Helping Atlantic Canadian ICT companies explore opportunities in the UK
The Market Exploration Program UK (the Program) supports high-growth Atlantic Canadian ICT companies in cybersecurity, SaaS/enterprise software, and data analytics, and AI as they explore, validate, and position their solutions in the UK’s expanding innovation ecosystem.
Through virtual education and preparation and in-market visits with pre-arranged meetings in Edinburgh, Scotland and Newcastle, England, participants will gain insights into the UK digital ecosystem, strengthen product-market fit, develop market entry strategies, and build long-term trade relationships.
You can download the Program Guidelines and FAQ by clicking the links in the sidebar under Related Documents. The Application Form is under Online Forms.
Why the UK — and why Edinburgh and Newcastle
The UK is Europe’s #1 tech ecosystem, with more than 17,000 venture capital-backed start-ups, making it a globally recognized destination for technology companies looking to expand internationally. While London dominates many of the UK’s technology rankings, MEP UK takes a more focused approach, connecting Atlantic Canadian companies with two dynamic regional markets where there is strong opportunity to build relationships and gain traction across cybersecurity, SaaS and enterprise software, data analytics, and AI.
Newcastle is one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech hubs, with a dedicated soft-landing infrastructure to help technology companies scale. Its robust but accessible ecosystem offers opportunities to connect with businesses, industry leaders and ecosystem partners across SaaS, enterprise software, data analytics, AI, and cybersecurity, while its collaborative business culture offers a familiar starting point for Atlantic Canadian companies. Strong investments in data and technology infrastructure, including the National Innovation Centre for Data and Stellium Data Centres, are helping strengthen the region’s technology ecosystem.
Edinburgh is the UK’s #1 tech start-up and scale-up hub outside London, and Scotland’s leading technology hub. Its strong ecosystem spans technology companies, universities, and innovation organizations, with significant activity in data analytics, AI, enterprise SaaS, and cybersecurity. Organizations such as The Data Lab further strengthen the region’s capabilities in data science and AI, providing a wealth of opportunities to build connections and explore new markets - all within a manageable, highly connected city.
Together, Edinburgh and Newcastle offer Atlantic Canadian technology companies a focused opportunity to access the scale and credibility of the UK tech ecosystem while building meaningful relationships and exploring new opportunities for growth.
Who can apply
All applicants must:
- Be a registered business in good standing in one of the four Atlantic provinces.
- Have a differentiated and validated technology or product.
Have a proven product-market fit with a defined target audience. - Demonstrate interest in exploring opportunities in the UK.
- Have no outstanding legal actions or defaults under other financial assistance programs from provincial or federal agencies.
- Be willing to commit the required participation fee and cover their own travel, accommodation, and per diem costs for the in-market component.
- Have sufficient resources to target, visit and achieve growth in the UK market.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Non-export-ready companies.
- Businesses not operating in or related to cybersecurity, SaaS/enterprise software, and data analytics and AI.
- Publicly funded organizations and non-revenue-generating not-for-profits.
How it works
The Program is delivered in two phases:
Phase 1: Education & Preparation (Virtual)
Dates: October 2026 (4 weeks)
Participation fee: $150.00 + HST, per company (non-refundable)
Includes:
- Overview of the UK digital ecosystem and market dynamics.
- Value proposition refinement and product-market fit.
- UK market entry strategies and buyer engagement.
- Procurement processes and business culture.
- Sector-specific guidance on cybersecurity regulations, compliance requirements, and other technical considerations.
- Tailored guidance through sector-specific breakout sessions with consultants.
This phase provides a flexible entry point for companies that want to build their understanding of the UK market and validate opportunities before committing to in-market activities outlined in Phase 2.
Phase 2: Market Entry (In-Market)
Dates: November 2026–February 2027
Participation fee: $2,000.00 + HST, per approved/selected company
Includes:
- 10 targeted B2B meetings per company, including a mix of virtual and in-person meetings.
- Work with a local UK consultant to co-develop a market entry scope of work.
- Five days of in-market activities in Edinburgh, Scotland and Newcastle, England, including: meetings with trade commissioners, consultants, and strategic introductions to key industry stakeholders; site visits; pitch coaching with access to a consultant to refine your sales pitch for these regions; and a networking reception with live pitch opportunities.
Eligible costs
Covered by the Program:
- Third-party professional fees, including consultants for program-delivered activities.
- Program-related event and workshop costs.
- Branding, translation (if applicable), and digital assets for program delivery.
Company responsibility:
- Participation fees – Phase 1: $150.00 + HST; Phase 2: $2,000.00 + HST.
- Airfare, accommodations, meals, and per diems.
- Personal expenses and costs unrelated to Program delivery.
How to apply
Applications must be received by 5:00 PM (ADT) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.*
To apply for the Program, download, complete, and submit the Market Exploration Program UK Application Form in the link below or located in the sidebar under Related Documents.
Submit your application via email to:
Judith Dardon, Export Development Executive
Invest Nova Scotia
judith.dardon@investnovascotia.ca
Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.
Applications received after the submission deadline will not be considered.
*Registration is not complete until you submit payment for Phase 1.
How to submit payment
To submit the mandatory Phase 1 non-refundable Participation Fee, click on the respective Eventbrite link below:
Nova Scotia companies only:
Atlantic Canada companies located in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland & Labrador only:
Companies that qualify for Phase 2 will receive a payment link.
Selection criteria
Applications will be evaluated on:
- Alignment with the eligibility requirements.
- Differentiation and validation of the digital product, service, or technology.
- Demonstrated product-market fit and understanding of the target audience.
- Interest in exploring opportunities in the UK market.
- Company’s capacity and commitment to actively participate in Program activities.
Participant commitments
Companies must:
- Pay the participation fees – Phase 1: $150.00 + HST and/or Phase 2: $2,000.00 + HST.
- Attend and actively participate in all virtual and in-market activities.
- Work closely with assigned consultants and Program staff.
- Cover travel, accommodation, meals and per diem costs for in-market activities.
- Complete all required surveys and post-program follow-ups.
- Provide updates on business leads, partnerships, and market readiness outcomes.
- Represent Atlantic Canada professionally in all Program-related activities.
Key dates
- Recruitment & Application Intake: September 2026
- Application deadline: September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM ADT
- Phase 1 – Virtual: October 2026
- Phase 2: November 2026–February 2027. In-Market: February 22–26, 2027.
Contact
For more information, please refer to the Program Guidelines and FAQ located in the sidebar under Related Documents, or contact your provincial representative:
Nova Scotia / Program Lead
Judith Dardon, Invest Nova Scotia
judith.dardon@investnovascotia.ca
902.456.1533
New Brunswick
Jeff Gordon-Johnson, Opportunities NB
jeff.gordon-johnson@onbcanada.ca
506.230.1420
Prince Edward Island
Shelby McDonald, Innovation PEI
shelbymcdonald@gov.pe.ca
902.213.0673
Newfoundland and Labrador
Patrick Foran, Provincial Trade Commissioner
patrickforan@gov.nl.ca
709.729.1873
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Josée Ouellet, Economic Development Officer
josee.ouellet@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
506.260.9735
This project is being supported by the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy, a partnership between the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provincial governments. The Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy is a collaborative, pan-Atlantic approach that aims to help Atlantic businesses begin exporting, increase their export sales, expand to new markets, and create global partnerships.
