About us

Building global companies from scratch is not for the faint-hearted. It needs market knowledge, extensive business networks, creativity and foresight. See how the GEP makes a difference.

A revolution in global business

We are the Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP), set up in 2003 by UK Trade & Investment. Our aim is to create high profit sustainable global companies from pioneering start-ups, using the UK as a strategic headquarters and base for international expansion.

Our global networks offer huge investment opportunities by identifying the world’s brightest entrepreneurial talent. We connect these entrepreneurs with investors, management talent and strategic partners in the UK to turn their innovation into a global success.

GEP is essentially a business accelerator. We turn local entrepreneurs into global companies, and with every success comes excellent benefits for our investment partners.

Supporting tomorrow’s global entrepreneurs

We work with entrepreneurs with innovative technologies from all over the world. Each entrepreneur possesses exceptional skills and intellectual property in technology or healthcare sectors.

Once we have helped an entrepreneur to set up their headquarters in the UK, their business can expand globally. Having a stable base in the UK allows them to capitalise on benefits such as a tax regime, an educated workforce, well-developed intellectual property protection, easy access to financial markets as well as excellent international growth opportunities.

Commercially driven, Government backed

GEP is unique in that it combines commercial flair and acumen with the ability to open doors that only a Government department can offer. Our dealmakers have extensive networks in business, government and financial markets. This means we are well placed to spot early stage opportunities, introduce entrepreneurs to the right investors and then smooth their path towards setting up in the UK. We then work closely with our clients while their businesses grow, offering strategic business advice at every step.

That way we can be sure of creating not only successful businesses, but sustainable ones too.

Outstanding success stories

Since 2003, we’ve helped over 85 entrepreneurs and early-stage technology companies to establish in the UK. We’ve attracted exciting technologies here, and brought in venture capital investment of over US$200 million. Every year, our success rate continues to increase. In 2006/07 there were 29 successes, seven higher than in the previous year. It proves that in global markets, even young companies have the potential to grow fast.

Talk to us

We have a pipeline of business growth and investment opportunities available through our networks, waiting for you to be a part of and a global market waiting for your innovation or new business opportunity. Isn’t the GEP something you’d like to be plugged-in to?