Web Mission 2011 kicked off on Saturday: 18 of
the UK's most successful, fast-growing technology companies have
been awarded the opportunity to take part in a trade mission to
Silicon Valley. For one week they will network, pitch their hearts
out and learn all they can from some of the biggest tech businesses
in the world. Oli Barrett reports - from seat
47E.
I am sitting in seat 47E on British Airways flight 285 to San
Francisco. The seatbelt sign has been switched off, and people are
beginning to move about the cabin.Behind me, two entrepreneurs pass
an iPad between them, already engaged in an ancient Chinese board
game called Go. Across the aisle, a CEO settles down to watch
The Social Network, now required reviewing for
business visitors.
After months of planning, we are on our way at last. Welcome to
WebMission, the week where 18 entrepreneurs from around the UK
get to spend a week on the West Coast of the US,
exploring as many opportunities as possible, meeting investors,
partners and the media. Some of them may wish to keep those
seatbelts fastened!
A range of partners have come together to make this week happen.
From UKTI and the Technology Strategy Board through to
international law firm Orrick, it would not be possible without
some great sponsors. The companies pay their own way, so this is
not a free ride!
We will visit Twitter and Microsoft, and meet up with Techcrunch and new incubator KickLabs. The
companies, who were selected from more than 100 who applied, will
be pitching to VCs on Tuesday morning and we are co-hosting a San
Francisco Drink Tank (the event which began in London) on
Wednesday.
I think it's fair to say that the week will be pretty busy, and
I'm hoping that some of the mission companies will be able to share
their experiences with you as the days go by.
The one thing I have learned on WebMission is that there is only
so much you can plan in advance. Sometimes the best opportunities
come from where you least expect. In a way, I hope some of the
participants relate to the line in The Social Network: "We don't
even know what it is yet...We don't know what it can be. We don't
know what it will be".
Strangely, one of things I'm looking forward to most it catching
up with some of the Brits. Michael
and Xochi Birch sold Bebo almost exactly three years ago. We'll
be hearing about their latest ventures and plans. Andy McLoughlin, founder of Huddle, attended
the very first WebMission and has recently moved to San Francisco.
It will be good to hear the lessons he has learned and the things
he wishes he'd known sooner.
Most of all, I'm looking forward to spending a week in the
company of some really interesting entrepreneurs.
Looking around the plane and seeing the conversations
already taking shape, I predict they will work hard and play hard.
I think that we're in for a good week.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a film to watch and a couple
of hours of precious sleep to catch before the adventure
begins...
Two WebMission companies will be blogging daily from
San Francisco: Gareth Williams, CEO and co-founder of
Skyscanner and Max Williams, CEO of Pusher (no relation!) will
be keeping you up-to-date with all the gossip, connections and
lessons from WebMission 2011. Tune in later for the first
updates.