UC SAN DIEGO LAUNCHES GLOBAL CONNECT TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISES AND REGIONAL INNOVATION WORLDWIDE

Members to benefit from international networks collective expertise and resources, and learn from San Diegos regional transformation

SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) July 21, 2003 - University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Extension today, in response to requests from across the globe for assistance in understanding the positive transformation of the San Diego economy over the last 20 years, announced the establishment of Global CONNECT, an international network of individuals, organizations and regional collaboratives supporting the establishment and growth of high technology and life science companies.

Global CONNECT will provide entrepreneurs and startups in member regions access to global capital providers and financial markets, research opportunities, corporate partners, and new customer channels. International corporations, universities, and research institutions will have a powerful new resource to link with emerging companies for partnership and collaboration. Shared best practices and resources, improved assessment of innovation capacity, and strengthened university/industry interaction will bring the benefits of globalization to regions and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Associate Vice Chancellor at UCSD and co-founder of UCSD CONNECT, Dr. Mary Walshok, said that Global CONNECT is the natural outcome of the new economy that demands regional support for technology commercialization. San Diego has a long history of successful collaboration and innovation and we are delighted to be the hub for a series of conferences, workshops and exchanges that will link regions with entrepreneurial aspirations and capabilities worldwide," said Dr. Walshok.

Support for Global CONNECT comes from members and corporate sponsorship. Sun Microsystems, a leading provider of technology solutions for life sciences companies, is the founding industry sponsor. Innovation is an integral part of Sun's philosophy, and Sun is committed to fostering the development of regional entrepreneurship in life sciences and technology," said Howard Asher, Director of Life Sciences at Sun Microsystems, Inc.

"We believe in collaborating with organizations that will help enable new technological advances and drive future economic growth, so it is a natural fit for Sun to work with Global CONNECT in supporting emerging companies around the world."

Founding leadership of the global initiative will be provided by UCSD CONNECT, Scotland CONNECT, and CONNECT Sweden, based on the regional growth acceleration that all three programs have demonstrated.
In todays competitive world, it's important for young knowledge-based companies to have rapid access to expertise, venture capital and service providers around the world in order to grow their business internationally," said Orjan Isacson, Director of CONNECT Sweden. Global CONNECT will offer that access through its members and activities."

The First Annual Global CONNECT Affiliates Meeting, scheduled for December 4th and 5th, 2003 in San Diego, will focus on the future of Global CONNECT and its impact on regions, networking among members and sponsors, and the realities of international business. Future meetings will be held at various locations abroad, reflecting the internationalization of entrepreneurship and startups.

Founding members of Global CONNECT represent a wide range of institutions and regions, all focused on the development of regional prosperity through technology based enterprises. They include the Institute for Information Industry (Taiwan), New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (New Zealand), the Canadian Consulate General-Los Angeles (Canada), Saxony Economic Development Council (Germany), the Australian Institute for Commercialization (Australia), the State Government of Victoria (Australia), CICESE (Mexico), CIAD (Mexico), the Science Center (Philadelphia/USA), Swenson Advisors (USA), DigiPort Technopole Lille-Metropole (France), University of California-Riverside CONNECT (USA), Atamo (Australia), Industrial Research Limited (New Zealand), INTEC (USA), Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources (USA), South East England Development Agency (England), Integra International (USA), New Economy Strategies (USA), GlobaLink (USA/China), Tech Harvest (USA) and the Queensland Government of Australia, Department of State Development (Australia).

Global CONNECT is an international network of businesses, higher education institutions, economic development organizations, and capital service providers that will accelerate regional innovation and create local business opportunities by harnessing global resources.

More information can be found at http://www.connect.org/globalconnect.    

Sun, Sun Microsystems and the Sun logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

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