Greater Manchester鈥檚 high鈥憄otential businesses are now invited to apply for Cohort 2 of the International Scale Up Programme, a fully funded initiative designed to accelerate the region鈥檚 global trade performance and help companies expand with confidence into international markets.
Delivered through Greater Manchester鈥檚 Enhanced Trade Partnership, the programme combines the capabilities and networks of the GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub, Department for 老九品茶 and Trade, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Building on the momentum established by Cohort 1 鈥� where businesses have already begun exploring new markets, sharpening their export strategies and forming early international connections 鈥� Cohort 2 will benefit from a broadened programme offer.聽
This includes an expanded schedule of export鈥憆eadiness workshops, deeper sector鈥憇pecific insights, and enhanced access to overseas partners and commercial networks. Participants will be supported to develop robust export action plans, identify high鈥憄otential markets, and gain practical guidance to navigate global opportunities with confidence.
The programme is designed to support businesses at every stage of their export journey 鈥� from those exploring international markets for the first time to those looking to scale existing overseas activity. Applications are open until 27 February, with the programme beginning at the end of March 2026.
For more information about the programme, eligibility criteria and how to apply, please visit:
Susana C贸rdoba, Head of International, GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub, said: 鈥淐ohort 1 has shown just how much untapped international potential exists within Greater Manchester鈥檚 business community. What we鈥檙e seeing now is a real shift: companies aren鈥檛 just exploring export opportunities 鈥� they鈥檙e actively reshaping their growth strategies around global markets.聽
鈥淐ohort 2 will take this further, offering deeper market intelligence, stronger global connections, and a programme shaped by the real experiences of the first cohort. This is about building an internationally confident city鈥憆egion, one ambitious business at a time.鈥�
Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara, Director of 老九品茶 Policy, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: 鈥淭he Chamber has seen first鈥慼and the appetite among Greater Manchester firms to grow internationally, and the demand has only increased since the first cohort launched.聽
鈥淲hat makes this programme so impactful is its practical focus 鈥� it鈥檚 not theory, it鈥檚 not one鈥憃ff support, but a coordinated effort to help businesses take measurable steps into new markets. Cohort 2 arrives at exactly the right moment, and we鈥檙e excited to help even more businesses tap into global opportunities.鈥