Austrade’s new 6-week virtual program provides expert coaching and mentoring for UK market entry
Australian startups now have unprecedented support to crack one of the world’s most lucrative tech markets, with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) officially launching its London Landing Pad program.
The selective 6-week virtual business program offers free coaching to Australian tech businesses looking to successfully export to the UK, targeting what has become the world’s third-largest venture capital market worth US$1.1 trillion.
Australian tech founders can express interest in the next program starting on 28 July. EOIs close on 17 July.
Comprehensive market entry support
The program addresses the complex challenges of international expansion with a structured approach covering all aspects of UK market entry. The free program focuses on building go-to-market strategies, from understanding the business and opportunity landscape to identifying and securing first customers, sales and marketing for scaling, and pitching to local venture capitalists.
UK market experts across fundraising, regulation, sales and marketing will run live sessions with Q&A opportunities to help founders navigate the competitive landscape. Each participating business will also receive two hours of individual mentoring support from Austrade’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence. “The UK is the largest tech market in Europe – so it’s hugely competitive and fast paced,” shares Lucy Cassidy, Austrade’s London Landing Pad Manager. “We’re going to support each business to really hone in on their USP and what will set them apart here. Plus it’s expensive to get it wrong, so we’ll be working with you to avoid those pitfalls and tighten up your market entry plan.”
The next program begins on July 28, with founders able to express interest through Austrade’s application process.
Accessing Europe’s largest tech ecosystem
The timing couldn’t be better for Australian startups eyeing international expansion. In Q1 2024, the UK tech sector reached a combined market valuation of US$1.1 trillion, cementing its position as the largest tech ecosystem in Europe and the third-largest VC market globally. The numbers tell a compelling story of opportunity. In 2023, UK startups raised US$21.3 billion in VC investment, marking the third-highest total on record. The ecosystem’s maturity is evident in its track record: the UK has produced 171 unicorns, with 144 emerging in the last decade alone and 63 in just the past three years.
Much of the UK tech sector’s explosive growth has been fueled by its robust startup and scaleup ecosystem. The country sits at the center of global innovation in frontier technologies including climate tech, fintech, healthcare and mobility, attracted by the UK Government’s ongoing focus on AI safety and regulation, net zero targets, and significant investment in the National Healthcare Service (NHS). The presence of world-leading tech firms like Google, Cisco and Samsung, all maintaining major innovation and R&D centers in London, provides startups with a strategic gateway to growth across Europe and into the US market.
While London remains the primary draw, the program recognizes that UK opportunities extend far beyond the capital. The UK Government has made substantial investments in building regional growth hubs, including Birmingham Knowledge Quarter Core, Leeds Digital, and Scotland’s Silicon Glen, creating a distributed network of innovation centers across the country. This geographic diversity offers Australian startups multiple entry points and potential markets within the broader UK ecosystem, each with its own specializations and advantages.
Trade agreement advantages
Australian businesses are already capitalizing on improved UK market access, with more companies exporting to the UK than ever before. This growth has been significantly supported by increased talent mobility, aligned data regulation, and mutual recognition of qualifications under the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA). “Free flow of data and strong Intellectual property protection under the A-UKFTA have been key benefits for Australian tech firms expanding to the UK,” shares Annika Barton, Australian Trade and Investment Commissioner to the UK & Ireland. “It’s never been easier to access new UK customers and work with UK firms.”
The trade agreement’s impact is already measurable. Since the A-UKFTA entered into force in May 2023, Australian Foreign Direct Investment into the UK has increased by 7.3% annually, reaching $210 billion. Several major Australian tech companies are already demonstrating the potential of UK expansion. Canva, PEXA, and Beamtree represent some of the largest Australian tech firms rapidly growing their UK footprint, providing proof of concept for the market opportunity available to smaller startups. These success stories serve as both inspiration and validation for the London Landing Pad program’s approach, showing that with the right strategy and support, Australian tech companies can successfully establish themselves in the competitive UK market.
The London Landing Pad represents just one component of Austrade’s comprehensive international business support infrastructure. As the Australian Government’s trade and investment promotion agency, Austrade operates across more than 65 global offices, with market experts helping Australian businesses understand and access international growth opportunities. The Landing Pad Program specifically supports Australian businesses in assessing their market potential, developing export strategies, and finding valuable contacts overseas. This systematic approach addresses the common challenges that prevent many promising startups from successfully expanding internationally.
Strategic timing for global expansion
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Australian startups considering international expansion. With local markets showing signs of maturation and global digital adoption accelerating, the UK presents an attractive combination of market size, regulatory familiarity, and cultural alignment that makes it an ideal first international market for many Australian tech companies.
The program’s virtual format also removes traditional barriers to international market exploration, allowing startups to test and develop their UK strategy without the significant upfront investment typically required for international expansion. For Australian startups ready to take the next step in their growth journey, the London Landing Pad program represents a unique opportunity to access expert guidance, avoid costly mistakes, and build the foundations for successful UK market entry – all without the typical financial barriers that often prevent promising companies from exploring international opportunities.
The program’s selective nature ensures participants receive focused attention and resources, while the combination of group learning and individual mentoring provides both peer networking opportunities and personalized strategic guidance tailored to each company’s specific challenges and opportunities in the UK market.
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