shows the healthy attitude of the UK's digital sector in looking beyond the local market.

The regional diversity also shows how digital SMEs are thriving and innovating well beyond London and the South-East with entries from all parts of the UK.

Next up, the judging process where the advisory board will work its way through the mountain of paper, printed double-sided on recycled paper, naturally.

Fortunately, with all these applications it's great to welcome two extra pair of hands to the judgly duties: Benjamin Ellis, investor, tech entrepreneur who covered the Digital Mission to New York and Ben Hayman, software entrepreneur and founder of mediatech advisors, Venture4th.

The finalists will be contacted in the next few weeks with an official announcement in the New Year.

27 November 2008 by Sam Michel

Funding for South-West companies to attend SXSWi and Digital Mission

swscreen.gifWant to go to SXSWi but don't have the cash? Want to join the Digital Mission to SXSWi with 40 of the UK's hottest digital SMEs but a bit strapped? Located in the South-West?

This could be your lucky day.

South West Screen whose role in digital life is to help companies from the region take advantage of opportunities in the global market place. The lovely folks from iShed are handling the organisation and applications. There's space for six companies and the criteria is pretty broad:

So, if you:

  • are a web/mobile company working in the South West
  • have a track record of delivering brilliant, innovative work
  • have a thirst to promote yourselves and the region

Please note that the deadline for applications is 3 December 2008. Entries will be reviewed by iShed and South West Screen and the results will be announced in the final week of December 2008.

(from South West Screen website)

And of course, if you're looking to come on the Digital Mission there's a bursary towards the travel and accommodation costs. Check out the South West Screen website for more information and an application form.

21 November 2008 by Sam Michel
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