techUK’s Market Access Brief: International Opportunities for tech companies
See upcoming events, opportunities, news, and updates from techUK's International Trade Programme…
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.
Thank you to everyone that sent in their Campaign Week submissions. If you missed it, our Campaign Week titled Shifting Currents: Tech Trade & Security, took place on the 7-11 July. You can read about it here.
In recent months we have made changes to the way we send emails. Please sign up to our mailing lists for India (here), Japan (here), China (here), APAC (here) to make sure you are still receiving emails for areas of focus that you are interested in.
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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].
Join techUK and Innovate UK UKRI as we explore what Horizon Europe is and how UK organisations can take part in its 2026/27 Work Programme. Horizon Europe is the current EU €95 billion research and innovation Framework Programme for 2021 to 2027. The Programme funds scientific excellence, research and development in all areas of research and innovation, as well as key sectors and technologies, supporting international collaborations to address global challenges in areas such as net zero, energy, health, agriculture, digital technologies, space and transport. Horizon Europe is an opportunity open to all types of organisations.
techUK invites members to join our first-ever delegation to Ukraine (Lviv), taking place between Thursday 25 September and Tuesday 30 September. The delegation will centre around IT Arena Conference, which takes place in Lviv, Western Ukraine, from the 26-28 September. Join to be part of meetings with senior Ukrainian Government stakeholders at the Ministerial level, as well as meetings with organisations such as Brave1, IT Lviv Cluster, IT Ukraine, the Ukrainian Start-Up Fund, and more. Find out more here.
techUK is pleased to announce the members-only first-ever trade and policy delegation to Ottawa, Canada from 27 to 30 October 2025, offering members a valuable opportunity to engage directly with the Canadian Government, explore commercial opportunities, and build relationships with Canadian companies and stakeholders. Find out more here.
techUK are organising a member-only business and innovation-focused delegation to the Gulf from 13–16 October, with a packed agenda spanning Dubai and Riyadh. This is an opportunity to explore two of the region’s most dynamic markets, connect with leading industry figures, and learn about commercial opportunities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Find out more here.
Join us from 29–30 October in Brussels to strengthen your understanding of the EU Defence market opportunities, connect with key decision-makers, and inform your company’s UK-EU strategy. techUK invites members to join our 2025 delegation to Brussels, an opportunity to connect directly with the EU policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders who are shaping the trade bloc’s approach to Defence technology. Find out more and sign up here.
External events, opportunities, and trade missions
The UK-Ukraine TechBridge are organising a UK Regional Roadshow in November 2025 to help Ukrainian and UK businesses explore business partnerships, products, services, and market opportunities, beyond London. The roadshow will include networking, matchmaking events and guest speakers. Please fill out this survey to express your interest and specify the sectors and opportunities you are interested in. If you wish to discuss this initiative, reach out to them here: [email protected]
HowTheLightGetsIn returns to London on the 20th and 21st September! Each year, the festival brings together some of the world's most brilliant minds to rethink the greatest challenges of our time in search for a new vision for the future. Set on the beautiful grounds of Kenwood House, there is no better place to hear thought-provoking conversations with party leaders, Nobel Prize winners, pioneering philosophers, and renowned scientists as they puzzle over questions of AI, the climate, geopolitics and the biggest and smallest scientific questions. Awaken your curiosity and dive deeper into the world around you during a weekend dedicated to exploring ideas and celebrating art, science, technology, and politics. techUK members can receive a special 10% discount code by using the code TECHUK10.
The UK-ASEAN AI Innovation Summit is a strategic platform for advancing shared priorities between the UK and ASEAN Member States. It builds upon previous engagements such as the UK-MY AI Conference 2023, UK AI Week in Thailand, and the AI for Sustainable Development in ASEAN (AISDA). The Summit is also aligned with the forthcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan (2024). There will be keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops for the Summit covering the following themes: Sustainable and secure AI infrastructure and cross-border compute access, Trusted data-sharing partnerships to support inclusive innovation, AI talent development and skills exchange, including pathways for women and non-traditional learners, Pro-innovation regulation and responsible AI governance, Public sector adoption and business innovation partnerships. If you would like to attend, please email [email protected]
The King’s Awards are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in UK enterprise. The Awards are free to enter, and businesses can apply to more than one category. There are four categories: Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development, and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility). Applications close at 1pm on Tuesday 9 September 2025. Find out more and enter here.
Innovate UK invites ambitious companies in the Semiconductors sector to participate in a Global Business Innovation Programme in Japan. The programme aims to help ambitious, innovative UK businesses to grow and scale globally, through building collaborative R&D and innovation partnerships. The 9-12 months programme consists of a ‘Get Ready’ preparation phase, a five-day tailored ‘Innovation Visit to Japan’ to connect with key stakeholders and potential partners, and an ‘Exploit the Opportunity’ stage to help you maximise the benefits of the programme. This opportunity is fully funded, and registration closes on 12 September 2025. Find out more and apply here.
Innovate UK is inviting ambitious innovative companies to participate in its Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP). Each GBIP aims to help UK businesses grow and scale on a global stage through building R&D and innovation collaborations and partnerships and accelerating access to the market. The programme consists of a Get ready preparation phase followed by a market visit to Japan, to include a 5-day tailored programme to connect with businesses, research organisations, and other key stakeholders, followed by an Exploit the opportunity workshop. Registration closes on 26 September 2025. Find out more and apply here.
Made in the UK, Sold to the World Roadshows are touring six UK regions in 2025: Northern England, Midlands, Wales, Southern England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Each roadshow event will be spotlighting a different sector. Open to all industries, these dynamic events are designed to boost your confidence in global trade and fast-track your export growth. Whether you're new to international markets or scaling up your global presence, if you have an export-ready product or service, these roadshows offer direct access to buyers, sector experts, and overseas market specialists. Each event features a flexible programme of seminars, commercial zones, and business support led by senior representatives from the Department for Business and Trade. Register your interest here today.
