The Mayor’s International Business Programme (MIBP) is now in its sixth year and is widely recognised for delivering a high-quality export programme. Launched by London & Partners in 2016 it has supported some of the fastest growing tech companies from the Capital which are now recognised brands in their fields.

To be eligible for the programme businesses must be London-based and looking to expand internationally; they should employ between 10 and 249 workers and be generating revenues of at least £1m per annum, or the equivalent in funding (or a combination of both) as well as demonstrate steady growth with active projects, domestically or internationally.

The free 12-month programme is individually tailored towards each business, providing support and advice for international expansion success. It offers practical advice and on-the-ground support, both in London and in global markets.

From the first Covid-19 lockdown MIBP switched to delivering online workshops to remain engaged and relevant to business needs and challenges. The programme involved 100+ individual events involving partners, mentors and wider stakeholders. Since March 2020 there have been 16 virtual trade missions across all major markets and sectors. These were designed to support businesses in engaging with global corporates seeking tech solutions, investors and advisors and included two new initiatives – MIBP China and MIBP India – launched in June 2021. Both initiatives will provide online support for 12 months to companies committed to these markets as the likelihood of physically visiting these markets soon remains slim.

MIBP has also built links in 2021 with the Manchester Global Scale-up Programme following discussions at the 2020 Annual ScaleUp Review launch. It delivered a virtual trade mission in partnership with the Manchester Growth Company to support 15 London and Manchester-based diverse Founders with their expansion into North America. Called R.E.A.C.H (Race, Ethnic and Cultural Heritage), it focused on helping the Founders better understand the market, engage with corporates, investors and start-up founders.

Mayor of London’s International Business Programme [2021] website