SmallBizResource Blog -- Startups

Contest For The Internationally Minded

Posted by Gayle Kesten Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008, 03:51 PM ET

If your start-up aspirations include our friends across the pond, then here's one "wale" of a contest.

U.K.-based Technium, whose mission is to help new and early-stage science and technology businesses by providing them with office space, business support, and networking opportunities, has put out the call for its third annual Technium Challenge International. The goal: to encourage international science and technology entrepreneurs to develop business strategies for the U.K. market.

In addition to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, applicants can hail from Australia, Austria, China, France, India, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea and Switzerland. According to a statement from Technium, which comprises a network of business incubators: "The winner of the North American contests -- one each from the US, Canada and Mexico -- along with finalists from 10 other nations, will be flown business class to Wales for a week-long 'Learning Journey' that will include one-on-one sessions with UK legal, business and skills experts. Finalists will receive introductions to established business networks, direct guidance on developing a UK market entry business plan, as well as detailed briefings about market opportunities. From there, they will present their business plans in front of the final Technium judging panel, which will determine one overall winner."

The overall winner will receive a year of free office space within one of 10 Technium incubators in Wales, as well as ongoing counsel, according to Technium.

Companies will be evaluated based on their business plan, company viability, and a presentation made to judges.

Entries are due March 27, 2009. Check here for the remainder of important dates. For more information, contact Christopher Williams at Christopher.Williams@ibwales.com or call (646) 792-8923.

Startups