The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has established Global CONNECT, which is a network of individuals, organizations and regional collaboratives from all over the world to support the creation and proliferation of high technology and life sciences companies. The initiative came in response to international requests for help with understanding the last 20 years of San Diego's economy and the positive changes that have taken place. Members of Global CONNECT will benefit from the study of San Diego's regional changes, as well as the network's collective expertise and resources.

Sun is the founding industry sponsor of Global CONNECT. The group will try to offer regional startups and entrepreneurs access to capital providers and financial markets, opportunities for research, corporate partners and new customer channels. The result should be the creation of a strong resource that international corporations, universities and research institutions will have easy access to. Initial leadership for the group will come from UCSD CONNECT, Scotland CONNECT and CONNECT Sweden.

"Innovation is an integral part of Sun's philosophy, and Sun is committed to fostering the development of regional entrepreneurship in life sciences and technology," said Howard Asher, director of Life Sciences at Sun. "We believe in collaborating with organizations that will help enable new technological advances and drive future economic growth, so it is a natural fit for Sun to work with Global CONNECT in supporting emerging companies around the world."

The First Annual Global CONNECT Affiliates Meeting is scheduled for December 4th and 5th, in San Diego. The event will examine the future of the group and its potential impact on regions, networking between members and sponsors and the state of international business.

"In today's competitive world, it's important for young knowledge-based companies to have rapid access to expertise, venture capital and service providers around the world in order to grow their business internationally," said Orjan Isacson, director of CONNECT Sweden. "Global CONNECT will offer that access through its members and activities."

Founding members of Global CONNECT include: the Institute for Information Industry (Taiwan), New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (New Zealand), the Canadian Consulate General-Los Angeles (Canada), Saxony Economic Development Council (Germany), the Australian Institute for Commercialization (Australia), the State Government of Victoria (Australia), CICESE (Mexico), CIAD (Mexico), the Science Center (Philadelphia/USA), Swenson Advisors (USA), DigiPort Technopole Lille-Metropole (France), University of California-Riverside CONNECT (USA), Atamo (Australia), Industrial Research Limited (New Zealand), INTEC (USA), Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources (USA), South East England Development Agency (England), Integra International (USA), New Economy Strategies (USA), GlobaLink (USA/China), Tech Harvest (USA) and the Queensland Government of Australia-Department of State Development (Australia).

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