The government has opened applications for a £3.4m programme supporting 200 established UK scaleups, offering tailored commercial advice, investor introductions, and opportunities to expand into international markets.
Scale UK Connect will provide participating businesses with 12 months of support, including individual growth assessments, specialist workshops, commercial introductions, and access to networks of investors and potential customers.
The national pilot is being delivered by London & Partners on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, alongside regional business development organisations.
Unlike programmes intended primarily to help entrepreneurs establish new businesses, Scale UK Connect targets companies that have already developed commercial operations and need additional support to expand.
Applicants must be registered and based in the UK, employ at least ten people including founders, and have annual turnover and/or investment of at least £2m. They must also demonstrate ambitions to scale their operations or expand internationally.
The programme is particularly suited to businesses operating in the eight growth-driving sectors identified in the government’s industrial strategy, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital technology, life sciences, financial services, and professional services.
Businesses accepted into the scheme will receive a diagnostic assessment and an individual growth plan. These will be used to identify areas where commercial advice, leadership development, investment connections, or market access could support expansion.
The available support includes workshops and peer learning with other business leaders, introductions to investors and corporate partners, and opportunities to explore overseas markets through targeted international visits.
The scheme does not provide an automatic grant or investment allocation to participating companies. Its funding supports the delivery of advisory services and commercial opportunities, while businesses seeking capital must continue to secure financing through appropriate investors or lenders.
London & Partners will coordinate delivery with organisations including Manchester Growth Company, West Midlands Growth Company, TechSPARK in the South West, Tech SY in Yorkshire, and Pathways Forward in Scotland.
The geographical structure is intended to connect companies outside London with established investment and international trade networks. Businesses based in regional technology and manufacturing clusters can therefore access support without relocating their operations to the capital.
Expanding companies often face different financial and management requirements from those involved in establishing a business. Entering international markets can involve developing local commercial relationships, adapting services to regulatory requirements, and recruiting experienced staff, while larger investment rounds require more extensive financial planning and governance.
The programme will address those needs through individual support rather than applying the same services to every participant. Companies can concentrate on the commercial obstacles most relevant to their expansion plans.
Scale UK Connect builds on London & Partners’ Grow London Global programme, which supported 265 businesses with overseas expansion during 2025/26. London & Partners estimates that those companies generated £595m in gross value added, with more than 6,600 jobs expected through their growth activity.
Applications remain open until January 2027. The first cohort is scheduled to begin in February, followed by a year of tailored support. The government expects a final evaluation of the pilot in April 2028.
Selection will depend on applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and demonstrating suitable growth ambitions. The initial programme has capacity for 200 businesses across the UK.
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