Get support to move your business to the UK - the Global Entrepreneur Program

The UK government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP) helps high-growth overseas companies relocate to the UK.

If you are an entrepreneur or founder of an innovative technology business based overseas, you may be eligible for UK government support to help you move your business to the UK.

How the programme works

The Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP) offers mentoring and business support to non-UK based founders to help them set up and scale their business from a UK global headquarters.

Support is free and includes:

mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs
providing introductions to key networks including investors
guidance on how to grow internationally
continued help from DIT once located in the UK, especially around exporting

GEP participants are mentored by experienced entrepreneurs known as ‘dealmakers’, who are experienced in setting up, building, scaling and selling technology companies.

Once the founder and company have relocated to the UK, GEP continues to support them through its Alumni Academy Programme.

The programme provides support by helping companies:

build capability in key business areas
scale up and fulfil their export ambitions
make connections in the wider UK tech eco-system

How to qualify for GEP support

You must be:

an overseas-based entrepreneur and founder of an innovative technology business
willing to relocate and establish the company’s global headquarters in the UK

You must have:

a potentially groundbreaking product or service based on unique technology
a business plan outlining how the business can expand from a headquarters in the UK
a customer-validated product either already in the market or ready to launch
a clear commercial proposition that addresses a large global opportunity

Visa application endorsement

GEP can endorse your application for an innovator visa.

For your visa application to be endorsed you must:

be able to show you have been accepted onto the Global Entrepreneur Programme
provide evidence you meet the criteria of the innovator visa

Email GEPVisaQueries@trade.gov.uk for further information.

Companies the GEP has helped

Examples of companies the GEP has supported to relocate to the UK include:

digital marketplace for small and medium-sized enterprises finance CreditEnable from India
genetic and diagnostic health testing company DNAfit from South Africa
online investment management company Nutmeg from the United States
space system applications company Orbital Micro Systems from the United States
realtime feedback and data collection solutions company Pisano from Turkey
seat upgrade travel software/app company Seatfrog from Australia

Next steps

Find out more about the Global Entrepeneur Programme.