COMEX – Global Technology Show showcases the trends & breakthrough technologies that impact the way people live, communicate, work & network in the 21st century. For 33 years COMEX, has been serving as a sourcing and networking hub for Oman technology market and continues to be one of the Gulf’s leading platforms for ICT procurement, new product launches and technology demonstrations. Join top ICT elites, innovators and entrepreneurs from the world in showcasing the most advanced and innovative ICT products, attracting more than 5,000 local and international trade visitors from Government and private sectors. Sign up here.
We invite international companies to apply for the UK Gateway: Pre GTM Accelerator, a virtual program designed to help growth-stage startups expand into the UK market. The Accelerator focuses on Smart Cities, Climate & Sustainability Tech, as well as Generative & Agentic AI and includes over 20 plus expert sessions hosted by London & Partners, KPMG, PwC, Lenovo, Intel, Govt investment and more. The program will provide you will access to UK market insights, mentors, partners and prospects alongside insights to help shape and refine UK-GTM strategy, and tailored support to fast-track your UK entry. Find out more and apply here.
Whether you're a seasoned cybersecurity supplier or a newcomer navigating the digital maze, International Cyber Expo is your gateway to the latest security innovations, expert insights, and powerful business connections. Bursting with innovation, this two-day event offers immersive workshops, live demonstrations, and free content designed to keep you ahead of cyber threats. From hands-on experiences to expert-led discussions, International Cyber Expo is where the future of cybersecurity takes shape. Find out more and sign up here.
UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE), in association with the British High Commission in Singapore invites you to join a trade mission to introduce you to Singapore’s cyber ecosystem and identify potential commercial opportunities. The mission is organised to align with Singapore International Cyber Week and a British High Commission Flagship Cyber Event combining regional industry, academia and government. You will have the opportunity to connect with cyber security stakeholders around the region and promote your company. Sign up here.
Are you a Cyber Company with your sights set on the Middle East? The Arab International Cybersecurity Conference & Exhibition- AICS, taking place between 5 – 6 November is the gateway to the Middle East. Join to hear from a range of speakers who will be discussing the opportunities, benefits and participation in the UK Pavilion at this year's AICS. Sign up to the webinar here.
The British High Commission in Pretoria and the Department for Business & Trade present an opportunity for representatives of UK cybersecurity companies to join a trade mission to South Africa. This is a valuable opportunity to forge connections through facilitated introductions, access new business and clients, and realise export opportunities. They are seeking expressions of interest by 24 August. Please sign up here.
Join the flagship UK–India AIxcelerate 2025–26 programme, a bilateral programme supported by the UK–India Centre for AI under the Technology Security Initiative across six critical sectors: Health, Engineering Biology, Climate, Energy, AgriTech, and FinTech. The programme will bring together leading innovators, researchers, startups, policy professionals, and governance experts from the UK and India to co-create responsible, inclusive, and high-impact AI solutions.
The initiative is designed as a three-stage journey:
The UK-Ukraine Tech Bridge Investment Accelerator is a hybrid program that prepares Ukrainian startups for expansion into the UK market. It aims to equip the cohort with in-depth knowledge of the UK’s investment landscape, refined fundraising strategies, and expertise from influential UK-based VC funds with a focus on securing investment deals.
Intralink’s Government-backed UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme provides support for UK firms to expand in 11 APAC markets: Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. Intralink’s teams on the ground in APAC can identify participants’ business opportunities, provide market entry advice and help companies sell their products, forge partnerships and raise investment. They include skills workshops; in-market visits and trade missions; opportunities to pitch to APAC corporates looking to adopt and invest in UK tech; and 10-week ‘business development initiatives. Find out more and apply to participate in the programme here.
Updates and News from techUK Members & Stakeholders
Santander’s Trade Barometer is a twice-yearly survey of over 1,000 UK businesses with a minimum £1m turnover. Amid the rapidly evolving global trade landscape, the Barometer offers valuable, timely data to help government advise businesses wanting to trade internationally, as it covers business sentiment towards international trade and identifies regional and sectoral differences. Read the full results of the survey here.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Lviv IT Cluster, present CodeUA, a national tech marketplace, enabling international businesses to connect, collaborate and partner with verified Ukrainian tech companies, strengthening global networks and fostering growth across borders, without financial risk. With over 2100 verified IT-companies, around 2000 startups and over 300,000 skilled professionals, the Ukrainian tech sector is a vital driver for the European tech market. Find out more here.
On 15 December 2024, the UK officially became a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), marking a significant achievement as the first non-founding and first European county to join. techUK’s insight outlines the benefits and opportunities this membership provides for UK businesses seeking to strengthen their presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, the UK Government released guidance documents to help businesses navigate the agreement’s provisions. Read more 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.
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] or [email protected]
Daniel Clarke
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
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 Report - Enabling Growth and Resilience: the UK Tech Sector in an Uncertain World
New techUK report outlines key policy recommendations to boost the UK’s growth through the tech sector amid global challenges, emphasising resilience, trade leadership, and strategic investment.
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 Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Daniel Clarke
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
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.
Lewis' programmes cover a range of policy areas within Market Access (international trade regulation, sanctions and export controls, technical standards and product compliance, supply chains) and Consumer Tech (media and broadcast policy, consumer electronics, and connected home technology).
Prior to joining techUK, Lewis worked in government affairs and policy roles for international trade associations in Southeast Asia including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Public Policy & Management from SOAS University of London.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports 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.
Policy Manager - International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
Join us to hear The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, this year’s keynote speaker at Building the Smarter State Conference!
