1. Best Practice Presentation Partner: BIC La Fucina Best Practice: Gate to California

2. Title: Gate to California Year: 2004 BIC La Fucina, (Business Innovation Centre), Milan

3. The project started from the identification of a question: “why do Italian small innovative companies (in particular in ICT sector) work only local?” Language, travel aren’t the problem anymore. General objective of the project: to introduce small ICT and Biotechnology excellent companies in Silicon Valley. A challenge because Italian companies are not famous in these sectors and in this area.

4. Methodology and tools Selection from more then 200 companies Swot analyses and partner search, made with Californian experts, for 20 best practices Technology watch Organisation of a week of one to one meetings, with BIC La Fucina tutoring, for 10 selected companies (among the 20 best practices), with big and medium US companies, universities and research centre, venture capital, public and institutional actors Follow up

5. STRENGH we started from needs analyses strategy and approach different from traditional internationalisation projects (focused on commercial aspect): companies were looking not only for new markets but also for know how, technology, finance, partners, suppliers etc. a global behaviour in their way of working we worked close to our territory we invested in communication WEAKNESS Too short time in California Lack of continuity

6. The general result is the creation of interested contacts and new concrete opportunities for small innovative companies and their global approach In particular: A new location there Contacts with finance now in progress Technology and know how transfer Participation during BIO 2004

7. To solve the weaknesses BIC La Fucina started a new project that is now in progress Swot analyses, tutoring, info point on line, incubator in San Francisco, web cast on technological topics A common trail for globalisation but with different level of access depending on companies characteristics and needs

8. PROVINCE OF MILAN Mr Andrea BOSANI INNOVINT Project Manager (Economic Activities and Innovation Department) Phone: (+39) 02.77406489 Fax: (+39) 02.77406597 E-mail: a.bosani@provincia.milano.it economialavoro@provincia.milano.it PRESENTER Mrs Chiara PENNASI Director BIC La Fucina Sesto San Giovanni (Milan) – Italy PHONE EMAIL