Digital Mission Blog
The Digital Mission series is run by Chinwag to support UK-based digital companies expand into new markets and attract overseas investment.
Mark Prisk Talks Export, Trade and the Digital Economy
The new government certainly has its work cut out for it. Save heaps of money whilst trying not to damage the economy is quite a tightrope. Increasing exports is a crucial way to help pay down the debt and the digital sector is a critical part of this.
Whilst the new administration finds its feet, any insight for business is always useful.
Mark Prisk, the newly-appointed Minister of State for Business and Enterprise joined alumni from Webmission 08, one of the first trade missions to focus on the digital sector, earlier this week.
Fortunately, Manoj Ranaweera from Techcelerate was there with his trusty camera...
Picture (cc) BIS.
BBC Digital Planet's Bill Thompson Talks SXSW
A highlight of SXSW is the enormous opportunity for networking. And it's not just catching up with the Americans, with such a large British contingent making the trip to Austin, it's a great chance to catch-up with people from the UK, too.
Bill Thompson, Gareth Mitchell and the crew from BBC World Service's Digital Planet show were in town to record a special live session at SXSW interactive (listen here). Bill swung by the Digital Mission stand where I pounced on him with my flip and asked him about his first SXSW...
Texas - Wide Open for Digital Business
The Digital Mission companies were taken on a tour of the Capital Building in Austin.
Although the state capital has moved over the course of its history, Austin has become it's resting place, nestled centrally in the state of Texas. It's quite an incredible building, steeped in History.
When you mention tech and the US most people's minds jump to the coasts, usually San Francisco and Los Angeles, or Boston and New York. It hasn't always been that way for tech, and it may not always be either, at least if the state and city folks here have their way.
Last July the Economist ran a piece on California versus Texas. In many way Texas out performs it's west coast rival, and in most of the rest it is catching up rapidly. You'll find offices for many familiar businesses located here, and a fair amount of media activity too. Amir Mirabi, of the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, made a compelling case for the rise of Texas, here's just a few of the facts he presented:
- It is home to 3 Major US Airlines and has the largest number of international ports (good communications).
- Has produced 1.29 million jobs in the last 5 years (a growing economy).
- In the top 3 nationally for business and academic R&D ($15.86 billion).
- Twice the national average of fully bilingual professionals in the workforce (great jumping off point for the growing Latin American markets).
- Has no personal and corporate tax (yes, you read that right).
The state has moved far beyond the stereotype of the oil-dependent energy producer that many of us perceive it to be. A significant portion of the state's capital surplus has been ploughed into education and technology incubation schemes, giving it a highly qualified employment base and a sea of start ups. Today Texas produces more renewable energy than California, has a thriving creative business sector and is home to numerous gaming and digital media companies. Recently Facebook announced that they are opening offices in the state, adding to the momentum. Watch out California.
Tony Schum, from the Austin Chamber of Commerce, focussed in on Austin itself. The state capital has a young and vibrant community - all year round, not just during SXSW. It is the 5th safest city in the US and the 2nd fastest growing, with a stable and affordable property market and a higher quality of life than its costal rivals.
There are financial incentives available to digital start ups too, making it a finance-friendly place, as well as a human-friendly one. You're guaranteed a very warm welcome, y'all, so if you're thinking about setting up in the US, you might just want to check it out.
Digital Mission to SXSWi 2010 Video: How's Your SXSW Been?
The third video installment from Digital Mission to SXSWi 2010 from Techfluff.tv's Hermione Way.
In a whirlwind trip around SXSWi, she speaks to the Digital Mission companies, visitors to the Digital Mission stand "Trust Agents" author, Chris Brogan and Tuttle Club's Lloyd Davis with a ukelele solo (yup, you read that right).
Thanks to Viadeo for sponsoring the Digital Mission video.
Digital Mission: Out and About at SXSWi 2010
It's hard to describe South by South West interactive. Yes, it is a trade show. Yes, it's a conference. Yes, there's lots of business going on.
The laid-back atmosphere of Austin pervades the event, and despite the frenetic activity, networking and business going on, for the attendees it doesn't feel like a corporate environment.
Hermone Way from Techfluff.tv, took her film crew out and about at the Austin Convention Center, to try and capture what makes SXSW special.
One of the many things that makes SXSW special is its location. Austin, is a relatively small town smack in the middle of the US, drawing over 15,000 delegates from both the East and West coasts of the US and all points in between.
Amongst these are more than a handful of web celebrities, Hermione managed to collar a handful as she roamed the corridors of the Austin Convention Center including Gary V, Jeff Pulver, Loren Feldman, Jak Rose, POP17 and long-time Digital Mission supporter, the legendary Stewart Townsend.
Thanks to Viadeo for sponsoring the Digital Mission video.
