Discover how to access co-investment funding from the Department for International Trade for SMEs who want to grow into new overseas markets

The Department for International Trade and European Regional Development Fund have launched a new Internationalisation Fund for eligible SMEs based in England.

What is the Internationalisation Fund?

Launched in December 2020, the Internationalisation Fund provides match-funded grants between £1,000 and £9,000 to use for future business activities (subject to eligibility and availability) aimed at helping SMEs grow in new international markets.

To secure a grant, you will need to fund a proportion of your costs yourself. This varies according to where your business is based and will be either 40% or 50% of the total cost.

SMEs based in England now have the opportunity to apply for the next round of funds, which is available until the end of September 2021 and can be used to support eligible expenditure areas.

Full details about eligible costs and co-funding will be explained at the event.

Why should you attend this virtual event?

At this free virtual event, our expert speakers will provide you with:

• An overview of the Internationalisation Fund and the eligibility criteria
• What you can use the fund for to grow your business overseas
• What you need to prepare for your funding application
• How to submit your application and key deadlines
• Examples of what the Internationalisation Fund can be used for including research & selection, website design and intellectual property (IP)
• How to prepare an effective Export Action Plan

Plus, a free 1-2-1 meeting with an International Trade Adviser who will help you agree your Export Action Plan (EAP) and complete your Internationalisation Fund application.

Who is this virtual event for?

This virtual event is for ambitious SMEs based in the South East of England who want to grow their sales in international markets.

To attend this subsidised event, your business should meet the following eligibility and suitability criteria:

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, businesses must:

• Be small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) according to the European SME definition
• Be based in the South East of England
• Be registered in the UK
• Have not received more than €200,000 in public funds over the last three fiscal years

Suitability criteria

To be suitable, businesses should:

• Have £500k+ in sales\turnover (desirable)
• Have international high growth potential
• Have a product or service suitable for export
• Commit to undertake activities co-funded by the Internationalisation Fund and claim back funds before the end of September 2021
• Commit to complete all activities and participate in all elements of this event as detailed below

How will the event work?

This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 from 10:00 – 12:30 (BST), followed by a 1-2-1 meeting with one of our International Trade Advisers in the afternoon (various meeting slots will be available).

These are the steps you are requested to commit to in order to secure your place:

1. Apply for the event and provide all data required to assess your business’s eligibility and suitability (see the criteria above)
2. If your event application is successful, complete an online Internationalisation Fund Trade Review form at least 48 hours prior to the event date (you will be sent the link via email)
3. Book a time for your free 1-2-1 meeting with an International Trade Adviser in the afternoon
4. Attend the virtual event
5. Attend your free 1-2-1 afternoon meeting with an International Trade Adviser and complete your Export Action Plan (EAP)

The Export Action Plan (EAP) will outline the international growth opportunities and challenges for your business and is a mandatory pre-requisite to apply for the Internationalisation Fund.

One of our International Trade Advisers will support your funding application. They will be able to answer your specific questions, guide you through the application process and help you build and agree an Export Action Plan.

Meet our speakers

	Danny Richman Richman SEO Training, Founder One of the UK’s leading search engine optimisation experts Regular speaker at many international events on the topic of search marketing Has been helping SMEs and organisations grow their online traffic since the birth of the internet His clients include the BBC, Bank of England and John Lewis Partnership Has also worked as a volunteer mentor to the Prince’s Trust supporting disadvantaged young people to start their own business
	Julie Macken Realise Consulting, Consultant An experienced trainer and marketer who has facilitated export focused workshops in the UK and around the world for many years Passionate about working with people and organisations to help them identify and reach their goals Has worked in-house and as a consultant and has lived and worked in Tokyo for 18 months working as a worldwide co-ordinator, managing relations between the Japanese subsidiary and the rest of the world for Alere, a pharma diagnostics business Runs her own online business and continues to work with JH Market Strategy Ltd, delivering courses in international market entry strategy and research for the Department for International Trade Also works closely with Department for International Trade in London and the South East delivering one-to-one advice on market research and selection
	Nicola Penfold Trade Sector Team Manager – Technology, Department for International Trade in London and South East Leads a team of International Trade Advisers in London and the South East of England specializing in technology and innovation Her background in joint ventures has given her valuable, practical experience of creating, using and protecting IPR both in the UK and internationally Has worked with the manufacturing sector for most of her career, initially in the design and manufacture of electronic equipment in the UK and then later with EEF and the Manufacturing Advisory Service, working to promote the importance of innovation and manufacturing to the UK economy

What’s next?

To apply for this free event, simply click the Apply Here and complete the event online application form.

If the above date is unsuitable, you can apply to attend an alternative webinar date:

• Thursday 01 July 2021 | 10.00am – 12:30pm (click here)
• Tuesday 06 July 2021 | 10.00am – 12:30pm  (click here)
• Thursday 08 July 2021 | 10.00am – 12:30pm  (click here)

You will be notified whether your application is successful or not based on the eligibility and suitability criteria listed above.

If your application is successful:

• You will be sent a link to an online Internationalisation Fund Trade Review (IFTR) form. This will need to be completed at least 48 hours prior to the event.
• Once you have completed your IFTR form, you will be contacted to schedule a meeting with one of our International Trade Advisers in the afternoon of the event. Multiple meeting slots will be available.

Please note:

• Places at this event are limited and likely to be in high demand – they will be offered to the businesses that best meet the eligibility and suitability criteria listed above.
• If you do not complete your online Internationalisation Fund Trade Review form or schedule your meeting with one of our International Trade Adviser within 48 hours of the event, your place will be offered to another eligible and suitable applicant.
• Attending this event and the 1-2-1 meeting does not ensure your application for Internationalisation Funding will be successful but can help you address all requirements of the fund and design a suitable Export Action Plan and application.

Contact

Have a question about the virtual event? Email the team at tradeevents@newable.co.uk

   Congratulations. The event exceeded my expectations. The knowledge and availability of the people involved allowed me to speed up my export strategy.“

– Webinar Attendee | Going Global in a Day, March 2021