Digital Mission China 2014 (Shenzhen Maker Faire)

Interested in the 2015 Digital Mission to Shenzhen Maker Faire? The return trip features a new UK pavilion and an extended programme in Shenzhen.

This Digital Mission to Shenzhen Maker Faire (4-11 Apr 2014) brings together the UK’s leading ‘makers’ - creative technologists and entrepreneurs combining 3D printing, Internet of Things, open source software and crowdfunding to revolutionise manufacturing - on a specially designed week-long trip centered around the Shenzhen Maker Faire.

The British delegation will bring together representatives of innovatives hardware startups from the very earliest stage startups to established businesses.

The mission is organised by trade mission specialists Chinwag and leading makers Tom Whitwell (Music Thing, ex Head of Digital, The Times) and Chris Thorpe (Flexiscale.co, ex CTO MindCandy) and supported by UK Trade & Investment.

The Mission programme includes market briefing, company visits, networking events and access to the UK stand at the Shenzhen Maker Faire 2014. Travel grants for qualifying SMEs are available.

Interested in coming along? Apply using the form below, it only takes a couple of minutes. If you need further info or have any questions email missionchinwag [dot] com.

This mission not for you? Follow @digitalmission, +DigitalMission or sign-up for the  Digital Mission newsletter.

Introduction

Ten years ago, the Internet democratised publishing, broadcasting and communications, creating spectacular disruption within those industries. Today, the same thing is happening in manufacturing.

The tools of production are easier to access than ever before. Open ­source software makes desktop design possible, while small­ run electronics manufacturing, 3D prototyping and crowdfunding systems like Kickstarter mean individuals can launch successful businesses independent of major investors or corporations.

Britain leads the world in combining design and entrepreneurship skills placing the country’s creative technologists in an enviable position in this new industrial revolution.

In April 2014, the first full Maker Faire will be held in Shenzhen, where much of the Western world’s manufacturing takes place, bringing together entrepreneurs, manufacturers and innovators from around the world.

Shenzhen Maker Faire 2014

Shenzhen Maker Faire 2014 (6-7 Apr 2014) is the first full Maker Faire to take place in China and only the second in Asia.

• 2 days, 200 makers, 10 workshops, 20 influential keynotes
• Creative Fair & Workshops: 3D printing, Robots, Wearables, Learning kits
• Speakers including:
  • Chris Anderson - CEO of 3DRobotics, ex-Editor-in-Chief WIRED
  • Mitch Altman - Virtual Reality Pioneer, Inventor TV-B-GONE, CEO Cornfield Electronics
  • Dale Dougherty - Author, Co-Founder O’Reilly Media
  • Massimo Banzi - Co-Founder, Arduino Project
  • Cheng Tien Chong - former EVP Foxconn, President HP China
  • Lei Jun - CEO Xiaomi, recognised as “Steve Jobs of China”
  • Joey Hudy - Award-winning Young Scientist, Inventor Extreme Marshmallow Cannon

Draft Mission Activities

Here’s an outline of the activities planned for this trip. Alongside the Shenzhen Maker Faire 2014 a series of other visits, briefings and networking reception will be organised in China, to include:

• Pre-mission briefing in London
• Premium British Stand at Shenzhen Maker Faire
• Priority area at conference
• Additional programme in Shenzhen/Hong Kong:
  • Company visits
  • China Market briefing
  • Shenzhen tour
  • Networking reception
• Inclusion in Digital Mission publicity and website
• SMS briefings/alerts through Digital Mission
• Post-mission get-together in London

Please note that as with all missions, details are subject to change.

