A THREE TOWNS man is heading to the USA to rub shoulders with the world’s tech giants in Silicon Valley.

Saltcoats-born Alan Wilson, creator and founder of Expandly, has beaten thousands of global companies to be selected for ‘Blackbox Connect’, a two-week, US residential programme designed to immerse international start-up founders in the Silicon Valley culture.

As part of the process, Alan will have the opportunity to live in Blackbox Mansion – a ‘Big Brother house for start-ups’ – where he will collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs from around the world, as well as taking part in an intense agenda of meetings and workshops with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, investors, experts, and executives.

Alan said: “I am delighted to have been chosen – it’s a dream opportunity for me to follow in the Blackbox footsteps of some amazing companies who have all gone on to be hugely successful.

“Going to the heart of Silicon Valley, and being able to make contacts, gain knowledge and be surrounded by the buzz of fellow entrepreneurs will help accelerate the development of Expandly, along with enhancing my own business acumen.

“I’m very much looking forward to learning from the experts.” Expandly, an online multi-channel inventory and order management platform, enables businesses and individuals to combine product sales across multi-channels such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify and Alibaba. This innovative and time-saving system caught the eye of the Blackbox Connect judging panel and impressed them enough for Alan to be invited to join the programme.

Blackbox Connect, partnered by Google for Entrepreneurs, brings together a handful of carefully selected, top start-up entrepreneurs from around the world, giving them access to mentorship, intense training, and investors. Blackbox Connect was founded by Silicon Valley veteran Fadi Bishara, whose professional background is as a recruiter for fast-growth start-ups, including Zynga, SixApart and Tapulous.

He launched Blackbox in order to, “inject global start-ups into the ecosystem, mindset and ‘magic’ of Silicon Valley”; enabling entrepreneurs to access the expertise needed to expand their ideas, and develop a global marketplace strategy.

During the programme, Alan will receive invaluable advice and feedback from industry experts, venture capitalists, and successful founders, on a wide range of business strategies and practical elements.

After the initial two weeks, Alan will then stay on in Silicon Valley to pitch his business to potential investors.

On his return home, he will continue to receive the long term support of the project, even having the opportunity to discuss opening an American office.