MRP Training Solutions is pleased to announce it has been selected to take part in MetroConnect 2018, an export assistance program run by the World Trade Center San Diego (WTC) and designed to help San Diego companies accelerate their global growth.
This program will allow MRP Training Solutions to develop and implement a compliance program to help pursue and manage international training efforts. As a potential project has been identified, MRP Training Solutions will use the funds and assistance to travel to Australia to meet with teaming partners, identify training objectives, and establish relationships with government and industry personnel.
“MRP has been looking to expand our training efforts into the international arena for some time. As a defense contractor, we have to be confident in our abilities to manage trade and security concerns. This opportunity with MetroConnect will provide us with the foothold that we need to increase our international training efforts,” said Andrew Hayes, MRP Training Solutions’ Chief Executive Officer.
As the flagship export assistance program of World Trade Center San Diego, MetroConnect helps to cultivate a pipeline of export-ready firms to elevate San Diego’s global reach. Now in its fourth program-year, company 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. Local companies, MRP Training Solutions included, will have access to a dedicated staff manager at WTC, and will receive guidance on export compliance, financing and fundraising, among other international support services.
“We applaud MRP Training Solutions 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 20 companies selected based on a variety of criteria including market interest, assessed impact of funds, current international traction and more. Applicants were assessed by a panel of judges, including representatives from Qualcomm Ventures, Biocom, U.S. Commercial Service, Rough Draft Brewing, San Diego State University, Tech San Diego, UC San Diego, San Diego Regional EDC and WTC San Diego.
MRP Training Solutions joins a cohort of 19 other companies representing a unique cross-section of San Diego’s industries, from defense to life sciences to software and craft goods – each with plans to take San Diego innovation globally. Collectively, the cohort employs 1,181 and has a combined revenue of $392 million revenue and $115 million in international revenue.
Participating companies will also be considered for the program’s MetroConnect Grand Prize Pitchfest in June 2019, which will provide an additional $35,000 to help one or two companies further advance their global agendas. Past grand prize winners include Cypher Genomics (now part of Human Longevity, Inc.), Rough Draft Brewing and CureMatch.
MetroConnect is underwritten by JPMorgan Chase & Co., with additional support provided by Air Canada, Japan Airlines, Japan External Trade Organization, Qualcomm, SYSTRAN, Taylor Guitars, Lufthansa, City of San Diego and others.
The announcement was made by Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer and WTC San Diego on September 26 at WeWork.
