The launch of a pilot UK2China Market Expansion Programme is offering grants of up to £500k or more to UK companies looking to expand their businesses into China.

The pilot programme, which provides practical assistance to UK companies, is focused on Jiangsu province, one of China’s most innovative product manufacturing economies. The programme will help UK companies negotiate collaborations with Chinese companies and source funding from the Jiangsu government.

It will also assist companies who wish to set up their China offices in Jiangsu. Isis Innovation, which is the research and technology commercialisation company of the University of Oxford, expects that most grants will be in the range of £500k or more.

 Many provinces in China offer attractive schemes to attract foreign companies.  A cooperation agreement was signed between the UK and Jiangsu provincial governments late last year. Tim Standbrook, Consul Science & Innovation, British Consulate-General Shanghai, commented:

“The UK and Chinese governments are working together closely to increase innovation collaboration and finance. This has been a key message of recent summit meetings. In practical terms, Isis Innovation is setting an example of how successfully to establish and grow innovation relationships on the ground.”

 “We are therefore pleased to note the launch of their new UK2China programme, and are keen to support innovation activity of this kind.  We recognize China’s increasing focus on innovation and demand for innovative products, and would encourage UK companies and research institutes to look at the opportunities China presents. We work closely with Jiangsu Province, and recognize it as one of China’s foremost centres for innovation. Existing case studies show that Jiangsu welcomes innovative companies looking to establish a presence there.”

 A number of Jiangsu provincial grants are available to support the following:

1. Introduction of international teams and companies who may benefit from:

• Startup grants of maximum £100k to establish their own Chinese offices
• Relocation assistance providing additional grants in the range £100k-500k to cover all the daily expenses of experts working in Jiangsu

2. International collaboration projects between Jiangsu companies and UK organisations to develop new products; unlimited financial support is available this year, in practice we expect most grants will most be in the range of £500k or more.

 3. International collaboration projects initiated by teams moving to China can apply to both funding schemes.

Apart from the provincial schemes each city has similar supporting grants which are also available to both international talents and projects.

Isis Innovation consultants managing the UK2China Market Expansion Programme can assist UK companies to:

• Identify potential local partners from the research, business or investment communities
• Arrange visits and meetings with Chinese partners either in the UK or China
• Assist in communications between UK and Chinese organisations
• Identify and administer applications for grant funding
• Provide administration support post funding to satisfy grant terms and conditions
• Provide support during the applications process to companies who wish to set up their own Chinese companies and offices

Dr David Baghurst, Managing Director of Isis Innovation (Hong Kong) explained:

“Isis Innovation has been working in Jiangsu since 2008, we have created a network of offices and our local teams have helped technology based projects from the UK and Europe become established in the province.  The availability of an uncapped source of funding support from the provincial government means that this is a very good time for UK companies to explore collaboration opportunities in the province”. 

Tom Chen, Head of Isis’s Jiangsu team said there is strong demand from partners and the Chinese market for new innovations in a range of areas, including new information technology, numerical control tools and robotics, ocean engineering equipment power equipment and new material.

In 2009 Isis Innovation established a subsidiary company in Hong Kong to build network connections with business and investment contacts throughout Asia.  The Hong Kong company has gone on to create a network of joint venture companies, associates and collaborations with more than 25 staff involved in international technology transfer.

Isis Innovation is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked 1st in the UK for university spin-outs, having created more than 100 new companies in 25 years. In the last financial year it completed 395 licenses and consulting agreements. 

Contact Dr Wenming Ji Senior Consultant, Isis Innovation Limited for further information.

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