London & Partners, the business agency for the UK capital, has announced the launch of the Grow Global programme in two new regions outside of London – the West Midlands and Scotland.
The year-long programme is designed to help scaleup businesses in these regions grow their international presence.
Companies joining from the West Midlands include Wolverhampton-based cybersecurity firm Goldilock and Birmingham-based electric motorcycle manufacturer Maeving.
Scottish-based companies joining the cohort include allergen tech firm Libereat and property management specialists Pillow Partners.
The Grow Global programme, previously called the Mayor’s International Business Programme, offers a range of dedicated services including international trade missions, workshops, events, and connections to key partners. These include government funding specialists GrantTree, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, professional services firm Oury Clark, global law firm Taylor Wessing, as well as US law firm Wilson Sonsini – enabling the cohort of companies to build their networks and access new growth opportunities.
The launch of the programme in the West Midlands and Scotland is a testament to its success and its impact on the growth of businesses in London. Grow London Global has already helped over 1,300 London-based companies to access new growth opportunities since 2016, creating over 5,000 jobs and completing international trade deals worth more than £6.5 billion.
Through partnerships with the West Midlands Growth Company and Scottish Enterprise, the latest programme aims to replicate the same level of success in the West Midlands and Scotland – helping to drive economic growth and create new jobs.
The Scottish and West Midlands-based companies will join 100 London-based scaleups, including cybersecurity firm Glasswall and air quality monitoring company Airly. This will allow them to learn from one another, access workshops, and participate in international trade missions together.
Janet Coyle CBE, managing director of Grow London at London & Partners, said: “We are expanding our efforts to support businesses in the UK, particularly in the West Midlands and Scotland, to help them reach their full potential in the global market.
“Our Grow Global programme is designed to provide scale-up businesses with the necessary resources, connections, and tools to succeed. By doing so, we hope to promote economic growth and job creation not only in London but also in other regions, in line with the UK government’s plan to transform the UK into a ‘scale-up powerhouse’.”
Councillor Stephen Simkins, portfolio lead for economy and innovation at West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The West Midlands has long been a hotbed for innovation, nurturing scale-ups with the potential to shape the global economy. Through this unique collaboration with London & Partners, our region’s high-growth tech firms now have an ideal springboard to success in international markets. As Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, it’s also fantastic to see local cybersecurity firm Goldilock securing a place on this prestigious programme.”
Kerry Sharp, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “By supporting these ambitious, scaling Scottish companies to participate in the newly expanded Grow Global programme, we’re helping them make important investor connections, access a peer network of around 100 fellow UK businesses and expand their customer base among London-based and in-market global firms.
“We want to enable Scottish businesses with strong growth prospects to reach their full potential and deliver maximum economic benefits by targeting overseas markets – building their resilience and creating high-value jobs in the process.”
The latest Grow Global cohort attended a launch event this week (pictured), bringing them all together for the first time.
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