New Initiative to Propel UK Scale-Ups
A new pilot programme, Scale UK Connect, is set to provide invaluable assistance to 200 ambitious high-growth firms across the UK. This initiative aims to connect these businesses with expert advice, essential connections, and international opportunities to facilitate their growth. Applications are currently open for companies from various regions including London, Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, the South West, Yorkshire, Scotland, and beyond, ensuring that home-grown enterprises receive the necessary support to attract international investment and expand their customer base. The overarching goal is to generate quality jobs and stimulate economic growth within communities throughout the UK.
With Britain being one of the most favourable environments for launching a business—evidenced by UK tech start-ups having raised $17 billion in the first half of 2026, surpassing the combined totals of France, Germany, and Sweden—this initiative seeks to address the stagnation that many promising firms encounter as they attempt to scale. Often, lack of guidance, capital, or connections can impede their progress. Scale UK Connect aims to tackle these challenges head-on by providing tailored account management and advice for these 200 scale-ups.
Comprehensive Support for Growth
The Scale UK Connect pilot offers a comprehensive 12-month support programme designed to foster a new generation of high-growth companies. It aims to emulate the success of notable UK firms such as Quantexa and Synthesia, thereby benefitting the wider public and bolstering the economy. UK Science Minister Chris McDonald has highlighted the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial talent, stating that those who take the risk to establish businesses should feel supported in their ambitions.
McDonald emphasised that the initiative will provide essential guidance, investor connections, and global opportunities to help these companies thrive at home. This announcement coincides with a broader package of support for entrepreneurs, unveiled in Chancellor John Healey’s recent Budget, which includes reinforcing the UK’s leading tax framework for founders and enhancing procurement processes to support domestic industry and innovation.
The measures introduced in this package aim to alleviate practical obstacles faced by founders and high-growth firms, such as customer acquisition, capital access, attracting top talent, and navigating government processes. Collectively, these initiatives strive to fulfil the Chancellor’s vision of making the UK the premier destination for business establishment, growth, and sustainability.
Collaboration Across the UK
Scale UK Connect will be spearheaded by the growth agency London & Partners in collaboration with various regional partners from Manchester, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, the South West, and Scotland. This strategic partnership ensures that businesses from all corners of the UK can benefit, with a strong focus on fostering connections among scale-ups, investors, and corporations both domestically and internationally.
The initiative builds upon a proven methodology, as exemplified by the success of Intelligent Lab on Fiber (iLoF), a digital health company that leverages AI to personalise patient diagnosis. iLoF participated in a trade mission to Japan through the Grow London Global programme, which allowed them to gain insights into a key market and ultimately secure a partnership with a Japanese investor.
Positive Reception from Ambitious Businesses
The pilot has already garnered enthusiasm from a range of innovative companies. Among them are Glasgow’s Raven Controls, which develops software for rapid response to safety incidents at major venues; Newcastle’s GeoPura, dedicated to replacing polluting generators with portable hydrogen power; and Birmingham’s CyberQ Group, renowned for providing comprehensive cyber threat protection.
Applications for the Scale UK Connect programme will be accepted until January 2027, with the inaugural cohort set to launch in February 2027. Following this, participants will receive tailored support over the course of a year. High-growth businesses interested in learning more about this initiative and applying can visit the Scale Up Connect website.
Details of the National Pilot
Scale UK Connect is an 18-month national pilot programme valued at £3.4 million, orchestrated by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade in partnership with London & Partners and regional delivery partners aligned with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, including the Manchester Growth Company and the West Midlands Growth Company. Other partners such as TechSPARK in the South West, Tech SY in Yorkshire, and Pathways Forward in Scotland play crucial roles in ensuring comprehensive coverage across the UK.
The recruitment process for this pilot will continue until January 2027, with the cohort set to launch in February 2027. Participants will benefit from 12 months of specialised support, with a final report expected by April 2028. Notably, the Grow London Global programme supported 265 scale-up businesses to export internationally in 2025-26, which resulted in a significant economic contribution and job creation. With an 85% success rate in revenue growth among its graduates, the programme has already demonstrated its effectiveness in propelling businesses towards international success.
For further details on new support for founders and innovative businesses, additional information is available in the Entrepreneurship in the UK prospectus on the official government website.