BLUE SME Internationalisation Programme

We are pleased to announce that FANBEST has been extended for another year, and as part of this extension, we are launching an Export Programme which will be supporting up to 5 SMEs located in the European Atlantic Area, who will receive up to €10,000 (EUR)* worth of funded support.   

Please note applications are now closed.   

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be an SME as per EC's definition (Less than 250 employees and €50million in turnover). Check the full SME description here

• You must have been operating for at least 3 years. If less than that but you believe you have a business case, submit your EOI and a member of our team will be in touch.

• International Experience: This is open to businesses who are either experienced, occasional exporters or new to export.

• Your business must operate in the Blue Economy. Sectors include but are not limited to:

  • Marine Renewable Energy

  • Use of Marine Resources

  • Blue Biotechnology

  • Coastal Tourism

  • Aquaculture

• Your business must be located in the European Transatlantic Area within UK, France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. 

The programme will run from April 2022 until May 2023, and will include the following activities:

Phase 1 - Blue Export Competition [April - Jun 2022]

The Blue Export Competition will offer 5 businesses across the FANBEST key territories a chance to accelerate their international growth. The successful businesses will receive up to €10,000 of funded support including international trade readiness assessment, market research and entry services, strategy planning and a market visit. Please fill in the below application form by 23rd June 2022 midnight. Shortlisted businesses will be invited to an interview in June/July for a start to activities in Aug/Sept 2022.

This competition and programme is funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area. 

CALLS FOR APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED

Phase 2 - Submission of Export Plan [July - Aug 2022]

Up to 10 companies will be pre-selected to submit an Export Plan and present it in front of a panel. 5 successful winners will move on to the next phase to help them shape their export strategy and access a wide range of support to go global.

Meet the selected companies:

• Grafmarine, United Kingdom

• Limerick Wave, Ireland

• Mappem Geophysics, France

• SeaExpert, Portugal

• Algikey, Portugal

Phase 3 - Access of Export Funded Aug 2022 - April | May 2023]

Companies will access the following support:

• Export Readiness Assessment

• Market Identification

• Support in shaping their export strategy - access to international trade advisers and coaches.

• Training & access to expert advice

• Market Opportunities 

• Market Research & Partner Finding

• Market Visit

INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

* To ensure full engagement throughout the approximately 9 months delivery for the selected companies, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to request a commitment fee of 500 EUR which will be fully refunded at the end of the Programme.

View our flyer programme here