UK Business Expansion Programme

About

A six-month, five-phase programme supports Indian deeptech startups and SMEs in preparing for UK market entry through a four-week online bootcamp, a demo day and a curated UK delegation for top performers.

Benefits

• 🇬🇧UK market readiness
  Selected companies take part in a four-week online bootcamp covering go-to-market strategy for the UK, the regulatory and legal landscape, market insights and introductions across the cohort.
• 🤝Warm introductions
  Every selected company is part of warm introductions before the UK delegation travel.
• 🎤Demo day and reverse pitch
  Selected companies pitch to British High Commission representatives, who brief the cohort on UK entry incentives and support available through the consulate network.
• ✈️ Curated UK delegation visit (conditional)
  Top performers from the bootcamp and demo day travel to the UK for a curated schedule of meetings with investors, government bodies and corporates; participating companies cover their own travel and accommodation.
• 🧭Post-programme support
  Continued mentorship, structured feedback and exposure to future opportunities.
• 💸No programme fee
  There is no programme fee to take part.

Eligibility Criteria

• Indian-registered companies building in one of the target sectors are the intended applicants.
• The programme is built for companies with a proven, market-ready product at TRL 9 or above and at scale-up stage.
• It is built for companies with an active plan to enter international markets within the next 12 to 18 months.
• The call is open to Indian companies in the target sectors whether or not they have a prior connection to ISB.
• No existing UK entity or customer is required.

Participation Commitments

• The programme runs for six months across five phases: scouting and selection, a four-week online bootcamp, a one-day demo day and reverse pitch, a UK delegation visit, and post-programme support.
• Every selected company takes part in the bootcamp and demo day and in warm introductions before travel.
• A founder or senior leader is expected to be able to commit to the bootcamp and travel with the delegation.
• Founder-level attendance is expected during the online bootcamp.
• Participating companies cover their own travel and accommodation for the UK delegation visit.
• There is no programme fee to take part.

Target Sector

Semiconductors & Electronics, Telecommunications, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Other

Target Location

India (Indian-registered companies; open to Indian startups and SMEs).