On Tuesday, July 22, 2014 the British Consul General and Director for UK Trade & Investment USA (UKTI), Danny Lopez, visited NJIT’s Enterprise Development Center (EDC) for a tour and information session. The primary purpose of his visit was to learn about the incubator and promote UK based resources.
UKTI seeks to identify US based tech companies that may desire to enter the UK or expand their UK based operations. In addition, Consul General Lopez and his staff brought the second annual Great Tech Awards to the attention of the EDC’s tenant tech companies.
As a Soft Landings International Incubator designated by the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA), the NJIT EDC is recognized by the NBIA for having “incubation programs that are especially capable of helping non domestic companies enter the incubation market. The Enterprise Development Center was selected for the program because of its slate of business services for non-domestic firms and its demonstrated success at helping firms enter the U.S. market.” In recognition of its Soft Landings designation and the UKTI having similar goals, UKTI’s day at the EDC provided an opportunity for its staff and incubator companies to mingle and exchange information with UKTI across a broad range of services and collaboration opportunities.
Three pre-selected EDC incubator companies, Endomedix, CyberExtruder and Menssana Research, Inc., were given the opportunity to give a short presentation to Mr. Lopez, the UKTI staff, and event guests. Other incubator companies were able to set up exhibit tables showcasing the company’s products and services.
Following his presentation Endomedix CEO Richard Russo noted that as his medical device startup continues to progress, he would be “interested in exploring the Manchester area of the UK.” Endomedix is “developing hydrogel technology within the medical device market” and would specifically be seeking drug manufacturers who might handle the production of the chemical component of Endomedix’ medical device.
In addition to the tour and presentations during their visit, the UKTI promoted their Great Tech Awards that has a quickly approaching deadline of August 1st. The Awards will send six innovative tech companies to the UK for a custom business development tour.” It will “include a roundtrip flight to London, hotel accommodation, access to influential people and resources…and attendance at a UK trade show.” The Great Tech Awards is open to tech companies based in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The awards are intended to “encourage high growth technology companies …to select the UK as destination of choice for international growth.”
Photo: (left to right) Jerry Creighton, Executive Director of NJIT EDC, British Consul General and Director UK Trade & Investment USA, Judith Sheft, NJIT Associate Vice President Technology
