Last Friday, at the Anthill incubator, the crew enjoyed a quiet knock-off drink with Ned and Andrew from goCatch (an impressive, new application developed to connect taxi-drivers with smartphone users in need of a ride).
As we meandered through the usual topics of Beer O’Clock conversation — innovator dilemmas, startup bug-bears, whether Pippa Middleton is or isn’t more hype-worthy than Kate — the following suggestion was posed: “Why doesn’t Anthill coordinate a trade-mission to Silicon Valley?”
A trade mission is normally a trip organised by government officials for the purpose of exploring business opportunities. People who participate in trade missions are typically introduced to important business contacts and provided with ‘fly-on-the-wall’ opportunities to see how people in other parts of the world get the job done.
It sounded like a great idea. (Better than a discussion on the merits of Royal fandom.)
We have plenty of contacts among Australia’s global expat community. We even have contacts with some impressive international business identities, as a media stop when they come to Australia. Plus, there’s never been a better time to be a startup in Australia. The last 18 months has been littered with examples of Aussie entrepreneurs cracking global markets.
We might even be able to rope in some government and/or private sector assistance.
But how could we make it happen? Where would we begin?
Fortunately, it also occurred to our tiny posse (as the night wore on) that we have one asset at our disposal that should theoretically come in handy at moments like this. You!
In summary, Anthill is thinking (just thinking at this stage) about coordinating a convoy of Australian startups and taking them to Silicon Valley (as a global mecca for entrepreneurs).
Should Anthill lead a trade-mission to Silicon Valley?
First, here are some questions that we have yet to determine an answer for:
- Is Silicon Valley the best place to go?
- When would be the best time of year to make this happen?
- Are there state and federal initiatives, grant programs, tax-breaks, anything to support such a venture? Would any experts in such matters like to take part?
- Is this something that the private sector might be interested in backing? Who?
- Lastly, is this something that an intrepid Aussie entrepreneur (like you) might want to be a part of? If we don’t have the support of entrepreneurs… well… that would be the end of it.
So… please, please please… share your thoughts, questions, ideas, feedback below. If you’d like to come, raise your hand. If you’d like to help in some capacity, let it be known.
Should Anthill lead a trade-mission to Silicon Valley?
Stewart Craine said on July 5, 2011
I and Barefoot Power are interested. If moved quickly, it could line up with SoCap 2011 in San Francisco in the first week of September. Another date could be SXSW Eco in early October in Austin Texas. I'll be going to one of these events anyway, probably SoCap, because TEDx Melbourne is on in early October and don't want to miss that. We've pitched to a few US VCs and angel groups so far, so could potentially help with reaching out to interested parties.
James Tuckerman - Anthill Mag said on July 6, 2011
September. That's possibly doable. And back in time for the Cool Company Awards.
Timothy Hitchens said on July 5, 2011
The best time for Silicon Valley is the conference periods of March to July. Most of the venture capitalists are represented from the East during this period. In the US we are finding that Austin is an interesting area now as well as New York.
Seb said on July 5, 2011
Awesome idea James! BlueChilli would love to be involved - we can offer you our office space in San Francisco and New York to conduct meetings
seankelly said on July 5, 2011
Count me in. Am going to be based in NYC from Sep till Jan.
Mike Watkins said on July 5, 2011
Great idea James, I'm keen!
Bmessenger58 said on July 5, 2011
Great idea maxinnovaitions is hot to go
Daryl said on July 5, 2011
Great idea. I'm not in the hitech sector, but I'm intrigued by the sector and SV in particular, and would be very keen to see what I could learn and apply to other entrepreneurial pursuits here in Tassie as well as looking at the Valley from a regional development perspective.
Connie Merlino said on July 5, 2011
What a great idea! Valley is good place to start. Start ups need patent advice so we could help with that, to help make sure a bright-eyed startup does no give everything away in the excitement!
Connie Merlino said on July 5, 2011
What a great idea! The Valley is always a good place to start. FB Rice is good to go too. All startups need some patent guidance, especially when dealing in the US.
Tony George said on July 5, 2011
Hi, Tony George from Austrade in Los Angeles...would be happy to talk about how Austrade might be involved, you could potentially time it around SXSW or another conference and kill several birds with one stone. Also you might think about which cities are best, depending on what industry the particular start-ups are in, and what stage they are in. Feel free to reach out, tony.george@austrade.gov.au
Anonymous said on July 5, 2011
James - an awesome idea. RecruitLoop [www.recruitloop.com.au] is absolutely keen to be involved. Flexible on timing; SV would be great. We'd like to support any way we can.
michael[at]recruitloop[dot]com // @recruitloop:twitter
Flanigan Inc said on July 6, 2011
Yet
another great idea formed during after-work drinks. Is there a
more prosperous time of day?
James,
we would love the opportunity to be involved. At Flanigan Inc
we see the potential of the Silicon Valley as a perfect launch pad to the
American market, and encourage our clients to use this to their full
advantage.
