techUK’s Market Access Brief: International Opportunities for tech companies
Welcome to the latest Market Access Brief insight. This is a new fortnightly insight which focuses on the events, opportunities, trade missions, as well as wider updates that we have within the techUK International programme and from our members and stakeholders.
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Separately, we wanted to note that if you are a techUK member, you are entitled to advertising events, updates, and opportunities to our wider network of members, prospects, and stakeholders, through this newsletter. To do this, please email [email protected].
Following the success of techUK’s delegation to the 2025 G7 in Ottawa, we are delighted to announce we will be repeating the delegation to Canada’s capital city from 22-24 September 2026. The delegation is a fantastic opportunity particularly for defence, cyber, national security and justice tech companies to engage directly with the Canadian Government, explore commercial opportunities, and build relationships with Canadian companies and stakeholders. This delegation costs £500 for members and £750 for non-members to attend. You can find out more and sign up on our website.
techUK is leading a member delegation to San Francisco Tech Week, bringing together startups, tech giants and VC investors from across the globe. The trip offers members B2B networking, the chance to pitch to investors, and insight into one of the world's most important tech hubs, with techUK and the Department for Business and Trade supporting delegates on the ground. Open to all techUK members (one representative per company) - get in touch to register your interest.
techUK invites members to join our delegation to the tenth US-UK SME Dialogue in Cardiff. Convened by the Department for Business and Trade alongside USTR, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Dialogue is an opportunity to connect directly with US and UK policymakers and with SMEs shaping transatlantic tech and trade. With both governments looking to advance the Technology Prosperity Deal and Economic Prosperity Deal - covering digital trade, AI governance and tech regulation - this visit will provide valuable context and access for UK tech businesses navigating the US landscape. Find out more & sign up here.
techUK invites members to join our delegation to Geneva from 14-17 September for the WTO’s Public Forum and World Tech and Trade Day.
The WTO Public Forum gathers over 2,000 representatives of civil society, academia, business, government, international organisations and media to Geneva to discuss the latest developments in global trade. The Public Forum’s focus theme this year is Trade in Services, while the World Tech and Trade Day taking place on the 14th is focused on AI and Trade: Turning Potential into Progress. These events and the delegation are free to attend, find out more and sign up on our website here.
techUK is offering the chance for members and select non-members to join a techUK delegation to Kyiv & then Lviv, Ukraine, Ukraine for the IT Arena tech conference as well as meetings with the Ukrainian Government and Ukrainian tech companies. IT Arena is Ukraine’s biggest tech conference which covers several technology verticals including defence-technology. The delegation will take place between September 24-28, with the tech conference taking place on 25-27 September. Find out more and express your interest here.
techUK Financial Services Delegation to Zurich will strengthen UK–Swiss commercial and regulatory ties, create market access opportunities, and connect members with key Swiss institutions, companies, regulators, and policymakers. The delegation is designed for companies operating in Financial Services and Cloud, and is suitable for companies working in Artificial Intelligence; Digital Assets; or who wish to expand their operations into Switzerland. This delegation costs £250 for members and £500 for non-members to attend. You can find out more and register your interest on our website.
techUK is pleased to invite members to attend our defence delegation to Berlin for Bitkom’s DefTech Day and to Brussels. The delegation is a significant opportunity for defence tech companies, especially startups and scaleups, to engage directly with policymakers in Germany and Belgium, including EU and NATO representatives. It also aims to help cultivate commercial opportunities and build relationships with other DefTech companies and stakeholders. This delegation costs £500 for members and £750 for non-members to attend. You can find out more and sign up on our website.
techUK is offering the chance for members and select non-members to join a techUK delegation to Tokyo, Japan for the CEATEC tech conference as well as meetings with the Japanese Government and Japanese tech companies between 13th - 16th October 2026. While CEATEC is a free conference, techUK delegates will secure exclusive access to the first day (13th October), which is invite-only, and will include a reception with VIPs, government dignitaries, ambassadors, and exhibitor executives. Find out more and sign up here.
techUK, in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and Tradefair, is offering UK tech companies an exclusive opportunity to exhibit on the UK Pavilion at GITEX GLOBAL 2026 - the world's most prominent technology event - taking place in Dubai from 7–11 December. Securing a place on the Pavilion means joining techUK's delegation to GITEX Global, giving your company a prime platform to build commercial connections, understand regional market dynamics, and raise their profile in one of the world's fastest-growing digital economies. Find out more and express your interest here.
techUK invites members to join our December visit to Strasbourg. This delegation is an opportunity to engage directly with Members of the European Parliament and other key stakeholders shaping the EU's approach to technology and defence policy. Against the backdrop of the evolving UK-EU relationship, the agenda will offer strategic insight into the regulatory and political environment for tech and defence firms operating in the EU, and direct dialogue with MEPs on sector priorities and opportunities. Find out more & sign up here.
