Small businesses taking on the world

UK SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) are the backbone of the economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and supporting local communities – they also account for 99.8% of the UK’s business population and employing around 60% of the private sector workforce. As we enter 2026, many of these businesses are now looking beyond the UK to grow further, tapping into global markets to reach new customers, increase revenue, and strengthen resilience. While international expansion can feel daunting, support from UK Export Finance (UKEF) is helping small businesses turn ideas into action.

Supporting SMEs to reach global markets

Expanding into international markets can be challenging and even daunting for small businesses, from understanding unfamiliar regulations to managing cash flow and payment risks. UKEF, the government’s export credit agency, provides tools and advice that can help businesses navigate these challenges. Regional Export Finance Managers (EFMs) offer guidance on finance options, market opportunities, and connecting with lenders to make exporting more manageable.

For example, the General Export Facility can make trade finance easier to access, while the Export Insurance Policy helps protect businesses against non-payment risks. Smaller companies can also use the Small Export Builder, which allows them to start with a modest credit limit and grow it incrementally as they establish relationships with overseas buyers. This approach helps businesses enter new markets in a measured, practical way, reducing some of the uncertainty involved in exporting.

Success stories: how SMEs have been going global in 2025

Several 2025 examples show just how impactful exporting can be for business growth.

Tilz Prosperitas, founded by Leeds entrepreneur Tayo Adebisi with just £5,000, has grown from a small e-commerce store into an international brand. Trade loans arranged through UKEF’s Export Assist programme and partners like Dynamic Funding helped Tilz expand into Europe and North America, meet customer demand, and continue creating local jobs.

Digital Pixel, a Brighton-based Life Sciences business supplying advanced microscopy systems, had been exporting to Europe and Australia for years. But entering the Saudi Arabian market was challenging due to commercial insurance limits. UKEF’s Small Export Builder provided coverage and incremental credit, allowing Digital Pixel to secure its first Middle East contract while continuing its important research contributions.

Food business TruffleHunter, a Queen’s Award-winning producer from the Cotswolds, also used the Small Export Builder to expand into Southeast Asia. Government-backed export insurance allowed the company to access contracts in Malaysia and the Philippines, markets that commercial insurers would not cover, building confidence and paving the way for further orders in Thailand, Ecuador, and Mexico.

The benefits of exporting for SMEs

Expanding into global markets brings tangible benefits. Businesses can reach more customers, respond to diverse consumer preferences, and reduce reliance on a single domestic market. Exporting also helps stabilise revenue streams and makes companies more resilient to economic fluctuations.

For Tilz, Digital Pixel, and TruffleHunter, international growth meant investing in staff, scaling operations, and strengthening long-term trading relationships. These stories highlight how practical support, guidance, and access to finance can unlock growth potential, enabling small businesses to compete internationally.

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Impact on the UK economy

When SMEs grow internationally, the benefits go beyond the company itself. Expanding operations creates high-value jobs, strengthens local communities, and generates overseas revenue that flows back into the UK economy.

UKEF’s support is measurable. In 2024/25, the agency provided financing to over 667 UK companies, helping safeguard up to 70,000 jobs. By making trade finance and insurance accessible, UKEF helps SMEs take confident steps into new markets, driving both business growth and wider economic impact.

Expanding horizons: opportunities for SMEs

2025 shows that UK SMEs are ambitious and ready to compete internationally. With the right guidance, finance, and insurance, small businesses can reach new markets, diversify their revenue, and become more resilient. UKEF helps ensure that business size doesn’t hold back opportunity. For SMEs ready to expand, global markets are accessible, bringing benefits not just for the business but for local communities and the wider UK economy.