Choose Washington delegation aims to boost business at Mobile World Congress Americas
Department of Commerce hosts nine innovative companies, including several new startups, from state’s massive mobile tech sector in Los Angeles Sept. 12-14
Olympia, Wash. – With more than 200,000 workers and 14,000 companies, Washington state is the epicenter for innovation in cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), gaming, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Executives from businesses in the state’s massive information and communications technology (ICT) sector join the Department of Commerce this week for Mobile World Congress Americas in Los Angeles. The international event is expected to draw more than 21,000 attendees from 110 countries and over 1,000 exhibitors, Sept. 12-14.
The Choose Washington booth, located in West Hall (W1212), features a mix of startups and established businesses: Chatbox, Codeproof Technologies, Fulcrum Technologies, Orca Wave, Pivotal Commware, Ripl, Syntonic, SURF Incubator and Tupl.
Department of Commerce specialists organize business matchmaking introductions for their exhibitor companies to meet with potential customers, partners and investors. In addition, all nine members of the 2018 delegation are taking advantage of State Trade Expansion Promotion (STEP) program vouchers to help offset the cost of these international business development activities.
Many startups and small tech companies would not be able to attend trade shows of this caliber without the U.S. Small Business Administration vouchers offered through Commerce. Washington state has the most successful STEP program in the nation. To date, 446 companies have logged more than $667 million in new export sales with assistance from this popular program.
“Fulcrum is a software company with customers from Seattle to India…but little marketing budget. Without the support of the Washington State Department of Commerce and the STEP program, we would not be able to attend Mobile World Congress and would miss out on the many expansion opportunities this event affords us,” said Ric Reifel, Fulcrum Technologies, Inc. vice president of global sales and marketing. Fulcrum is a leading provider of asset life cycle management solutions.
“Joining the Washington state delegation at Mobile World Congress Americas gives Ripl the opportunity for brand exposure and business development meetings with other mobile software companies that we otherwise wouldn’t have,” said Clay McDaniel, Ripl’s chief operating officer. “Qualifying for an export voucher really pushed us over the top to attend, because it supports our plans for broader global customer acquisition and helps offset participation costs – both of which are crucial for a scrappy startup like us.” Ripl was awarded Geekwire’s 2017 App of the Year.
“Washington state has established an international reputation as a giant in cloud computing and tech innovation,” said Brian Bonlender, state Commerce director. “Game-changing mobile apps, advances in IoT, virtual and augmented reality, AI, machine learning and blockchain are transforming every industry sector from aerospace and agriculture to life sciences and clean energy. Mobile technology strengthens communities everywhere by untethering new business opportunities and jobs far beyond the Seattle tech epicenter.”
Washington State ICT Industry Snapshot:
- 14,000 companies
- 267,000+ high tech workers
- $25 billion+ in annual wages
- 90,000 software developers
- 420+ gaming companies employing over 23,000
- $20 billion in direct revenue from gaming – about 1/5 of the world’s total
For more information about Washington companies featured in the Choose Washington booth, visit us online and follow us during #MWCA18 on twitter and Facebook @WAStateCommerce #ChooseWashington. Download Exhibitor Directory.
Contacts:
Penny Thomas, Commerce Communications, 206-256-6106
Julie Monahan, ICT Business Development Manager, 206-256-6147