TWO Welsh companies will set out on a mission to the United States next week, to help bring new business opportunities back home.
Cardiff Bay-based interactive media provider, Cube Interactive, and neighbouring website solutions company, SubHub, who both operate out of Mount Stuart Square, will join 37 of the UK’s leading creative businesses on the second annual Digital Mission to the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSWi) in Austin, Texas (11-17 March 2010
).
They are hoping the increasingly popular festival will help them make the most of opportunities in global markets and attract international business partnerships.
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, says opportunities like Digital Mission are important for helping businesses to flourish in the economy:
"The creative industry has one of the biggest parts to play in our economy, and so it is important that the right frameworks are in place to help our businesses tap into the growth of international markets and harness the opportunities they have to offer.
"By promoting opportunities which enable businesses to develop, Creative Business Wales is helping to support the growth of an active and versatile ground in which the creative industry can thrive in Wales."
The trip has been organised by Chinwag, on behalf of UK Trade and Investment, to help the UK’s top digital firms mix with industry leaders and give them a competitive edge in foreign markets.
Their mission is being backed by Creative Business Wales, who provide support for creative and digital businesses as part of a strategy to develop the creative industries by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The SXSWi Festival brings together some of the world’s brightest minds in the creative industries, embracing web developers, designers, bloggers and new media entrepreneurs.
Companies selected for the Digital Mission will have opportunities to attend hundreds of networking events, develop new business channels and forge international partnerships as well as gain valuable insight into the US market.
Miles Galliford, Co-founder of SubHub, said: "This trip is a rare and exciting chance to network with our overseas peers and promote the SubHub brand. It’s a huge honour to be one of the few companies selected to attend"