Almost 50 South West tech companies have been selected to take part in Government-backed trade missions to the USA, India and Singapore.
The Department for International Trade (DIT), in partnership with Business West, has chosen 47 companies in the region for the Tech 4 Good South West, initiative designed to stimulate international growth and expansion.
The virtual trade missions start on March 8, 2021, with firms in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Avon and Wiltshire taking part.
With the UK being ranked the fifth greatest digital tech services exporter in the world, at £23.3billion in 2019, sitting behind India, the USA, China and Germany, the initiative offers an invaluable opportunity to showcase the tech solutions the UK has to offer.
The new Tech 4 Good South West initiative offers selected companies a series of virtual masterclasses, commercial meetings, and networking events, culminating in the opportunity to showcase their technology to key players in the US, India, and Singapore.
Delivered by DIT market specialists Ameeta Virk and Sarah Hildersley, the free export initiative will offer the opportunity for selected companies to understand the tech landscape, develop their export strategy and participate in virtual sales meetings in these fast-growing markets.
The three overseas markets have been selected by DIT’s specialists for the breadth of opportunity each can offer and their marked interest in “tech for good” products.
Jaya Chakrabarti, founder of Tiscreport, based in Bristol which provides a digital solution to increase transparency in the supply chain to ensure companies comply with the Modern Slavery Act, said: “Our social enterprise has reached a point where we need global connections to scale our impact. The Tech4Good trade mission programme has come exactly at the right time.
“As a working mum, the virtual missions enable me to fulfil the company’s aspirations whilst also being able to look after my family. This alone makes it one of the most impactful things I can possibly do to further our social mission.”
Ameeta Virk, DIT market specialist for the USA and India and creator of the programme, said: “Having announced the Tech for Good initiative in early September, we were overwhelmed with the high level of interest.
“I've been truly impressed with the sheer number of South West companies who are leading the way in delivering world changing solutions.
“I am incredibly proud to have created a programme that will help these businesses move closer to realising their global ambitions.”
Minister for international trade Graham Stuart, who attended the virtual launch of the initiative, said: “Using technology to allow fantastic UK solution providers to help people around the world is an inspiring thing to be part of – even as we negotiate trade deals to cut the barriers to trade.
“The Tech 4 Good South West Initiative uses Government convening power to allow even small tech companies in the South West to reach global markets in a way which, frankly, before the pandemic, might not have been possible.
“We are determined to use every tool we have to help innovative UK firms grow their international sales, help the end customer and create opportunity and jobs in the South West and elsewhere.”
