South West companies show high tech R&D expertise to Texan investors
The Texas Technology Transfer Mission could provide South West high tech and R&D companies with the opportunity to get a foothold in the US marketplace or to attract funding from US investors. Representatives of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, Austin Technology Incubator and the University of Texas Systems will visit Bath and Bristol Universities and meet local companies in the mission jointly organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA). The aim of the event is to establish contacts with technology start-up companies in Wireless, IT and Clean Energy to create long-term relationships and exchanges of information.
(Media-Newswire.com) - An inward mission by Texan technology and R&D organisations is visiting Bristol and Bath today and tomorrow ( 22 and 23 January ).
The Texas Technology Transfer Mission could provide South West high tech and R&D companies with the opportunity to get a foothold in the US marketplace or to attract funding from US investors.
Representatives of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, Austin Technology Incubator and the University of Texas Systems will visit Bath and Bristol Universities and meet local companies in the mission jointly organised by UK Trade & Investment ( UKTI ) and South West of England Regional Development Agency ( South West RDA ).
The aim of the event is to establish contacts with technology start-up companies in Wireless, IT and Clean Energy to create long-term relationships and exchanges of information.
It is hoped that Austin Technology Incubator will provide an opportunity for UK firms to house their US R&D operations and R&D facilities at their Austin headquarters.
The Texas Emerging Technology Fund is seeking to fund UK technology start-ups and the University of Texas Systems' Office of Research and Technology Transfer aims to exchange best practise.
Today's visit to the University of Bath's SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre was hosted by Graham Harrison, Head of sectors at South West RDA and Neil Bradshaw, Chair of the Setsquared partnership management team and Enterprise Director at the University of Bristol. There were company presentations by Fitronics, Screen Learning, Mirifice, High Efficiency Skills, MMIC Solutions and OC Robotics.
Tomorrow, the mission continues at Bristol University at the Bristol Centre of the SETsquared Partnership, where there will be an introduction by the Centre's Nick Sturge, followed by company presentations by Acsian, The Buildersite, Delib, Tidal Generation and GeoScience.
Texas offers huge opportunities for UK businesses in the high-tech and R&D sector. It is home to 56 of the nation's Fortune 500 companies, more than any other state in the USA. In 2005 Texas had the joint highest number of technology companies in any US state.
The mission is being led by senior members of UKTI's International Trade Team based in the British Consul in Houston, Texas.
Notes to Editors
UK Trade & Investment UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services. For more information visit the web site http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
The South West of England Regional Development Agency was established by government in 1999 to promote the long-term economic success of the region. It does this by working with others to give people the skills they need, encouraging enterprise, improving infrastructure, helping communities with regeneration and promoting the strengths of the region
Issued on behalf of UK Trade & Investment by Government News Network South West and Wales.
This story was released on 2007-01-23. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.