December 15, 2009
Queensland businesses looking to dip their toes into UK waters can now ‘try before they buy’ by taking advantage of free office space for up to a year in one of 15 Welsh innovation centres as part a new initiative by International Business Wales (IBW).
Under the Access Wales program, Australian companies can sample the market which other businesses have successfully cracked and see just what Wales has to offer for international business expansion.
Vice President Australia and New Zealand IBW, Rhodri Jones, says Access Wales is a “great opportunity” for Australian technology-based businesses to get on the ground experience in the UK.
“We’re hoping that this platform will help take the risk out of getting a presence in Western Europe and let businesses test the scope of the market before committing,” Jones says.
“Businesses that meet the eligibility criteria will not only benefit from a free desk space for up to 12 months in a choice of 15 high tech innovation centres but also receive specialist business support from professional consultancy partners, worth in the region of $18,000, which form part of the unique package of benefits tailored to the needs of emerging technology companies,” he says.
In addition to one free desk space, the Access Wales service offers a tailor-made induction programme, free package of general business support through the Welsh Assembly Government, free package of specialist business support and access to a dedicated point of contact.
The 15 innovation centres involved in Access Wales include 11 Technium centres, Cardiff Medicentre, Cardiff Business Technology Centre, @Wales Digital Media Initiative and The Engineering Centre for Manufacturing & Materials.
Selection criteria for the initiative is restricted to innovative, high growth potential SMEs which are operating within a high-tech or knowledge-based sector.