External events, opportunities, and trade missions
A 16-member Nepali technology delegation will visit London from 6-13 September 2026 to strengthen collaboration between the UK and Nepal's innovation and technology ecosystems, aiming to foster business partnerships, explore investment opportunities, facilitate knowledge exchange, and deepen engagement with the Nepali diaspora in the UK. The delegation is led by the Nepal Association for Software and IT Services Companies (NAS-IT), the national industry association representing Nepal's software and IT services sector, and is supported by the British Embassy Kathmandu through the FCDO-funded Nepal in Business (NiB) Programme and DBIST Nepal. It comprises leading Nepali tech companies spanning Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Digital Transformation, SaaS, FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech and GovTech. As part of the week-long programme, the Nepal Tech Roadshow 2026 will take place on Wednesday 9 September at 5:00pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel London Heathrow, 140 Bath Road, Hayes UB3 5AW. Members interested in attending are kindly requested to register here.
Join Squire Patton Boggs for a breakfast briefing on China's compliance landscape and the EU balancing act, aimed at businesses with Chinese suppliers, customers, or partners. Led by experts on international trade from both a Chinese and an EU perspective, it will cover China's blacklists and export controls, using Chinese courts against foreign sanctions, national security reviews, overcompliance risks, and balancing EU and Chinese rules. To sign up, click here.
Join the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation & officials from across government for our interactive workshop designed to help you navigate the complex trade sanctions landscape. The workshop will aim to help you understand sanctions responsibilities through clear, practical guidance on compliance, how to avoid accidental breaches and will help shape future support for businesses by sharing feedback on the support you need to manage sanctions effectively. Find out more and sign up here.
Wave by Vento returns to Turin from 7 - 9 October, bringing together founders, investors and corporates from across Europe. While the full agenda goes live in September, the macro-themes are confirmed: day one covers technology and culture alongside the state of the Italian tech ecosystem; day two moves from AI to physical AI, with a read on the wider European ecosystem; and day three looks at intelligence as a resource and the future of tech. techUK members can claim 15% off passes with the code TECHUK-WAVE15, which stacks on top of Wave's group rates (10% for 5+, 15% for 10+, 20% for 20+ passes). Early Bird pricing starts at €173+VAT for a startup pass, rising to €375 general, €525 investor and €675 VIP.
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is organising a trade delegation to India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, 7-10 October. IMC is Asia's leading telecoms forum, bringing together industry, government, and academia. Participants get invitation-only access to IMC 2026, direct meetings with senior Indian telco and corporate stakeholders, increased visibility with Indian multinationals, and networking with bodies like NASSCOM and Invest India, plus access to major players such as Infosys. BIST will offer dedicated support from UK trade teams in India, prioritising ACT and Cyber sector companies interested in or already active in the Indian market. A separate Innovate UK-led GBIP visit runs the week before. To register, please click here.
The German British Business Summit 2026 brings together senior decision-makers, policymakers and business leaders to discuss the future of UK-German trade, investment and cooperation. Through practical insights, high-level networking and focused discussion, the summit will explore how companies can navigate economic change, strengthen cross-border partnerships and identify new opportunities for growth. Find out more and register here.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is delighted to announce a Digital, Immersive & Retail tech mission to New York City for the NRF Big Show 2027. UK retail, digital commerce, immersive tech businesses will have the opportunity to join DBT’s trade mission to New York City, from 9th to 12th January 2027 and showcase on the UK Pavilion at NRF’s Big Show. This mission is aimed at supporting UK companies in the retail tech space looking for growth opportunities to the USA selling to stockists and suppliers in the retail ecosystem (including but not limited to solution innovators, AI startups, digital and immersive tech providers). Find out more & register here.
Updates and News from techUK Members & Stakeholders
The ANRF is a £9.5 billion initiative from the Indian government to strengthen research, innovation, industry engagement and translational impact across academia, industry and government. The ANRF provides match funding for companies doing research in India.
