Breaking into foreign markets in an expensive necessity for most Australian tech startups, but the cost of branching into Europe just got a bit cheaper with the introduction of the Access Wales program helping foreign tech business establish themselves in the country, find funding and make connections. Taking a “try before you buy” approach, the Wales government is inviting businesses to take advantage of a year of free office space and assistance in one of its 15 Technium Centres. Techniums are a Wales-created incubator program that span the tech industries from optics to engineering and take Welsh businesses through a two year period to reap the benefits of office space as well as mentorship and introductions. Although the Welsh government has worked with foreign businesses on a case by case basis in the past to help them expand into the nation, this is the first large scale program reaching out to foreign startups. International Business Wales, the governmental wing behind the Access Wales program, are targeting European, American, Japanese and Australian businesses and according to deputy director Mike Hynda Australia’s strong collection of tech startups and need to grow internationally makes the Welsh program ideally suited for those looking for a way into the European marketplace. Australian companies such as Dyesol, a producer of solar cell technology, and former RMIT testing facility Enex TestLab have both found success in Wales. In April, the Welsh government assisted Enex in moving into Wales where Enex plan to manage its full expansion into Europe.
Access Wales is currently accepting applications to the program with the only caveats being that a business must be in the technology field and must have some concrete growth prospect. Those interested in finding out more information or applying, visit the Access Wales website or call 02 9258 1103 to visit with International Business Wales local representative.
Hey thanks for the comment Justin, I ran across a lovely picture of you at the awards presentation. I’d love to hear more about it next time we run into one another. Which Technium where you at? I was really impressed with the idea of the program and the success they seemed to turn out, especially with the amount of negative stories of heard in regards to Australian incubators. I haven’t researched it extensively but it seem like Wales has found a system that works for them.
We were lucky enough to win the Technium Challenge this year and were flown over to Wales by IBWales. The team in Sydney are a great group of people and the facilities in Wales itself were really interesting. This program is definitely worth looking into if you are thinking about a UK or European base.