StepOne

Trip took place on June 13, 2011Back to StepOne trip calendar

GBT Trip of June 2011

StepOne helped organize the recent Global Business Trip of June 2011, an initiative of Fundacion Banesto, in conjunction with ICEX (Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior). A total of fifteen companies participated in this last trip the Bay Area.

The companies visited the following locations as a group, learning and participating in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

• TCHO. A young chocolate company using technology to improve and customize their product. A tour of the operations was given to the GBT participants.
• Rocket Space. San Francisco’s newest incubator in the SoMa district. The companies had a tour of the offices and listened to Jose Luis Agell, CEO of Innovalley.
• Orrick San Francisco. Offices for one of the largest law firms specializing in early-stage technology companies. Here, the companies heard from Greg Heibel, a senior partner from Orrick, Carlos Cabre of Inspirit Group, and Julio Deulofeu of Keiretsu Forum.
• Google. The GBT participants heard from employees on Google innovation/culture, as well as its consumer marketing strategy. The participants also took at tour of the Googleplex and ate with employees.
• Ideo. A global design and innovation consultancy firm. The GBT participants heard from Alex Castellarnau, where he gave a tour and discussed Ideo’s work in designing the future of innovation.
• LinkedIn. A professional social network that recently IPOd on the NYSE. Participants received a tour of LinkedIn headquarters.

The companies also attended a typical Silicon Valley event, called “The Future of Media in The Digital Age” put on by the lovely ladies at Girls In Tech San Francisco. On Thursday, a private cocktail was held for the companies at Medjool in the Mission District of San Francisco. The party was informally continued by some brave GBT participants at Cantina in Union Square.

The participating companies included Futurlink, Grupo 10, Almiralabs, Fractalia, e-ducativa, Andago, Optimyth, Internet Kioskos, Biogas Fuel Cell Group, Edinn, Sellbytell, Linkovery, Madpixel, and Babel Dreams.

The Global Business Trip continues to be an outlet for many Spanish companies ranging from those who are contemplating internationalization to those who actively plan to develop their business in the United States.

Cleantech, Biotech, Telecom and Internet sectors
For information about upcoming trips, please reach us at: info@stepone.com