‘One-of-a-kind’ opportunity for Welsh entrepreneurs to collaborate with world-famous university opens
‘One-of-a-kind’ opportunity for Welsh entrepreneurs to collaborate with world-famous university opens
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A unique funding opportunity has opened for ambitious Welsh businesses to visit one of the world’s most prestigious technical institutions — the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.
The initiative, backed by the Welsh Government, will give startups and small businesses access to MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program, a network usually reserved for global industrial partners and blue-chip organisations such as Mitsubishi, BT and Apple.
The week-long trip will run from 16–22 November and will include MIT’s annual R&D conference, a curated campus tour, and opportunities to collaborate with entrepreneurs and innovators from the Greater Boston area.
Though relatively unknown, Wales has a long-standing relationship with MIT through the programme, which provides access to the university’s world-class research, events and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The mission is being facilitated by TownSq, specialists in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs. TownSq CEO and Businessin Wales columnist Gareth Jones, who has taken part in previous Boston trade missions, described the opportunity as “a real hidden gem.”
Jones said: “The relationship between Wales and MIT is a real hidden gem and one we’ve not made the most of in the past few years. MIT has spent 80 years leading on innovation; Research and development is a philosophy there, it’s unavoidable and for Welsh businesses to have the chance to soak up that culture is an important step to creating our own national innovation culture.
“It really can’t be overstated what an opportunity this is. They live and breathe innovation at MIT, it’s simply part of the culture. I know from previous trips how much I personally have learned and it’s fantastic to be able to bring some of the brightest Welsh businesses to see what seeds can be sewn, and what opportunities we can develop to grow the innovation culture here in Wales.”
Applications are now open for Welsh startups and SMEs looking to secure a place on the visit, which aims to strengthen Wales’s ties with one of the world’s leading centres for research and innovation.
The deadline to apply is 30th September, and with only a small number of places available, applicants are advised to get in touch with the team at mit@townsq.co.uk.
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