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.
Seedcamp applications now open
Digital Mission partners, Seedcamp have just opened their application process, with entries accepted until 10th August. Details of the entry criteria and how to apply is available from their website and blog.
Reshma Sohoni, CEO of Seedcamp has also joined Digital Mission's advisory board, which is great boost for both projects, providing a connection all the way from start-up through to overseas expansion. Seedcamp offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to polish their plans before taking the plunge with a new business.
I wish there'd been something like this when I was starting out!
For established business, don't forget that the deadline for applications to Digital Mission to NYC close at midnight on 23rd July.
Applications open for Digital Mission to NYC
"It's alive!", as any good horror movie actor would scream. The application form for the Digital Mission to Web2.0 Expo in NYC is now officially open.
APPLY NOW
Closing Date: midnight, Wed, 23rd July
The aim of this Digital Mission is to help digital companies expand or seek investment in the USA. The trip itself will focus on two key ares:
- Understanding the practicalities of entering the US market - market intelligence, tax, legal, etc.
- Networking & connections - meetings organised for each company with potential partners with plenty of social networking (the real-life kind)
The criteria are pretty broad for the Digital Mission and it's worth noting that it's not just for start-ups. Any company that works in the digital space and is regarded officially as an SME (less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than £40m).
Why go? What are the benefits?
Fair question. Here's a cut-out and keep list...
- discounted travel, accommodation and planning services
- seminars and workshops for doing business in the US
- market overview of the Eastern US
- pre-planned meetings designed around your company's requirements
- networking events - specific Digital Mission, official Web 2.0 Expo events, and more
- press and blog coverage of the Digital Mission
- strength in numbers - more attention and more focus on your company as part of the group
- pass to Web 2.0 Expo Hall, keynotes and more...
Plus...we're looking for suggestions both from companies who successfully apply to the Digital Mission and any other feedback. If there's specific events, meetings or networking events that would add extra value, we're all ears: drop a line to mission
chinwag [dot] com (Digital%20Mission%20feedback) .
In the meantime check out the criteria for entry and the application form.
Techcrunch UK on board with Digital Mission
Great news for the Digital Mission to NYC, we're delighted to welcome Techcrunch UK our official blog partner. In addition to what we're anticipating will be a deluge of purple prose about the companies qualifying for the expedition, the inimitable Mike Butcher is lending his considerable skills to the advisory board.
Several more high-profile names are taking time out of their hectic schedules to help find the best of the UK's digital business take full advantage of the missions to NYC and SXSW. With 65 spots up for grabs - 25 to NYC, 40 to SXSWi - it's a great opportunity to build business in the US with the benefit of expert help and UK Trade & Investment's overseas team.
Don't forget the closing date for applications is 23rd July. The application form will be live on the website from Monday morning, or possibly earlier. Keep up to date with applications and other Digital Mission news by signing up to the Digital Mission newsletter.
Pic: courtesy of Roo Reynolds
Wanna go to the Web 2.0 Expo in New York or SXSW Interactive?
The NYC mission coinciding with the Web 2.0 Expo runs 14-19 September 2008.
The Austin, Texas mission to SXSW Interactive runs 13-17 March 2009.
For the New York 'Digital Mission', up to 25 small-to-medium-sized UK companies will be selected from all entries received. With the closing date looming on 23rd July, there’s only two weeks in which to enter your company...
So if you want to go market your digital business in NYC, amid the melting pot of business and innovation at the Web 2.0 Expo, check out the criteria on the Digital Mission page, and sign-up for more info now!
In turn, if it’s the prospect of landing slap-bang in the middle of SXSW Interactive that fires you up, with its hundreds of conference sessions and keynotes, fringe events and legendary night-time party scene, then sign-up for the mission to Austin, Texas in March 2009.
All in, we’re taking 40 companies over to Austin, with special business events and meetings added onto the huge array of SXSW-related action. And if you haven’t been to SXSW before, you’re in for a treat. I’ve been for the last three years and can vouch that the reality actually lives up to the hype.
The NYC closing date is Wednesday 23rd July - so critical I told you twice ;-) - and entrants for it and the Austin mission will be judged by a panel of digital industry experts and commentators, including Mike Butcher of TechCrunch UK and Herb Kim of north east business innovation network Codeworks.
Companies will pay for their travel and expenses, but Chinwag and the UKTI will make all the travel and hotel arrangements and organise the itinerary for each company – including one-to-one meetings and networking events – in addition to publicising the venture and participants.
You can sign-up to register for entry to the selection process (and we'll get back in touch with you within three days), or just to get regular updates and info here:
http://www.digital-mission.org
I'm chuffed to bits we're going to be helping UK companies in this way. It's going to be an amazing experience for everyone involved!
Chinwag takes UK digital SMEs on trade tours to New York and Texas!
PRESS RELEASE: London, UK, Wednesday 9 July 2008. Digital SMEs are set for a business boost in the shape of a chance to visit the renowned Web 2.0 Expo in New York in September 2008 and the vibrant SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas in March 2009, thanks to a trade mission organised by Chinwag for UKTI (UK Trade & Investment).
Chinwag has been nominated as the UKTI's designated partner for the ‘Digital Mission’ to take small-to-medium-sized agencies, start-ups and other businesses in the digital sector on two separate visits to the US to make business contacts and market their services at two of the most celebrated and influential global web events.
The mission to New York City from 14-19 September 2008 is for 25 UK companies, while the March trip takes 40 UK companies to SXSW Interactive in Austin from 13-17 March, 2009. Both trips revolve around a busy conference-related itinerary mixed with high-profile networking events and individual meetings with US companies and potential investors.
Entries are welcome from companies ranging from marketing agencies through to ecommerce operators, mobile service providers and start-ups. Companies will be selected by a judging panel of industry experts and commentators including TechCrunch UK Editor, Mike Butcher, and Codeworks CEO, Herb Kim.
Entry for the Digital Mission is now open at http://www.digital-mission.org which provides more details on each trip, and the closing date for NYC entries is Wednesday 23 July. Chinwag and the UKTI oversee the travel arrangements and itinerary, including one-to-one meetings and PR, while attending companies receive discounted travel costs.
Chinwag CEO, Sam Michel, said: “The Digital Missions to NYC and Austin represent a major opportunity for UK participants to make connections and build fruitful business relationships against the vibrant backdrop of hugely successful events. Working with the UKTI and the broader web community on this initiative is a natural progression of our aim: to be a connecting rod for ideas and talent across new media.”
For more information or to enter your company, please visit:
http://www.digital-mission.org
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 companies rise to the opportunities and challenges of globalisation. It works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets, while also encouraging the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its national and global networks. It strives 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 Web 2.0 Expo (New York)
http://en.oreilly.com/webexny2008/public/content/home
About SXSW Interactive (Austin)
http://www.sxsw.com/interactive/
