Global Acceleration Program 3 - USA
In May 2012, Pyksis in partnership with the ANZATechnology Network took five highly innovative Victorian
companies to the USA on the third cohort of the Global Acceleration Program (GAP).
For two weeks companies were embedded in the heart of Silicon Valley and partnered with industry expert US mentors to assist them in developing detailed market entry strategies, develop relationships required to enter the US market whilst learning how to set up business, undertake market research, pitch for partners and capital in the worlds largest economy.
"Victorian and Australian innovative companies have world class technologies....our job is to assist them develop the strategies, business structures and understandings assisting them achieve global success" said Mark Gustowski, Program Manager for the GAP.
John Johnston, Managing Director of Pyksis said, "We know the companies we work with have world class innovations, sometimes they just need a little help commercialising their products and services....GAP addresses the issue of taking Victorian companies into both the USA and China markets".
The Global Acceleration Program is supported by the Victorian State Government's Department of Business and Innovation and the program aims to accelerate the rate at which Victorian Innovation Companies enter global markets.
"We have taken over 20 companies into international markets through GAP....whilst the aim of the program isn't to achieve immediate sales (the program exists so companies can develop the structures, relationships and understandings to sustainability enter global markets in a managed way)...GAP has already resulted in millions of dollars in sales and opportunities for participant companies", Mr Gustowski said.
"We hope other State governments in Australia can take Victoria's lead and aggressively assist some of our best and most innovative companies enter global markets, success in this programs means jobs, investment, export and capability development across the board".
The GAP program for this cohort has both established and start-up companies from a variety of innovative sectors including innovative textiles, sports training equipment, packaging, portable dance floors and food processing.