The ACT Exporters’ Network is pleased to offer an opportunity to ACT companies to be involved in the Global Acceleration Program (GAP). The GAP is designed to assist companies seeking to enter export markets in North America to develop sustainable and practical market entry strategies, develop alliances, establish linkages in the target markets and benefit from tailored 1:1 mentoring over a 5-month program.
The GAP will focus on the North American market and includes selected companies spending a two week period in California, USA where they will be partnered with specialist USA mentors to enhance relationships with distributors and manufacturers whilst developing their market entry strategies. Companies will be further assisted in these activities through support from assigned Australian business mentors, working closely with the US mentors.
The program will be delivered by Pyksis Pty Ltd and ANZA Technology Network (ANZA) and involves an initial free half-day workshop for interested ACT exporters. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to be shortlisted for the full GAP, and if they decide to go ahead with the GAP will join selected Victorian companies on the program. While there is a cost associated with the 5-month GAP, ACT companies will be able to apply for funding support under the ACT Government’s TradeConnect Program (TCon) to offset some of this cost.
The ACT Exporters’ Network is currently calling for applications for this program with the workshop scheduled for the 8th February 2011 and the first delegation to visit the USA in March 2011. Companies must have exclusive access to, or ownership of, the intellectual property they wish to develop in the overseas market and have products, services or processes close to being production-ready.
Companies across all industry sectors are able to apply to participate in the program (e.g. IT, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, sustainability, creative, and transportation).
As the number of places available is limited, selection for participation will be on a competitive basis. Companies will be evaluated on market readiness, intellectual property position, market knowledge, and competitiveness/opportunity size. Start-ups through to established businesses seeking to develop new export markets are welcome to apply. Preference may be given to members of the ACT Exporters’ Network.
Please contact Pam Faulks, Manager ACT Exporters’ Network Tel: 02 6247 4199, E: pam.faulks@canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au or Robert Holgate, Business and Industry Development Tel: 02 6205 5286; E: robert.holgate@act.gov.au.
