"The Web Mission represents an amazing opportunity for the best of entrepreneurial UK talent to visit Silicon Valley, and learn for themselves the differences that make the US a breeding ground for innovation and more importantly successful execution of ideas. With a spark of inspiration the UK has every opportunity to replicate that success on UK soil."
"Having recently returned from California and seen first hand the amount of innovative work being done by creative businesses it is clear that both the UK and San Francisco must be open to new opportunities; particularly as we're both hotbeds of entrepreneurial activity.
It is no surprise to me that we're both on the same page when it comes to this second generation of web based companies which create social-networking sites, wiki's and blogs with the aim of facilitating creativity, collaboration, and sharing among users. I am therefore delighted that UK Trade & Investment and Polecat Ltd and are collaborating on this mission."
"Some of these companies are as good as anything coming out of the Valley."
"Innovation and entrepreneurial exploitation of new ideas is key to the success of the UK economy and all its stakeholders. The Web Mission to Silicon Valley presents high growth companies with the opportunity to see how the leading entrepreneurs of our time have turned ideas into successful businesses. HSBC is delighted to be co-sponsoring the mission."
"The sheer volume of applicants provides convincing evidence of the depth and breadth of emerging growth technology companies in the UK. The shortlist of companies selected demonstrates that the UK is able to produce credible web businesses."
"Customers, who buy a product, are the best endorsement of an innovative use of technology and WebMission is such an exciting proposition, because it offers UK start-ups the opportunity to learn from influential figures and organisations. Access to such ‘know-how’ is far more valuable to the future success of these start-ups than securing financial backing. Oracle UK is very proud two of the chosen companies (Trampoline Systems & Zogix) are members of the Oracle Emerging Business Partner Programme, designed to provide such product and business expertise, because we would like to see this as validation of such an approach."
"WebMission should also not be under-estimated in terms of the recognition it is bringing to the UK IT industry. Britain has always had highly inventive and creative technologists and being able to secure audiences with Silicon Valley’s entrepreneur and IT community underlines the burgeoning credibility UK talent has on the world stage. Now we are being recognised, not only
for invention, but for being able to turn those ideas into successful commercial entities."
"Sun Startup Essentials is proud to be a technology partner of Web Mission 2008 and of our role assisting UK companies seeking increased awareness in the US community...It is exciting to see the breadth of innovations from UK startup companies and imagine their role shaping the future of the Web around the world."
"I think The Web Mission is a great idea. The best businesses are global from day one and initiatives like this help entrepreneurs build the networks they need to grow their companies internationally."
"Innovation is global, and what better way to help than Web Mission: get the disruptors from both sides of the Atlantic to meet and discuss how they are creating the future. A great initiative !"
"Europe is a growing hotbed of entrepreneurial talent and this initiative will greatly help accelerate that. This is a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs on both sides of the Atlantic to share ideas, make new contacts and forge alliances that benefit everyone"
“When we create a web business we create it for a global marketplace, we source our products globally, and we’ll probably end up being acquired by a global company or listing on a worldwide stock exchange. It’s absolutely right that we encourage the hottest web talent to look to the unequivocal pace-setter- Silicon Valley – for opportunities, inspiration, and partnership as we build Europe’s answer to the Google, Microsoft and Facebooks the other side of the Atlantic”.
"San Francisco is the world's leading startup centre. The importance of building ties with the web community there can not be underestimated. I congratulate all involved in this hugely positive initiative.'
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