Get your business UK market-ready
Apply today to join our virtual United Kingdom (UK) export readiness program for Atlantic Canadian small-to-medium enterprises (up to 499 paid employees).
UK Market Bridge is Atlantic Canada’s fast-track pathway into the UK market — turning strong local companies into confident UK-ready exporters.
Build your UK export plan with real UK experts and enter the market with confidence.
Why export to the UK?
The UK purchases nearly $40 billion in Canadian goods and services each year, making it our country’s third largest export destination. Canada and the UK have a long-standing trade relationship built on high trust, shared values, common business practices, and a desire for mutual prosperity. In a fast-changing economic landscape, the UK represents an attractive market for innovative Canadian exporters looking to expand and diversify.
Program Modules
There are six modules. All modules run from 9:00 am-12:00 pm ADT. Module structure and content may vary by sector, based on specific sectoral requirements.
Module One: UK Market Opportunities
This module introduces participants to UK economic conditions, buyer behavior, procurement models, and opportunity mapping across the validated priority sectors.
- Format: 3-hour virtual workshop (one for each sector).
- Dates: April 14, 2026 | Advanced Manufacturing, April 16, 2026 | Food & Beverage, April 17, 2026 | Digital & Technology)
Module Two: Sector-Specific Context
This module explores UK route to market strategy considerations and key steps for exporting in the UK. This will help participants contextualize opportunities and lay the foundation to begin developing an initial UK market entry blueprint grounded in real market conditions.
- Format: 3-hour virtual workshop (one for each sector).
- Dates: April 21, 2026 | Advanced Manufacturing, April 23, 2026 | Food & Beverage, TBD | Digital & Technology
Module Three: Understanding UK Requirements
This module addresses common readiness gaps like regulatory compliance, certification, IP protection, logistics, and cultural business practices, enabling companies to assess their own preparedness and identify actions required to meet UK market standards.
- Format: 3-hour virtual workshop (one for each sector).
- Dates: April 28, 2026 | Advanced Manufacturing, April 30, 2026 | Food & Beverage, TBD | Digital & Technology
Module Four: Coaching + Refinement of Market Entry Blueprint
This module will include two company focused guided coaching sessions during which companies will define their ideal customer profile and refine their UK market entry blueprint to include short-term actions and identify realistic partnership and growth pathways. The information gathered in this module will be utilized in the development of a clearly defined statement of work that will be needed for the company’s participation in Module Five.
- Format: 3-hour virtual workshop plus two 60-minute virtual workshop coaching sessions (2-one-hour sessions/company).
- Dates: May 5, 2026 | Advanced Manufacturing), May 7, 2026 | Food & Beverage, TBD | Digital & Technology
Module Five: Development of a UK Market Entry Strategy
Companies completing modules 1-4 of the UK Market Bridge curriculum with a clearly defined scope of work based on their market entry blueprint will be paired with a pre-determined consultant for the development of a tailored UK Market Entry Strategy for their company. The Strategy will include company tailored research for the UK market and clear actionable steps for market entry including implementation tactics, sequencing, timelines, roles and responsibilities, and realistic budgets for market entry.
- Format: individual company meeting with federal and provincial representatives and the organizations delivering the UK Market Bridge and Market Entry Strategy programs.
Module Six: Market Entry Program Guidance
Upon completion of Module 5, companies will meet with provincial and federal trade support teams to discuss the programs and services needed for the company to execute their go-to-market strategy, pursue UK opportunities, and maintain momentum beyond the program.
- Format: one-on-one meetings with federal and provincial representatives.
UK Market Bridge runs from the week of April 13, 2026 through June 30, 2026. Modules One to Four will be completed by May 15, 2026. Modules Five and Six will be completed by June 30, 2026.
Which industries does this program target?
Digital & Technology
This includes (but isn’t limited to) companies in the following sub-sectors: AI, data-driven platforms, analytics, cybersecurity and digital trust, digital health and medical technologies, enterprise software, SaaS, and digital infrastructure.
Advanced Manufacturing
This includes (but isn’t limited to) companies in the following subsectors: Aerospace and defence manufacturing and supply chains, advanced materials, composites, lightweight structures, precision engineering, automation, and robotics.
Food & Beverage
This includes (but isn’t limited to) companies in the following subsectors: processed food and ingredients, beverages, seafood and aquaculture products, functional and health-led food products.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the UK Market Bridge Program, you must demonstrate that your business:
- is a provincially or federally registered company in good standing, and is headquartered in Atlantic Canada
- possesses a fully developed, exportable product and/or service that can potentially be sold into the UK market
- is interested in creating or expanding its international footprint, meaning a move to new markets or increasing its exports in the UK market
- possesses a proven record or strong potential for revenue growth
- has the financial capacity for strategy development and execution
- has senior management commitment and the human resource capacity to execute the strategy, including internal and external sales and marketing support to lead implementation, including the potential of travel to market
- has the production and service capacity to meet projected increases in demand
- has considered expected outcomes in international markets, including anticipated sales growth
- understands factors that may need to be addressed (e.g., competition, cultural competencies, import controls, intellectual property status, certifications, and regulatory, legal, taxation issues)
Participation Fee
The participation fee is $1,350.00 (no HST) per company. The participation fee will be processed once the application form has been approved.
How do I apply?
To apply, fill out the online application form via the link below.
UK Market Bridge runs from the week of April 13, 2026 through June 30 2026. Please refer the the above Modules section for more details on dates and times.
The application deadline is Monday, March 30, 2026.
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 which aims to help Atlantic businesses begin exporting, increase their export sales, expand to new markets, and create global partnerships. The strategy was developed jointly by the provincial governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, and the Government of Canada.
