Envision Solar Joins MetroConnect to Expand International Growth
San Diego – Envision Solar is pleased to announce it has been selected to take part in MetroConnect 2017, an export assistance program run by the World Trade Center San Diego (WTC) and designed to help San Diego companies accelerate their global growth. The announcement will be made later today by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and WTC San Diego.
This program will provide Envision Solar with additional resources to reach and educate potential international customers through tradeshow attendance and website expansion.
Drive on Sunshine, Thrive on Sunshine
As the flagship export assistance program of World Trade Center San Diego, MetroConnect seeks to cultivate a pipeline of export-ready firms to elevate San Diego’s global reach. Now in its third year, program participants will receive a $10,000 grant, presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co., and a suite of programmatic support services to assist with international expansion strategies. Program participants will have access to a dedicated staff manager at WTC San Diego, and will receive guidance on export compliance, financing and fundraising, among other international support services.
“We applaud Envision Solar for taking the next step in going global,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of World Trade Center San Diego. “With SMEs like this at the forefront, San Diego must continue to increase its export capacity and boost the region’s global identity. MetroConnect is equipping these companies with the resources necessary to do just that.”
The MetroConnect program is highly competitive, with just 15 selected based on a variety of criteria, including interest in new markets, interest in targeted metro markets, assessed impact of funds, current international traction and more. Applicants were assessed by a panel of judges, including representatives from Qualcomm Ventures, Biocom, UC San Diego, Rough Draft Brewing, San Diego State University, Tech San Diego, U.S. Department of Commerce, UC San Diego, San Diego Regional EDC and WTC San Diego.
Envision Solar joins a cohort of 14 other companies representing a unique cross-section of San Diego’s industries, from cleantech to maritime to craft brewing and life sciences – each with plans to take San Diego innovation globally.
Participating companies will also be considered for the program’s MetroConnect Grand Prize Pitchfest in May 2018, which will provide an additional $35,000 to help one or two companies further advance their global agendas.
MetroConnect is underwritten by JPMorgan Chase & Co., with additional support provided by Air Canada, CDC Small Business Finance, Japan Airlines, Japan External Trade Organization, Qualcomm, SYSTRAN, Taylor Guitars and others.
About Envision Solar
Envision Solar International, Inc. is a San Diego based sustainable technology innovation company. Envision distinguishes itself with unique and advanced renewably energized electric vehicle (EV) charging, media and branding and energy security systems. Our highly valuable and diverse product portfolio is based upon our patented EV ARC™ and Solar Tree® product lines. All of our products can be enhanced with EnvisionTrak™ patented solar tracking, ARC Technology™ energy storage, SunCharge™ Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and digital advertising packages.
At Envision Solar, we create unique products that bring value to three specific verticals, electric vehicle (EV) charging, media and branding systems and energy security. We chose these verticals because they are each experiencing rapid growth, have massive opportunities for scale and can benefit significantly from the introduction of intelligently engineered solar powered products. We’ve ensured that our products can simultaneously be rapidly deployed, offer meaningful financial returns and improve the environment. The growth rates in the EV charging infrastructure, outdoor media platforms and solar energy production are staggering. The amounts spent over the next few years will be in the multiples of billions and we believe that we have the most elegant and robust products in the industry to serve this growth.
We invent, engineer and manufacture products in our San Diego facility where our team of combat veterans, disabled workers and other valuable team members proudly integrate the highest quality components into our Made in America products. Our vision, experience and commitment to the environment and design has made us the market leader.
About World Trade Center San Diego
World Trade Center San Diego operates as an affiliate of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. WTC San Diego works to further San Diego’s global competitiveness by building an export pipeline, attracting and retaining foreign investment and increasing San Diego’s global profile abroad. sandiegobusiness.org/wtcsd