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The Global Scale-up Programme
Access to Markets
Key sectors
The Global Scale-up Programme is a fully funded programme run by The Growth Company and delivered in partnership with the Department for International Trade, KPMG, DWF, Santander and Manchester Airport. Launched in 2019, the Global Scale-up Programme (GSU) guides Greater Manchester’s scaling businesses to expand internationally.
Through a four-stage process in cohorts of 10-15 participants, the programme begins through an onboarding process during which participants meet fellow cohort members and hear from the programme partners. Each business is allocated a dedicated account manager to guide them through the programme. This is followed by International Growth Sprints, delivered virtually over two half days in order to bring the business’ senior management together to fully develop their international ambitions. Quarterly bootcamps then give scaleups one-to-one support from market specialists within the partner network.
The final stage is the International Visits phase. Opportunities are curated overseas using GSU’s global networks and private sector partners. The GSU team works closely with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to establish strong connections overseas to create warm introductions to global ecosystems for each business coming through the programme.
To date, Global Scale-Up has supported 250 scaleups and supported the creation of 115 jobs. Participants have entered 80 new markets since joining the programme. The programme has been highlighted as One to Watch by the ScaleUp Institute for its role in breaking down barriers to accessing international markets for scaling businesses in the North West, building on learnings from the Grow London Global programme (previously the Mayor of London’s International Business Programme).
The ScaleUp Institute will continue to watch the progress and impact of the Global Scale-up Programme over the coming year with interest.
