UK businesses exporting goods and services can access grant support for market entry, trade shows, overseas marketing, and export finance guarantees. This guide covers the main programmes from DBT and UK Export Finance.
Exporting opens up markets several times larger than the UK, but the costs and risks of going international are real - market research, translation, compliance, trade shows, and the cash flow strain of longer payment cycles. The UK government funds several programmes specifically designed to reduce those barriers, though the landscape has changed significantly since the post-Brexit consolidation of trade support under the Department for Business and Trade.
UK Export Finance is the UK's export credit agency - one of the largest in the world. It doesn't primarily provide grants but offers financial guarantees, insurance, and loans that make it possible to export when commercial finance isn't available. For SMEs, the most relevant products are the Export Working Capital Scheme (guaranteeing bank facilities to fund export contracts), the Bond Support Scheme (guaranteeing contract bonds), and the General Export Facility (supporting businesses with multiple export contracts). UKEF's involvement de-risks exporting for both the business and its bank, often unlocking finance that wouldn't otherwise be available.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) provides support for UK businesses entering new markets, primarily through its international trade advisers and targeted trade events. The Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) historically provided grants toward the cost of attending overseas trade shows - check with DBT for current availability, as programmes evolve. DBT's Export Academy provides training and market intelligence for businesses preparing to export. International trade advisers in every region offer free one-to-one support and can direct businesses to current funded opportunities.
Several Innovate UK programmes specifically support internationalisation of innovative products and services. The Global Incubator Programme and various bilateral innovation partnerships (with the US, Canada, Israel, and others) fund collaborative projects between UK and overseas companies. These sit at the intersection of innovation grants and export development - worth exploring if you're developing technology with international market potential.
Several UK sectors have dedicated export support. The creative industries benefit from British Council and Arts Council international touring programmes. Defence exporters work with the MOD's Defence and Security Exports team. Education exporters have Education UK. Healthcare exporters have the Global Health sector unit within DBT. If your sector has a specific UK government trade body, it's worth making contact - the support available often isn't well publicised.
Grantscom searches thousands of live grants and tenders every day and scores them against your business profile.
Start free →