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“The Web Mission represents an amazing opportunity for the best of entrepreneurial UK talent to visit Silicon Valley and learn for themselves the differences that make the US a breeding ground for innovation and, more importantly, successful execution of ideas.”
—Michael Birch, founder, Bebo

Web Mission

The Web Mission is a competition to identify and support the best fast-growing Web companies in the UK. Web Mission is run by Polecat in collaboration with Oli Barratt, the Technology Strategy Board, UK Trade & Investment, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, TechCrunch, Oracle, Sun, G2I, Silicon Valley Bank, Enterprise UK, Web 2.0 Expo and a number of other key partners.

Web Mission 09 had an overwhelming response with over 100 strong companies applying. The 19 successful companies were shortlisted by judges from the Technology Strategy Board, UKTI, Oracle, TechCrunch, Enterprise UK and Doug Richard. The applications were assessed on their ability to do meaningful business in the US; from setting up office, to finding funding, to extending their network, and developing sustainable transatlantic relationships. The companies were also assessed on their business viability and the strength of the management team. The final selection also had to be balanced to form a mix of companies that showed the breadth of what the UK has to offer in this space and in a few cases the criteria was relaxed for younger companies presenting innovative ideas to be able to attend.

The Web Mission 09 companies are now back from San Francisco after an intensive week-long agenda of events meeting investors, potential partners, media and peers on the West Coast.

Future Missions

A Mission will be returning to the US next year. Future Mission plans are as follows:

  • Web Mission – the next Web Mission will focus on the businesswomen who are driving the UK’s fastest growing web and software companies global.
  • Clean & Cool Mission - Clean & Cool Mission 2010 took place in Feb 2010 and will return to San Francisco in 2012/2013. Further details can be found at www.cleanandcoolmission.com.
  • Future Health Mission - more details to be announced soon for a Future Health Mission in 2011.

Web Mission, Clean & Cool Mission and Future Health Mission, can all be contacted via
mission@meaningmine.com