Cardiff Bay-based interactive media provider, Cube Interactive, and neighbouring website solutions company, SubHub, who both operate out of Mount Stuart Square, will join 37 of the UK's leading creative businesses on the second annual Digital Mission to the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSWi) in Austin, Texas.

They are hoping the increasingly popular festival will help them make the most of opportunities in global markets and attract international business partnerships that will boost the Welsh economy.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, says opportunities like Digital Mission are important for helping businesses to flourish in the economy:

"The creative industry has one of the biggest parts to play in our economy, and so it is important that the right frameworks are in place to help our businesses tap into the growth of international markets and harness the opportunities they have to offer.

"By promoting opportunities which enable businesses to develop, Creative Business Wales is helping to support the growth of an active and versatile ground in which the creative industry can thrive in Wales."

The trip has been organised by Chinwag, on behalf of UK Trade and Investment, to help the UK's top digital firms mix with industry leaders and give them a competitive edge in foreign markets.

Their mission is being backed by Creative Business Wales, who provide support for creative and digital businesses as part of a strategy to develop the creative industries by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The SXSWi Festival brings together some of the world's brightest minds in the creative industries, embracing web developers, designers, bloggers and new media entrepreneurs.

Companies selected for the Digital Mission will have opportunities to attend hundreds of networking events, develop new business channels and forge international partnerships as well as gain valuable insight into the US market.

Miles Galliford, Co-founder of SubHub, said: "This trip is a rare and exciting chance to network with our overseas peers and promote the SubHub brand. It's a huge honour to be one of the few companies selected to attend.

"Up to 70% of our target audience is based in the US, making it hugely beneficial for us to gain fresh insight into what's going on overseas, so that we can make sure we're correctly targeting our market and understanding any new competition and emerging technologies."

The Welsh Assembly Government has recently commissioned a major independent review into the creative industries in Wales that will identify how public funds can be used to protect the future of the Welsh media and support the film industry. The report by Ian Hargreaves is due to be published later this month.

Notes:

Chinwag are a community media company founded in 1996 who support people and companies who work in the digital industry. Based in London, they provide a focal point for practitioners from the UK and beyond.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets, offering expertise and contacts through national and global network.

Creative Business Wales, part of International Business Wales (IBW) was established in 2006 to help deliver the Welsh Assembly Government strategy for the creative industry in Wales. It supports and encourages Welsh creative businesses within the television, film, music and new/interactive media sectors that make a significant contribution to the economy.

SXSW Interactive Festival (SXSWi) brings together the world's most creative entrepreneurs in the creative industry, featuring five days of keynote presentations and proactive panel sessions with hands-on training. Businesses can benefit from the Trade Show & Exhibition, as well as evening networking events and hands-on gaming at the SreenBurn Arcade. The Interactive Festival is a more recent addition to the wider South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences and Festivals which also features the famous Music and Media Conference and the Film Conference and Festival. The event aims to foster creative and professional growth by offering a forum for learning, networking and business activity and is regarded as a launch pad for creative thinking.