Get your business UK market-ready
Apply today to join our virtual UK export readiness program for Atlantic Canadian SMEs.
$1,350.00*
*Enrolment fee per company (HST not applicable). Application deadline April 8, 2026.
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 United Kingdom 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
All modules run from 9am-12pm 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).
Date: April 14 (Advanced Manufacturing), April 16 (Food & Beverage), April 17 (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).
Date: April 21 (Advanced Manufacturing), April 23 (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).
Date: April 28 (Advanced Manufacturing), April 30 (Food & Beverage), TBD (Digital & Technology)
Module Four
Coaching + Refinement of Market Entry Blueprint
This module will include 2 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 5.
Format: 3-hour virtual workshop plus two 60-minute virtual workshop coaching sessions (2-one-hour sessions/company).
Date: May 5 (Advanced Manufacturing), May 7 (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.
Program runs from the week of April 13 through June 30 2026. Modules 1-4 will be completed by May 15. Modules 5-6 will be completed by June 30.
Who is this program for?
Digital
& Technology
This includes (but isn’t limited to) companies in the following subsectors: 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.
Eligibilty
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)
Program runs from the week of April 13 through June 30 2026
See program modules section for more details on dates and times.
Program Fee: $1,350.00 (per company)
Frequently Asked Questions
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UK Market Bridge is a sector-specific export readiness program helping Atlantic Canadian SMEs prepare for UK market entry.
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UK Market Bridge is specifically designed for export-ready SMEs in Digital/Tech, Advanced Manufacturing, or Food and Beverage with a marketable product/service.
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Between 20–30 companies across Atlantic Canada.
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When you complete the UK Market Bridge Program, you will have increased awareness of the opportunities available within the UK marketplace for your product/service, a market entry strategy to guide you in your market entry, and program guidance from Atlantic Canada’s federal and provincial government representatives to aid you in your market entry.
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To benefit from this program, we expect all companies to commit to attendance at workshops, the completion of a market entry strategy in consultation with the consultants, attendance at a program guidance meeting with federal and provincial representatives and completion of a post program survey.
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We expect your total time commitment to be 30-40 hours. This includes time spent attending workshops, time spent preparing for workshop, and time spent engaging with your coach.
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Up to four people can participate per company (for a total fee of $1,350.00). Note: It is expected that all designated participants attend all sessions, as each module builds on the previous one.
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UK Market Bridge is fully virtual to ensure equitable access across Atlantic Canada.
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Program modules include:
UK Market Opportunities
Sector-Specific Context
Understanding UK Requirements
Coaching + Refinement of Market Entry Blueprint
Development of a UK Market Entry Strategy
Market Entry Program Guidance
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From the week of April 13 through June 30 2026. Specific workshop dates to be announced.
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It is preferred, but not mandatory. You should be commercially ready and committed and meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
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Digital and Tech, Advanced Manufacturing, and Food and Beverage.
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A diverse team of UK-based sector experts and experienced export coaches.
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Yes, there will be two coaching sessions per company.
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Once you complete Modules 1-4 of the UK Market Bridge Program you will be eligible to receive a pre-determined amount of consulting advisory services from Atlantic Canada’s in-market consultant who will assist you in the development of a market entry strategy tailored to your company’s needs.
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No. All UK Market Bridge companies that have completed modules 1-4, have a market entry blueprint and a clearly defined statement of work will automatically be eligible for assistance from Atlantic Canada’s in-market consultant who will work with the company through a 10-day Market Entry Development Program (MEDP) to develop a detailed and actionable Market Entry Strategy tailored to their company’s needs.
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UK Market Bridge is designed to support all companies, including women-owned, Indigenous-led, youth-led, rural businesses and others.
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Participant fee is $1,350.00 per company. HST is not applicable. The per-company value of the program (before subsidies) is $30,000.
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Participants for UK Market Bridge are selected based on readiness, sector fit, and commitment.
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Please contact Erinn.Smith@cbdc.ca or Joel.Stoddart@cbdc.ca at the Nova Scotia Association of CBDCs.
Are you ready?
APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 8, 2026.
For more information about UK Market Bridge contact:
Erinn.Smith@cbdc.ca or Joel.Stoddart@cbdc.ca
Download our Program Fact Sheet
The UK Market Bridge Program is supported by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces through the Atlantic Trade, Investment, and Growth Agreement.