Accelerating Investment Export Pathway

Description

Accelerating Investment is part of the Accelerating Business Growth portfolio in the Space Ecosystem Development team. The Accelerating Investment Export Pathway builds on a successful Accelerating Investment pilot in 2024/25 which funded investment focused accelerators. The focus of this Accelerating Investment initiative will be to support near ready SMEs to explore and make ready to successfully compete in international markets. The ambition to support UK businesses to scale and boost the UK economy is a Government and UK Space Agency priority; supporting international exports is a significant way to increase trade. Accessing international markets can be especially challenging for SMEs where many want to engage with the Department for Business and Trade or with trade missions but are not ready to export or lack the knowledge and skills to effectively engage. The purpose of this intervention is to focus on upskilling the businesses to be ready to access the opportunities that the Department for Business and Trade provide and is aligned to the UK Space Agency corporate plan and priorities and HMG objectives for fostering economic growth by stimulating international trade. Economic and international growth ambitions are detailed in the National Space Strategy and Space Industrial Plan. The UK Space Agency wants to engage a partner or consortium of partners who will deliver the Accelerating Investment Export Pathway. The successful organisation will develop world class programme and deliver against the following objectives to accelerate the international growth of high potential businesses (who currently do not export), helping them to compete more effectively on a global scale. Key objectives are: Market Entry Support: Export Pathway will provide guidance and resources to help companies identify and enter new international markets effectively. Tailored Advice: Support participants by providing expertise and advice addressing the specific needs of each business and help them to create action plans to achieve identified goals. Capacity Building: Review business structure and provide advice and recommendations to strengthen the internal capabilities of businesses to sustain and grow their export activities. Networking Opportunities: Provide professional and peer networking opportunities to enhance the learning experience from experts and those who have successfully exported space technologies. Regulatory Guidance: Assist businesses in navigating the regulatory requirements of different countries. Financial Assistance: Provide access to funding and financial incentives to support export activities. Trade Mission: Organise a short trade mission having engaged with relevant authorities (such as DBT). Facilitate connections with potential international partners, clients, and investors. Total Contract Value: £500,000.00 (inclusive of VAT) Intending to procure via call-off from the Space Enabled and Geospatial Services DPS by 28 July 2025.