More small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are exploring how to sell overseas. Many are finding that the promises of global markets come with a steep learning curve and significant challenges to overcome. SMEs could boost export revenues by an additional £20bn in 2030 if they are properly equipped with the know-how to take advantage of overseas opportunities according to the CBI, yet fewer than 10% of SMEs export outside the EU. Even those who want to expand often lack the knowledge, capital, or networks to make the leap. The costs of navigating customs rules, understanding tariffs and complying with international regulations are holding back thousands of promising companies.
The trade data for 2025 shows a mixed picture. UK goods exports rose by 4% in the first half of the year driven by demand for advanced manufacturing, creative services and sustainable technology. But services exports dipped, and many SMEs remain locked out. According to the Federation of Small Businesses, nearly half of SMEs believe tailored export support could “supercharge” their growth, yet a third still see overseas expansion as “too complex to attempt.”
Industry sentiment reflects this tension. HSBC’s 2025 research found that 72% of SMEs see global markets as their biggest growth opportunity, but 44% say access to trade finance and market guidance are major blockers. Oldfield Advisory’s June 2025 analysis points to “currency volatility, compliance demands and rising logistics costs” as the key threats, while noting that digitalisation is making niche export markets more accessible.
The UK government’s own 2025 trade strategy promises to “protect and boost British business” with new trade corridors and risk protection. Yet support often skews toward large corporates, leaving SMEs to work out how to translate policy into practice. Even trade missions and export credit schemes can feel remote to firms with fewer than 50 employees.
That gap is why new programmes matter. In 2025, the Business Export Exchange Programme (BEEP) set out to shift the dial for SMEs. Developed by venture studio TIN Ventures in collaboration with The Open University Business School, it takes a phased approach to opening up global markets for businesses that have been excluded or cautious until now. Rather than offering a one-off workshop or generic export toolkit, BEEP is being built as an internal expansion plan for small firms and equips them with skills to succeed.
The first Export Bootcamp phase focuses on readiness. Many SMEs are not sure if they can export and do not know what markets to target. BEEP is creating a structured audit for firms to assess products, pricing, and operational capacity against international demand. This step is about stripping away guesswork, giving firms a clear picture of where they stand before they commit resources.
The second Global Co-Pilot Incubator phase moves from theory to market entry. SMEs will be supported through regional export hubs that bring together legal advice, trade compliance guidance and links to local chambers of commerce. This phase includes curated introductions to buyers and partners in priority markets, from the EU to Africa and Asia. Rather than sending SMEs into opaque markets, the programme creates a safer on-ramp.
The third Global Trade Accelerator phase is about scaling. Export success is rarely a single shipment — it requires repeat trade. BEEP’s model includes long-term mentoring, peer networks and support for managing strategy, leadership, and risk finance. It aims to stop the drop-off that often happens when an SME makes its first international sale but cannot sustain momentum.
Each phase is complemented by flexible, online educational programmes from The Open University that fit around work. These embed skills and knowledge within leaders who can then mentor others to make the business resilient in its approach.
This kind of phased support might sound obvious, but it fills a real vacuum. SMEs make up 99% of UK businesses and account for more than half of private sector jobs, yet export support has often been scattershot. A structured path like BEEP’s gives smaller firms a chance to approach exporting with confidence, not fear.
For SMEs, the stakes are high. Businesses that export grow faster, pay higher wages, and are more resilient. The data is clear: the companies that succeed abroad are the ones that get the right support at the right stage. BEEP will not overcome every barrier, but it signals a shift — one where smaller businesses are treated not as an afterthought in trade policy, but as the driving force they could be in global markets.
