London Landing Pad officially launched! Australian startups now have extra support to expand to the UK
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) has today launched its London Landing Pad, a selective 6-week virtual business program, coaching Australian tech businesses to successfully export to the UK.
The free program focuses on building your go-to-market strategy, from understanding the business and opportunity landscape, identifying and securing your first customers, sales and marketing to help you scale and pitching to local VCs.
UK market experts across fundraising, regulation, sales and marketing will run live sessions with Q&A to help founders navigate the UK’s lucrative US$1.1 trillion tech market.
Each business will also get two hours of individual mentoring support from our Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Founders can express interest for the next program starting on 28 July here.
‘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.’
Unlock the world’s third largest VC market
In Q1 2024, the UK tech sector reached a combined market valuation of US$1.1 trillion - making it the largest tech ecosystem in Europe and third largest VC market globally.
Much of the UK tech’s growth has been fuelled by the startup and scaleup ecosystem. In 2023, UK startups raised US$21.3 billion in VC investment, the third highest total on record. The UK has produced 171 unicorns, with 144 in the last 10 years, and 63 in the past three years.
The UK is at the centre of global innovation in frontier technologies like climate tech, fintech, healthcare and mobility, attracted by the UK Government’s ongoing focus on AI safety and regulation, net zero targets and investment into the National Healthcare Service (NHS).
World-leading tech firms like Google, Cisco and Samsung have major innovation and R&D centres in London, providing a gateway to growth in Europe and the US.
However, there is much more to the UK than London. The UK Government has strongly invested in building regional growth hubs, such as Birmingham Knowledge Quarter Core, Leeds Digital and Scotland’s Silicon Glen.
Australia-UK trade is booming
More Australian businesses are exporting to the UK than ever, 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.’
Canva, PEXA and Beamtree are some of the largest Australian tech firms rapidly growing their UK footprint.
Since the A-UKFTA entered into force in May 2023, Australian Foreign Direct Investment into the UK has increased by 7.3% annually ($210 billion).
How Austrade helps businesses go global
Austrade is the Australian Government’s trade and investment promotion agency. Across over 65 global offices, our market experts help Australian businesses understand and access international growth opportunities.
Our Landing Pad Program is one way we support Australian businesses to assess their market potential, develop export strategies and find valuable contacts overseas. Learn all the ways we can support your business’s global growth here.
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMISSION
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) helps grow Australia’s prosperity by delivering quality trade and investment services to businesses, accelerates growth in Australia’s tourism sector and promotes Australia’s education to the world.
