UKTI flies SME tech firms into US clouds

Government body flies start-ups across the Atlantic to help boost UK's cloud computing standing

Top brass: UK participants will meet major vendors and venture capitalists

Government body UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is getting behind the rise of cloud computing by sending 20 UK SME tech firms on a trade mission to the US.

The trip takes place from 13 to 17 September and participating companies will visit Boston and Silicon Valley. The aim of the trip is to "foster deal making between UK companies and US industry leaders" and help UK start-ups with "US strategy and credibility in this key market".

During their stay on the east coast, the UK firms will meet local industry executives and potential partner companies. They will also learn about finance and how best to secure venture capital funding.

While in California the UK tech representatives will have the chance to discuss go-to-market strategies with US counterparts. They will also get to meet some "major vendors" and network with industry executives and venture capitalists.

Companies selected by UKTI include CitiHub, ISL Online, Kognitio, SMEStorage, Replify and Postcode Anywhere.

Guy Mucklow, managing director of address management specialist Postcode Anywhere, said he is “specifically interested in finding integration and resale partners.