Connecting the UK and Singapore tech clusters

Transcription

1 Cambridge Connection Taylor Vinters Connecting the UK and tech clusters Technology Investment Private client

2 Asian growth opportunities Cambridge Connection is a technology sector networking forum founded by international law firm Taylor Vinters and Cambridge Capital Group. Cambridge Connection links investors, entrepreneurs, corporates and government bodies from the Cambridge, and broader UK, tech community with counterparts in, with the aim of generating opportunities for collaboration, investment and strategic partnering. The 2014 Cambridge Connection programme will consist of a series of networking opportunities across a three-day period in for a selected group from the UK hi-tech community. This year s event will once again be held in June at Eden Hall, the British High Commissioner s residence in. Our inaugural event in 2013 The first Cambridge Connection took place last year and was an enormous success. Over 100 members of s leading technology companies attended the week-long two tech cities event, which started at The British High Commissioner s residence in. Sessions and forums were held throughout the week covering subjects including: how to enter the Asian market; the power of high-tech clusters; and collaboration, investment and strategic partnering with companies. 12 on cutting-edge Cambridge technology companies delegation 4 new members for Cambridge Capital Group entrepreneurs and business leaders from the an tech community attended 0the launch

3 UK and tech scene UK The Cambridge tech cluster has always mixed world-class academic research with entrepreneurs and capital, creating an exciting and commercially successful ecosystem. This ecosystem has now grown into the largest concentration of tech commercialisation in Europe with over 1,300 high-growth companies, ranging from start-ups to world-renowned companies, such as the mobile chip designer ARM and meaning-based computing company Autonomy. In turn, the combination of the Cambridge, Oxford and London tech clusters has created a powerful golden triangle in the south east of England, featuring world-class businesses supported by a highly active and knowledgeable community of tech sector experts, professional advisors and venture capital investors. Traditionally, such businesses would focus on the US and European markets for expansion opportunities. Now, many Cambridge and other UK businesses are looking at the exciting growth opportunities offered by the emerging and mature markets of Asia. As the UK s largest trading partner in South-East Asia, is designated as one of UKTI s High Growth Markets, and is currently the UK s 5th largest services export market outside the EU, worth 3.7 billion. The UK is also s 3rd largest foreign direct investor, and over 1,000 British companies are based in the city state, which is ranked number one globally by the World Bank in terms of Ease of doing business. For many such companies, is seen as an ideal springboard for business growth in the South-East Asian markets. is a hi-tech, wealthy citystate, often referred to as one of Asia s economic tigers. In recent decades, has become one of the world s most prosperous places with glittering skyscrapers and a thriving port. It has weathered regional crises, including the 1997 Asian markets slump, the 2003 SARS virus outbreak and the 2009 world banking crisis. Taylor Vinters choice of as its Asia HQ reflects significant synergies the firm identified between Cambridge and in the hi-growth technology space, in terms of environment, market access and ambition and particularly the entrepreneurs and investors that support the sector in both cities.

4 IDA is happy to support the Cambridge Connection once again this year as part of building stronger links between the UK and tech building communities. In, we have a strong accelerator community that can provide startups with great insights and access to the huge and growing Southeast Asian markets. We look forward to welcoming the UK trade delegation, and to working together to give tech product startups from both countries access to each other s markets. Steve Leonard, Executive Deputy Chairman, Infocomm Development Authority of (IDA) Our core purpose at the High Commission and the UKTI is to build networks and partnerships between the UK and that will sustain and grow our economies and create high quality jobs for our people in the future. In particular, we need to do this in highly-skilled, high-tech, high-value-added sectors and because of the excellence of each of our research bases I think that the UK and really do have scope to lead the world in this area. The Cambridge Connection has brought together research excellence, ambition and planning and I believe will deliver real value and inspire the tech communities of both countries. Antony Phillipson, High Commissioner at British High Commission, About Taylor Vinters Our clients have a passion for innovation Driven by a relentless commitment to improving their products, services and processes, they disrupt the status quo and achieve the best possible outcomes for their businesses and their customers, wherever they are located. Taylor Vinters has its roots in the innovation space, founding its business 30 years ago in Cambridge, UK, Europe s leading technology hub. Today, fast-growth technology businesses and their investors remain a core element of the Taylor Vinters client base, but are joined by a variety of multi-national companies in the media, telecoms, logistics, aviation, financial services, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and consumer industries. Taylor Vinters manages its Asian business from. Offering a highly evolved legal framework and a dynamic business culture, acts as a regional base for a wealth of international companies developing a range of innovative products and ideas with the potential to transform global commerce. The team is supported by our global network of trusted local law firms, with representation in all major markets in Asia. Cambridge Connection partners include: Last year s trip proved that is clearly a potential launchpad for European tech firms seeking to enter the Southeast Asian markets. Delegates connected with leading investors, entrepreneurs, potential business partners and government representatives seeking opportunities and partnerships in the UK and Europe. Struan McDougall, Director of Cambridge Capital Group

5 Tower 42, Level Old Broad Street London EC2N 1HQ Tel: +44 (0) Raffles Place Land Tower Tel: Merlin Place Milton Road Cambridge CB4 0DP Tel: +44 (0) Taylor Vinters is a trading name of Taylor Vinters LLP. Taylor Vinters LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (registered number OC343503) which is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. A list of members is available from our registered office: Merlin Place, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0DP. Taylor Vinters LLP Branch is regulated by the Attorney-General s Chambers of and registered by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Registration number T11FC0175C. TAY0878 May 2014.