We have had broad interest in our Gateway to China pilot program as we continue to research what will be the best way to make this program a success for everyone involved.

While our original plan was to base this program on our Gateway to the US model, we have been learning to practice what we preach! We always tell Australian and New Zealand entrepreneurs that what works well in your home market, doesn't always translate to the US. The same is true with what works in a program geared to the US will most likely not work in China.

With this in mind, we have been continually refining the pilot and continue to seek the right blend of companies that will be best suited to take part in this initial offering. We are planning to run a 1-day workshop in Sydney during the 24-26 February period, with a week in Shanghai still tentatively scheduled for 20-27 March. All interested innovative Australian companies serious about the China market are encouraged to register your interest here and/or to contact Viki Forrest for more information.

It's our goal to do the ANZA China pilot program so that participating companies can maximize the opportunities during World EXPO 2010 in Shanghai.

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Innovate SA will host a roundtable breakfast on 16 February from 7:30 to 9:00 am for ANZA alumni, members and those interested in talking with ANZA CEO Viki Forrest to find out more about ANZA's Gateway and Fast Track programs for both the US and China. Special guests include Prasen Rathore, game developer and creator of Myownpad (Gateway '09) and Rachael Skinner, CEO of Zarloc (The Ross System), the South Australian state finalist in this year's G'Day USA Australian Innovation Shoot Out in Silicon Valley. Both Prasen and Rachael will talk about their experiences in US market exploration and their work with ANZA in that process. The breakfast will be held at the Innovate SA headquarters, 19 Grenfell St., Level 14, Adelaide. To RSVP, email Viki Forrest today. 

The Australian Association of Angel Investors (AAAI) is holding its 2010 National Angels Conference, dubbed "The Year of the Angel", 17-19 Feb at the Stamford Grand at Glenelg. ANZA CEO Viki Forrest will be speaking on the "Australian Trends in Corporate Investment" panel (18 Feb), presenting how this works for Australian and New Zealand companies who obtain US corporate investment. The 3-day conference is set to be the largest gathering of Australian, New Zealand and North American angel investors in Australia - all angels, or those interested in this type of investing are invited to attend. Click here for registration details.

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OPPORTUNITIES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

AUSTRALIAN ANTHILL ONLINE is available in free daily digests as well as weekly recaps. It is the source for where Australian ideas and business meet. An easy must-read for anyone interested in the Australian innovative and entrepreneurial community. Click here to subscribe today.

ADVANCE - The dynamic and diverse community of Australian professionals overseas committed to advancing Australia and Australians. Keep connected and find out about important events happening in your area of the world. Membership is FREE. Sign up by clicking here.

DELIMITER - A new site devoted to two things: Technology and Australia. Started by former ZDNet.com news editor Renai LeMay. News, opinions. feature articles, profiles and multimedia content exclusively about Australian technology.

SILICON BEACH AUSTRALIA - Join the conversation and keep up-to-date on this Google Groups site devoted to the Aussie startup ICT sector.

AUSTRALIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - San Francisco chapter (includes Silicon Valley) meets every third Thursday of the month for networking and drinks at the King George Hotel, 334 Mason (at Geary) from 6 pm onwards. Open to all Australians and non-Australians in the San Francisco Bay Area. The AACC provide a variety of social, cultural and business platforms. To find out more - click here.

DATELINE MEDIA - Receive a daily dose of business, tech, life sciences, issues and trends from the USA with an Australian angle. Subscribe to Dateline Media's free condensed format email list and keep up-to-date on what's happening in the world's largest marketplace.

ANZA TECHNOLOGY NETWORK BLOG - We do our best to bring you the best from the sites listed above as well as many more, finding the stories and posting opinions on them relevant to our members -- Aussie and Kiwi entrepreneurs looking to go global, people doing business in Silicon Valley and other key tech markets and anyone who is passionate about emerging and innovative technologies. A cross-cultural blend of what's important to our membership Down Under, in the US and points beyond. Check us out between newsletters.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY 10, 2010 - SYDNEY, NSW - Communication Alliance Industry Conference: Broadband & Beyond 2010 - Collaborating and Innovating. Explore the exciting possibilities for innovation opened up by collaboration and partnership in a broadband environment. Discover future broadband business models, strategies and opportunities for future collaboration, new partnerships for innovation, ways to balance competition and collaboration. 9 am to 5 pm, followed by networking and drinks. ANZA members can attend for $250 + GST. Register here.

FEBRUARY 16, 2010 - MELBOURNE, VIC - Grant Funding by Design. Have you ever wondered if your business could be eligible for a grant? More than 400 grants are currently available for innovative Australian companies and projects. Find out who is eligible and how to apply. Come find out more about Commercialisation Australia. Enter the code ANTHILL at this link and attend for just $45. 6 pm start.

FEBRUARY 16, 2010 - PALO ALTO, CA - SDForum presents Crafting a Fundable Roadmap. An all-day event for startup entrepreneurs in the process of developing their business plan and/or wanting to grow their company so that they can maximize their chances of attracting an outside investor for the first time. This is a working session -- bring your business plan, pitch deck and presentation to work on throughout the day. ANZA members can attend for $85 when entering the code CRAFTING at this registration link.

FEBRUARY 17-19, 2010 - ADELAIDE, SA - Australian Association of Angel Investors 2010 Conference. Three-days of master classes and networking with international angel investors. Designed for angels and those interested in this type of investing. Registration price includes 1-year membership in AAAI. Click here for details.

MARCH 4, 2010 - PALO ALTO, CA - Silicon Valley VC and Angel Conference - Every CEO wants to meet early-stage investors, this FundingPost event gives you that chance! Investor panel discussion on how to meet investors, pitch them and what it really takes to get them to write you a check. All attendees can submit a 1/4 page summary to the investor panel. Optional pitching session, with just 12 spots left. Click here for more information and registration details.


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ANZA. Innovation Rewarded.