Department for Business & Trade
UK Market Entry & Trade Support

Expert support aligned with Department for Business & Trade (DBT) programmes — helping overseas investors, exporters, and growth-stage businesses access UK market intelligence, inward investment support, trade missions, and business growth advisory.

Speak to a UK Market Entry Adviser

The Department for Business & Trade (DBT) is the UK government department responsible for supporting business growth, exports, and inward investment. DBT helps businesses access information, government programmes, trade networks, and market intelligence across the UK and internationally. DBT engagement is generally voluntary — DBT does not incorporate companies, does not issue business licences, and DBT approval is not required to establish a UK business.

What is the Department for Business & Trade (DBT)?

The Department for Business & Trade (DBT) is a UK government department formed from the merger of the former Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). DBT's role encompasses supporting UK businesses to grow, export, and trade internationally; attracting inward investment into the United Kingdom; providing market intelligence and sector expertise; and developing trade policy and international trade relationships. DBT works with businesses of all sizes across all sectors, from early-stage startups to large multinationals.

Important: DBT and Companies House are separate organisations. Companies House registers and maintains the statutory register of UK companies. DBT does not regulate company formation or issue business licences. Engaging with DBT support programmes is generally voluntary and does not form part of the company incorporation process.

Department for Business & Trade Support Programmes

DBT operates a range of support programmes designed to help businesses grow, export, and invest in the United Kingdom. These are support initiatives, not registrations or licences. Availability and structure of individual programmes may be updated by DBT and should be confirmed via GOV.UK.

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Inward Investment Support DBT provides dedicated support for overseas businesses and investors seeking to set up, expand, or relocate operations to the United Kingdom, including market intelligence, site selection guidance, and introductions to regional investment teams.
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Export Academy A free DBT training programme providing UK businesses with the knowledge, tools, and contacts needed to successfully export their products and services to international markets.
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Trade Missions & Events DBT organises and supports trade missions, overseas trade shows, and business events providing UK companies with direct access to overseas buyers, markets, and government-to-government trade opportunities.
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Business Growth Programmes DBT works with growth-stage businesses, scale-ups, and high-potential companies to connect them with sector specialists, R&D support networks, regional growth hubs, and government business growth initiatives.

Engaging with DBT Support Services

We support businesses in identifying and accessing relevant DBT programmes, trade support, and market-entry resources. Our approach follows a structured engagement process aligned with DBT's business support framework.

Business Assessment & Market-Entry Planning Assessing your business objectives, target markets, sector focus, and UK market-entry strategy to identify the most relevant DBT support programmes and regional investment opportunities.

Sector & Market Intelligence Accessing DBT sector intelligence, market research, competitor analysis, and regional location data to inform UK market-entry decisions and export development strategies.

Programme Matching & Network Introductions Connecting businesses with the most appropriate DBT programmes, trade events, sector specialists, and regional investment teams across the United Kingdom.

Ongoing Trade & Growth Support Supporting businesses through trade mission participation, export development, scale-up planning, and ongoing access to DBT business growth initiatives and networking opportunities.

Scope of Our DBT Support Services

UK market-entry strategy and planning
Inward investment support and FDI advisory
Export readiness assessment and Export Academy support
Trade mission and overseas trade show coordination

Sector intelligence and regional investment opportunity mapping
Business growth programme identification and access
DBT network introductions and sector specialist connections
Scale-up planning and trade development guidance

Who Benefits from DBT Support?

DBT support is available to a wide range of businesses and investors. Engagement with DBT programmes is generally voluntary and does not form part of any legal requirement to operate in the UK. Organisations that commonly benefit include:

Overseas Investors & International Companies

Multinational businesses, overseas investors, and international companies seeking to establish, expand, or relocate operations to the United Kingdom can access DBT inward investment support, market intelligence, and regional investment guidance.

Technology Firms, Manufacturers & Scale-Ups

Innovative technology businesses, manufacturers, and high-growth scale-ups seeking to leverage the UK's R&D environment, talent pools, and enterprise support infrastructure can access targeted DBT sector and growth programme support.

UK Exporters & Growth-Stage Businesses

UK-based businesses looking to sell into international markets, develop export strategies, or participate in overseas trade missions can access DBT's Export Academy, trade events, and export development resources.

Key Benefits of DBT Engagement

Market Intelligence & Sector Expertise Access to DBT sector-specific market intelligence, competitor landscape analysis, and regional investment opportunity data to inform UK market-entry and expansion decisions.
Government Programmes & Business Growth Support DBT support programmes, including export development, inward investment advisory, and business growth initiatives, are generally provided free of charge to eligible UK businesses and overseas investors.
Trade Networks & Export Opportunities DBT trade missions, overseas trade shows, and business events provide direct access to international buyers, markets, and government-facilitated trade opportunities across multiple sectors and geographies.
Investment Ecosystem Access DBT connections with UK regional investment teams, enterprise zones, innovation clusters, and business networks support site selection, partnership development, and access to the broader UK investment ecosystem.

Key Outcomes & Deliverables

Market Entry Strategy & Business Growth Roadmap A tailored UK market-entry strategy aligned with DBT support programmes, covering sector analysis, regional opportunities, investment structure, and growth planning for businesses entering or expanding within the United Kingdom.

Export Development & Trade Support Plan An export development plan covering target markets, DBT trade programme access, Export Academy enrolment, trade mission opportunities, and introductions to DBT sector specialists and international trade networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Engaging with DBT support programmes is generally voluntary. There is no legal requirement to engage with the Department for Business & Trade in order to establish a UK company, invest in the UK, or conduct business in the United Kingdom. Company incorporation is carried out through Companies House, which is a separate organisation from DBT. DBT offers support services to help businesses make the most of UK market opportunities, but this engagement is optional.

DBT provides overseas investors with UK market intelligence, sector expertise, regional investment guidance, introductions to UK business networks, and support in identifying suitable locations for investment. DBT's inward investment support teams can assist with navigating the UK business environment, connecting with relevant sector specialists, and understanding available government support programmes. The majority of DBT advisory support for inward investors is provided free of charge.

The DBT Export Academy is a free training programme designed to equip UK businesses with the knowledge, skills, and contacts needed to successfully export. It covers topics including export strategy, international market selection, customs and regulatory requirements, trade finance, and building overseas partnerships. UK businesses can register for Export Academy events and resources via GOV.UK. Availability and content of Export Academy programmes may be updated by DBT.

The Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP) is a DBT initiative that has historically supported high-impact, IP-rich overseas startups and entrepreneurs in relocating their businesses to the United Kingdom. GEP offers mentoring from experienced business leaders and connects participants with UK investors, networks, and support. Businesses interested in the GEP should check current programme availability and eligibility criteria via GOV.UK, as DBT programmes may be updated or restructured.

No. DBT does not approve or regulate company incorporation in the United Kingdom. UK companies are incorporated through Companies House, which is the UK's registrar of companies and operates separately from DBT. There is no DBT approval, registration, or licence required as part of the company formation process. Once incorporated through Companies House, businesses may voluntarily engage with DBT support programmes to assist with market entry, growth, and trade.

DBT organises and supports trade missions, overseas trade shows, and business events for UK businesses seeking to access international markets. Eligible UK businesses can apply to participate in DBT-supported trade missions and may access financial support for overseas exhibition costs through relevant DBT schemes. Details of upcoming trade missions, eligibility, and how to apply are available via GOV.UK and through DBT regional trade teams.

Ready to Access UK Market Entry & DBT Support?

Speak to our UK market-entry advisers to identify the most relevant DBT support programmes, trade development opportunities, and inward investment resources for your business.