To
give a little background on who we are, Flanigan Inc is an
integrated sales and marketing agency specialising in international clients.
With bases in both Sydney and San Francisco, we have launched an array of
products across the Pacific.
If
we can help assist the trade-mission or any members of it, please
feel free to contact us at info@flaniganinc.com
or visit http://www.flaniganinc.com
Kind
Regards,
James Tuckerman - Anthill Mag said on July 6, 2011
Thanks everyone! This is so encouraging!
Does anyone know who I should turn to about grants? There surely must be a way for trade-mission participants to get rebates or tax breaks on travel related to export?
Rhondalynn Korolak said on July 7, 2011
Participants can apply to claim and deduct 1/2 of their expenses of the trip under the Export Development Grant scheme. Minimum expenses claimed in first year must be $10,000. Applications close around Nov/Dec of each year. Participants will need to keep detailed receipts and will be required to prove that there is a plan in place to derive income from export of products/services to NA. You don't necessarily have to kick up a lot of income straight away but you must have a reasonable expectation of it.
Working Software said on July 6, 2011
It's hard to say whether it's something I'd be keen on until I know what being "introduced to important business
contacts and provided with ‘fly-on-the-wall’ opportunities to see how
people in other parts of the world get the job done" can realistically achieve for my business.
As with government trade missions I'm sure it would be easy for this to turn into an excuse for a bit of a holiday and it's a long way to travel for a networking breakfast.
James Tuckerman - Anthill Mag said on July 8, 2011
As above, I think that, like the original idea, we would try to get the
participants to outline the people they would like to meet and the types
of things they want to achieve.
What would make it worth your while? Obviously not golf.
Craig Lambie said on July 6, 2011
This sounds like a great idea.
I am heading to San Fran in about a month, so happy to do some ground work for you James if you need. I am planning on having a chat to the AusTrade people, apparently their is one there permanently?
Andrew Blake said on July 7, 2011
Hi Andrew Blake from Healthlogix I would like to be part of the team and trip andrew@healthlogix.com.au
James Tuckerman - Anthill Mag said on July 7, 2011
A helpful representative from the Victorian Government just sent me things links:
Link to the trade fairs travel grant;
http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/TradeFairs
Plug and Play accelerator MMV overview
http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/PlugandPlay
Actual Plug and Play website
http://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/
MMV flyer
http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/Assets/2320/1/MMVPlugPlayflyer.pdf
Do other states have similar support programs (and similarly supportive people)?
Andrew Roberts said on July 7, 2011
I live in Silicon Valley and have seen many trade missions/Aussie companies come by over the years. Before I moved here I even came on one organized by Austrade. They are valuable, but you do tend to get rolled past a set of usual suspects rather than highly targeted meetings.
The more successful trips are competitive selection-based private trips that are not branded as 'trade missions'... check out StartupBus or Geeks on a Plane for examples. StartupBus is actually run by Australian Elias Bizannes. Also, the Startmate companies got some good traction when they came across too.
Re: timing, I would try and build it around an event such as TechCrunch Disrupt, SXSW, Launch or DEMO. May be focus on getting a bunch of Australian companies to apply to present at the same conference. The conference selection process would mean only good companies come.
James Tuckerman - Anthill Mag said on July 8, 2011
Great feedback Andrew.
'Trade Mission' does sound a bit stuffy. But whether we call it a trade mission or 'Anthill Magical Mystery Tour' or
something else will just depend on what terminology will get us the best
result (from sponsors, gov and other). We're very pragmatic that way.
I think that, like the original idea, we would try to get the participants to outline the people they would like to meet and the types of things they want to achieve.
In fact... that might be the next post?
We're big fans of StartupBus, so we'll touch base with Elias too.
James
Andrew Roberts said on July 13, 2011
Great. Let me know if it gets going. I am sure we can organize a welcome party in downtown Palo Alto for you if you get some cool companies.
Chris Bull said on July 8, 2011
This sounds like a fantastic idea! Pencil me in James for the inaugural trip!
Kim Chandler McDonald said on July 8, 2011
Yes! (No.)
Lets talk about this James - it could be a great audacious adventure!
Lucio Dias Ribeiro said on July 12, 2011
Hi James,
Just got back from Silicon Valley in a business spree. Met this guy from Vic Governmetn very friendly towards VIC businesses willing to go to Silicon Valley. I'll link you two on Linkedin. I'm interested in seeing where it goes , would love to be part of it.
Mike Boorn said on July 12, 2011
This idea has legs for sure. I'd recommend going to both coasts though. I totally agree with comments posted by Andrew Roberts.
To get the most out of the trip I believe you should define a relatively narrow purpose; for example capital raise / funding. That way all the meetings work towards this and all participants know what they're going for.
I'd definitely consider being part of such a tour. Mike Boorn, Creator & CEO, GeboMana.com