Grants

A number of grants are available for companies taking part in the trip thanks to the generous support of UK Trade & Investment:

• £600 travel/accommodation grants per company for qualifying SMEs*
• £140 grant for first night hotel stay in China per company for qualifying SMEs*
• 20% discount on British Airways flights for qualifying companies**

* To qualify as a start-up or SME, your company must have less than 250 employees and less than €50m turnover.
** See British Airways UKTI Discount Offer flyer for conditions

Costs

Obligatory Small-Print

• All of the above costs include one delegate per company
• Costs exclude VAT, travel & accommodation which each delegate is responsible for
• There will be a small charge for extra delegates at £99 per person
• Contribution to costs must be paid in full to confirm a place on the Digital Mission
• Delegates are responsible for their own travel insurance
• Delegates are responsible for arranging their own visas and any associated charges
• Details of the activities during the Digital Mission are subject to change
• Refund policy: 50% of mission fee up to 14 days before mission, sorry we can’t offer refunds less than 14 days before the trip

1. Startups/SMEs have fewer than 250 staff and less than €50m turnover. Academic staff must be able to prove their credentials.
2. Larger firms are defined as having 250 or more staff and/or turnover of €50m or more
3. Observer slots are strictly limited and give the chance for companies and organisations that support digital firms in their objectives e.g. lawyers, accountants to take part in the mission. Observers spend the full week with the mission companies, participate in the events, but are not invited to pitch or present. Corporate information and contact details are included in the mission publicity materials. 

Travel

We have partnered with Dovetail Foks/Expose Travel for the this Digital Mission to China. 

Dovetail can provide a range of solutions for all budgets and take care of any required aspects of your travel arrangements, from flights, transfers, hotel accommodation and visa advice.

Contact: Paul Vasdev (0207 025 1515 // paul [dot] vasdevdovetailfoks [dot] com)

About:

Dovetail Foks/Expose Travel specialise in arranging travel to exhibitions and trade fairs and have been doing so for over 20 years. We provide a complete service for delegates attending events worldwide. We are a fully licensed company with our own IATA, ABTA and ATOL Licences, providing complete security for all the travellers to the events.

Apply

Interested in coming along, apply using the form below, it only takes a couple of minutes.

// Apply for Digital Mission to China (Shenzhen Maker Faire)

If you need further info or have any questions email missionchinwag [dot] com.

This mission not for you? Follow @digitalmission, +DigitalMission or sign-up for the  Digital Mission newsletter.

Partners & Supporters

Testimonials from our Latest Mission to NYC

"Packed full of curated meetings, talks, panels and networking in the hectic New York startup scene, the Digital Mission inspired ideas and delivered great leads for our business - but most importantly was a whole lot of fun"  Adam Stamper, Pitch'd

"Chinwag's Digital Mission to New York is invaluable for any business considering moving their operation into the east coast of the US. I would go as far as saying that no business should consider operating in the US seriously without attending at least one"  Ringo Moss, nerv

"I found the New York digital mission organised by Chinwag and UKTI to be exceptionally worthwhile. The Chinwag and UKTI teams were great, and very professional. As a company, we established many new leads and contacts, we now understand much more about doing business in the US, and I had a great time in the process. Thanks so much"  Scott Muir, Regroup Media

"The Digital Mission 2014 was incredibly valuable in terms of giving me an insight into what may or may not be possible for our company Stateside. The visits organised by Chinwag got us an 'in' at some of the biggest and best companies in New York, and Social Media Week, to coin a NY phrase, was 'super exciting'. The Chinwag and UKTI teams couldn't have been more friendly or helpful. In fact, I loved the trip. Can I do it all again, please?"  Angela Everitt, Southerly

"The mission was an incredibly useful trip. A brilliant mix of informal and formal sessions that really helped us grow our knowledge of doing business in New York and the US in general. We also made some very great contacts who are already proving to be hugely valuable to our business"  Matt Alder, Three Sparks

"We were thrilled to play a part in Chinwag and UK Trade & Investment's ‘Digital Mission 2014’, As well as having the opportunity to meet some of the top marketers at companies such as Bloomberg and BBDO at specially arranged events, the Screenburn team also attended Social Media Week where some of social media’s leading brands and platforms were in attendance to discuss current industry trends and what’s next. The whole trip was an invaluable opportunity to meet similar companies, learn more about the US market and develop some client relationships abroad. It was expertly put together and we would recommend it to any tech start-up looking to take a tentative step towards the USA in any respect." Luke Littleboy, Screenburn

Photos (c) Dangerous Prototypes.