Grow London Global programme, previously the Mayor of London’s International Business Programme (MBIP), provides support to scaleups to expand their businesses internationally. Scaleups can access events and workshops, international trade missions and invaluable networking opportunities.

After its rebranding the programme has increased its capacity providing tailored support to help scaleups grow. London and Partner teams and 10 relationship managers are now located in London and 15 international cities in key locations across North America, Europe, China and India, working with the local ecosystem providing in-depth market knowledge. Additionally, participants now benefit from an expanded network of expert partners, providing tailored support across commercial, financial, HR, legal, taxation, and digital solutions. New partners include CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) for integrated financial services, Deel for global HR and payroll, and TwentyAI for talent solutions in high-growth sectors, complementing existing partners Oury Clark, Microsoft, Wilson Sonsini, and GrantTree.

Notable trade missions include their first-ever UK-NYC Venture Connect event, which gave scaleups the opportunity to pitch to top investors, including FTV Capital and Index Ventures, and gain insights into the US investment landscape through collaborations with CIBC, WSGR, and others. Through Grow London Global, 15 scaleups participated in a RetailTech trade mission to New York, engaging with 45+ stakeholders, including Tapestry, Michael Kors, Shiseido, and Walmart. Across 10 sessions and 140 pitches, they connected with key investors such as XRC Ventures, Headline, and Red Giraffe Advisors, as well as industry thought leaders like Oliver Chen, CFA, a leading retail analyst and Columbia Business School professor.

To date, Grow London Global has supported 315 companies, with 78 graduates collectively raising £130 million in finance, achieving 24% turnover growth, and contributing £163 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to London’s economy. The programme has delivered 15 global trade missions, enabling 45% of participants to enter new export markets and securing £270 million in international business wins. Among these, 51% of non-exporting companies began exporting by the end of the programme, while 85% of already exporting scaleups saw an increase in export revenue.

In the last year, for the first time, the programme has extended beyond London, collaborating with the West Midlands Growth Company, Scottish Enterprise and now Essex County Council, to support high-growth tech companies in these regions. The first regional roadshow from Birmingham and Glasgow brought together more than 50 UK scaleups, corporate innovators, and ecosystem leaders for non-stop networking, innovation, and discovery to help them thrive. 

Furthermore, a new no-cost service that helps scaleups find, hire, and nurture top talent in London was introduced, with an expert team leveraging a broad network of universities, training providers, and specialist recruiters to give companies a competitive edge in the city’s talent market. The programme also leverages data-driven strategies to support scaleups in international expansion, providing market insights through the newly launched Insights Exchange to help businesses identify opportunities and make informed decisions. Performance tracking measures growth and market penetration, while tailored support ensures companies receive personalized guidance and access to relevant opportunities. AI and advanced technologies further enhance the programme, delivering deeper insights and precise recommendations for global scaling.

Grow London Global (Formerly Mayor of London’s International Business Programme) website