Mexico has now ratified the UK’s accession to CPTPP meaning the UK will be able to access CPTPP provisions with Mexico from 22 June 2026. Mexico is the UK’s second largest trading partner in Latin America, with significant opportunities for UK businesses. CPTPP builds on the UK–Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement by improving market access through reduced tariffs and greater services market access, while offering greater certainty through clear and modern digital trading rules, helping UK businesses operate and expand in the Mexican market with confidence. To support businesses in making the most of these new CPTPP opportunities, the Department for Business and Trade have published a range of guides on the Mexico market page.
Research shows that 73% of businesses are optimistic about growing internationally over the next 3 years, but they often face challenges, including difficulty finding verified local partners and a lack of clarity around local regulations.
Navigator Global is a platform by Santander UK that gives you all the insight, tools and connections you need to simplify global trade, cut costs, and scale confidently. Whether you’re exploring your first international market or planning to scale globally, you can:
Find your market - Get the insight you need to spot real market opportunities.
Plan what’s next - Build step-by-step Action Plans to guide you through global market entry
Connect to expert support - Expand faster with a network of verified experts and market opportunities. (Premium membership only)
The Tallinn Mechanism has launched the TM Platform, a new portal providing information on cyber delivery opportunities and collaboration in support of Ukraine’s civilian cyber resilience. Cyber companies can register to access tenders and partnership opportunities, with a dedicated webinar available for the UK sector to outline how to engage. Find out more here.
While Japan was at the forefront of quantum computing in the late 1990s, it has fallen behind in recent years and the Japanese government is now investing heavily to catch up. This is creating significant opportunities for UK firms specialising in quantum computing hardware, software and services to work with Japanese companies to bridge the gap between where quantum computing is today and real-world commercial applications. This report details these opportunities, recommends market entry strategies and covers different viable business models, all illustrated by high-value case studies and testimonials from in-market players. Click here to read the report.
Understanding how to manage your local talent is a crucial part of setting up shop in a new country and securing mid-to-long-term growth. In Asia, even experienced team builders often run into unexpected issues. Intralink invited experts in talent attraction and executive search from across Asia to advise you - talking Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Watch the skills workshop here.
Horizon Europe is the world’s largest research and innovation programme running from 2021 until 2027, providing over £80 billion in funding to address some of the greatest global challenges. It supports groundbreaking ideas across various fields, from curing diseases to safeguarding cultural heritage. Horizon Europe offers a unique chance for cross-border collaboration, expanding the UK’s research connections, access to funding, networks, and global talent. Check out the hub here.
techUK member Hawksford are pleased to announce the launch of their new eBook, ‘Doing business in the UK’. This publication provides an overview of what you need to know when considering doing business in the UK, including the fundamentals of investing, from setting up a company in particular jurisdictions to successfully running a business. Click here to read.
If you would like to put events, opportunities, or updates in this newsletter insight, and you are a techUK member or stakeholder, please reach out to [email protected].
Tess Newton
Junior Policy Manager, techUK
Tess Newton
Junior Policy Manager, techUK
Tess is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK. She joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supported areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the 2024 Local and General Election, and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation on defence and international secuirty. She has worked for multiple charities, on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In 2023, Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
techUK International Policy and Trade Programme activities
techUK supports members with their international trade plans and aspirations. We help members to understand market opportunities, tackle market access barriers, and build partnerships in their target market. Visit the programme page here.
techUK Cyber Resilience Delegation to Brussels 2026
Join us from 8 – 9 September in Brussels to deepen your understanding of the EU cyber policy landscape, connect with key European decision-makers, and shape your organisation's strategy for engaging with EU institutions on cyber resilience.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Sabina Ciofu is International Policy and Strategy Lead at techUK, where she heads the International Policy and Trade Programme. Based in Brussels, she shapes global tech policy, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation across the EU, US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf region. She drives strategy, advocacy, and market opportunities for UK tech companies worldwide, ensuring their voice is heard in international policy debates.
With nearly a decade of previous experience as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament, Sabina brings deep expertise in tech regulation, trade policy, and EU–US relations. Her work focuses on navigating and influencing the global digital economy to deliver real impact for members.
A passionate community-builder, Sabina co-founded Young Professionals in Digital Policy (800+ members) and now runs Old Professionals in Digital Policy (more experience, better wine, earlier nights). She is also the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club, a network of 500+ women supporting each other with kindness.
She holds advisory roles with the UCL European Institute, Café Transatlantique (a network of women in transatlantic tech policy), and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club for women.
Recognised by ComputerWeekly as one of the most influential women in UK tech, Sabina is also a sought-after public speaker on tech, trade and diversity.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.
Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.
Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.
Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team in February 2023.
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
