The Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) mission is inviting Black, Asian and mixed background tech entrepreneurs from Greater Manchester to register their interest for a four-day transatlantic trade mission to Chicago from September 26-29.
The mission is aimed at B2B tech sector founders, and offers a total of 15 places for businesses from either London or Greater Manchester. It will help them to forge new connections, and explore expansion and investment opportunities in the U.S.
According to a global report by policy organisation Startup Genome, Chicago is the world’s 19th best start-up region and around a third of their start-ups have either a woman or a person of colour as a founder.
The trip is part funded and participants will have the cost of lodgings, meals and attendance at all events covered. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet corporations, establish new trade opportunities, join investor roundtables and networking events.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “Our city-region is the fastest-growing digital and tech hub in Europe, but for that growth to benefit everyone we need to be tackling digital inequalities and ensuring that everyone can develop the skills and forge the connections they need to succeed.”
Last year’s delegates included Gori Yahaya, CEO and founder of training provider UpSkill Digital. Yahaya said: “The REACH mission helped us open doors that we never would have thought possible in such a short space of time. This mission enabled us to begin conversations with major players such as Wells Fargo and Comcast, and secure major contracts delivering inclusion and leadership programmes with US giants, Walmart.”
The deadline for businesses to register interest is July 15. Learn more at Greater Manchester’s Business Growth Hub or email [email protected].
