The Glasgow City Innovation District Venture Studio International Mission programme for 2025 aims to support Glasgow-based SMEs looking to deliver impact by expanding their products and services into target international markets. The programme will be delivered through two GCID-led international trade missions, the first to Barcelona and the second to Toronto and Boston, for cohorts of companies from target sectors.

Unlock global opportunities

As part of the trade missions, you will have the:

  • Opportunity to identify and connect with new customers in an international field: The GCID missions have been identified to connect a specific Glasgow-based company sector strength with an international location known for its expertise and customer base in that area. 
  • Chance to learn from partner innovation ecosystems and key stakeholders: All missions will include GCID facilitated events/visits/connections with a partner innovation ecosystems. 
  • Opportunity to develop capability and capacity within your organisation to expand into international markets: As part of the programme, companies will partake in tailored training and mentoring sessions to build knowledge and accelerate impact. 
  • Networking and collaboration opportunities: During missions, there will be the opportunity to connect with potential new customers and to showcase capabilities. 
  • Support to access follow-on funding: Following on from previous successful programmes, GCID will aim to build on the outcomes of the missions by seeking to identify follow-on grant funding to support new customer development.  
Barcelona skyline
Mission 1

Critical Tech Companies to Mobile World Congress

Location: Barcelona and @22 Barcelona Innovation District

Dates: 2nd-5th March 2026

Toronto and Boston skylines
Mission 2

Life Sciences and Clean Tech Companies

Location: MaRS in Toronto, R+T Park in Waterloo  and Kendal Square in Boston

Dates: 23rd-27th March 2026

Maximising your impact

GCID will also provide participating companies with:  

  • A series of supporting events and mentoring opportunities before the mission to ensure companies are ‘Mission Ready’  
  • Connections to international innovation ecosystems at mission locations that can help build SME capabilities. 

Following each mission, GCID will look to develop a follow-on grant funding call to support international customer and service development, building on connections made during the mission.   

All pre-mission training, networking, trip coordination, expo entry (where applicable) and additional in-mission activities will be fully funded by GCID.  A grant for funding to cover travel, accommodation and associated expenses is available through Glasgow City Council for companies that meet eligibility criteria.

Glasgow City Innovation District Venture Studio Funding 

This project is funded by Glasgow City Council and UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). 

Funded by UK Government
Glasgow City Council logo