Birmingham scale-ups can apply for a year of expert support under new pilot

Fast-growing businesses in Birmingham and across the UK can now apply for a year of expert support to help them scale up and stay in Britain, under a new government pilot announced the day after the Budget.

Scale UK Connect will give 200 high-growth firms dedicated account management, tailored advice on expanding, and new ways to meet investors, major funds and fellow founders, along with trade opportunities at home and abroad.

Too many firms stall

The government says the UK is one of the best places in the world to start a company: UK tech start-ups raised $17 billion in the first half of 2026, more than France, Germany and Sweden combined. But too many promising businesses stall as they try to grow, often because they lack the advice, capital or connections to reach the next level.

The £3.4 million pilot is led by the growth agency London and Partners, working with partners in Manchester, the Birmingham region, Yorkshire, the South West and Scotland. In this region, support will come through the regional growth company and its Growth Hub.

Birmingham firm among those interested

Businesses are already signalling their enthusiasm, the government says, including Birmingham's CyberQ Group, which provides round-the-clock protection against cyber threats, Glasgow's Raven Controls and Newcastle-based GeoPura.

UK Science Minister Chris McDonald said: "Britain is brimming with entrepreneurial talent that can benefit us all. But those who put their neck on the line to start the businesses behind jobs and growth need to know we've got their backs to take their ambitions further."

Neil Rami, chief executive of the regional growth company, said supporting high-growth businesses to scale up was critical to the region's growth plan. "These firms drive innovation, boost productivity, and create skilled jobs, helping to strengthen our regional and national economies," he said.

Janet Coyle, managing director at London and Partners, said: "Scale UK Connect will help ambitious businesses find new customers, attract investors, and break into markets around the world."

A track record to build on

The pilot builds on London and Partners' Grow London Global programme, which in 2025-26 helped 265 scale-up businesses export internationally, generating £595 million in economic value, with more than 6,600 jobs expected. Some 85 per cent of its 2025-26 graduates reported higher turnover.

How to apply

Applications are open until January 2027. The first group of businesses will start in February 2027 and receive 12 months of tailored support. The scheme is part of a wider package for entrepreneurs announced in yesterday's Budget, as the Chancellor aims to make the UK the best place in the world for businesses to start, scale and stay.