Global Software Leads High-Tech Finnish Companies to U.S. Markets

 Global Software announces the successful completion of its U.S. and Silicon Valley phase during which 8 Finnish software companies met with over 100 potential U.S. customers and partners, such as Comerica's Tech/Life Sciences Group (TLS). Global Software is an innovative business development, marketing and networking program that teaches leading Finnish software companies how to take a global approach and effectively break into the North American States. The three-phase program teaches comprehensive skills, including marketing, public relations and sales that allow companies to evaluate the potential for globalization and to penetrate new markets effectively and efficiently.

"In order to be successful, Finnish software companies must globalize," said Juhani Saukkonen, Executive Director (Finland) at Global Software. "The United States is the biggest software market in the world and therefore provides a wonderful proving ground for companies who want to create a global presence in the technology marketplace. Software spending in the U.S. is 100 times bigger than Finland. Meanwhile, U.S. companies will have the opportunity to partner with these Finnish companies and leverage technologies that might not normally be available to them."

Initial results of the program, which is offered annually, exhibit the potential of the program. Since its inception, 60 companies have graduated from the Global Software program -- and half of them have already successfully closed deals in North America. Meanwhile, forty companies have entered the program since December 2003, and have achieved similar results.

As a one-stop, solutions-oriented bank and partner to Global Software Comerica has been instrumental in working with these Finnish companies. "We look at this project with Global Software as a great example of Comerica-TLS's intent to reach out to Technology and Life Science companies worldwide who wish to come and compete in the U.S.," said Edward Lambert, Senior Vice President, Comerica's Tech/Life Sciences Group. "The U.S. remains the best marketplace from which to build significant company growth and we welcome companies of the quality of those from Finland to work with us both domestically and internationally."

The Global Software program has three segments in which professional coaches lead companies through concrete process and strategy involved in extending a company into the global market. Part I "Getting Ready for Global Markets" outlines marketing and strategic positioning so that companies can hone their message and presentation for the North American Market. Part II "Tailoring Business Strategy for North American Markets" includes training and strategy on press and analyst tours, as well as business marketing. Finally, Phase III "One-on-One Appointments" provides solid guidance on closing deals and selling in the context of appointments with potential customers, partners and investors.

About Global Software

Founded in 1998, Global Software is the most comprehensive business development, marketing and networking program available for Finnish companies. The program allows these software intensive companies to effectively target and investigate global markets with a focus on North America. Global Software provides a network of prominent business practitioners in all major U.S. high-tech hubs: Silicon Valley, Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Dallas and others. More than 60 companies have already participated in the programs with proven results. For more information about Global Software or its program, visit the company's website at http://oyt.oulu.fi/globalsoftware/ or email brendajfox@globalconnexus.com.