‘One-of-a-kind’ opportunity for Welsh entrepreneurs to collaborate with world-famous university, opens.

Gareth Jones, CEO at TownSq

A unique funding opportunity for ambitious Welsh businesses to travel to one of the world’s most prestigious technical colleges is now open for applications. 

Though little-known, Wales has a long-standing association with the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston through its Industrial Liaison Program.

The programme, normally restricted to industrial partners and blue-chip organisations such as Mitsubishi, BT or Apple, will give Welsh startups and small businesses direct access to the various events, research and entrepreneurial ecosystems associated with the campus.

The trip will take place in just over two months' time, from the 16th of November to the 22nd and will include the annual R&D conference, a curated tour of the campus, and opportunities to collaborate with other entrepreneurs based in the Greater Boston area.

Small business experts, Town Square Spaces Ltd (TownSq) are facilitating the trip on behalf of the Welsh Government, with its CEO Gareth Jones having been part of previous Boston trade missions. 

Gareth said: “The relationship between Wales and MIT is a real hidden gem and one we’ve not made the most of in the past few years. MIT has spent 80 years leading on innovation; Research and development is a philosophy there, it’s unavoidable and for Welsh businesses to have the chance to soak up that culture is an important step to creating our own national innovation culture.  

“It really can’t be overstated what an opportunity this is. They live and breathe innovation at MIT, it’s simply part of the culture. I know from previous trips how much I personally have learned and it’s fantastic to be able to bring some of the brightest Welsh businesses to see what seeds can be sewn, and what opportunities we can develop to grow the innovation culture here in Wales.”   

The deadline to apply is 30th September, and with only a small number of places available, applicants are advised to get in touch with the team at mit@townsq.co.uk.