GOING GLOBAL; ISRAELI COMPANIES POISED FOR UK MARKET PENETRATION AND BEYOND

Yesterday, the Department for @Business and Trade (DBT) at the British Embassy in Israel delivered a high-impact Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP) Masterclass, tailored for Israeli entrepreneurs and company founders. The hour-long webinar was concise, practical, and packed with insights on how Israeli entrepreneurs can leverage UK market opportunities..

What is the Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP)?

The GEP is a fully funded UK Government initiative designed to support innovative international businesses in expanding their presence in the UK. Israeli founders with plans for UK expansion presence are being offered an array of services, from one-on-one guidance provided by experienced Dealmakers, who are in their own right successful entrepreneurs and investors, who offer expert advice on market entry, fundraising, and long-term growth.

The DBT’s Key Pillars

Liron Attias , Head of Investment, Business & Trade at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv, opened the session well by highlighting the UK-Israel relationship and DBT’s main areas of support:

• Free Trade Agreement (FTA): UK-Israel bilateral trade currently stands at $6 billion annually, with negotiations for a standalone FTA underway.
• Trade and Export: Supporting UK companies expanding into Israel.
• Investment: Helping Israeli companies successfully establish operations in the UK.

How Can the DBT Help Israeli Companies Expand?

Liron continued and the Dealmakers outlined a range of bespoke services available to Israeli company founders:

• Bespoke Market Research: Tailored reports on UK-specific industry trends, market size, and competitor benchmarking.
• Bureaucratic and Immigration Support: Assistance with setting up a UK entity, immigration guidance for founders and their families, and navigating UK legal requirements.
• Network of Sector Specialists: Access to key players in the UK’s industries, particularly tech, healthcare, finance, and retail sectors.
• Event Facilitation: Opportunities for Israeli startups to connect with British experts and investors through delegations, pitch events, and networking forums.

Meet the Dealmakers

Simon Sprince Founder, investor, and innovation consultant, Simon has helped scale companies across education, healthcare, e-commerce, and retail. Eamon Tuhami With over 25 years of experience building tech businesses and more than 70 investments, Eamon focuses on AI, big data, fintech, and supporting startups from Series A onwards.

Both Dealmakers emphasised that expanding to the UK doesn’t mean limiting operations to London. Many companies use the UK as a springboard into broader European and global markets, and GEP has already helped over 1,000 startups successfully establish their UK presence!

Why EIS and SEIS Are Game-Changers for Israeli Founders

The UK’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) offer powerful tax incentives to attract angel and venture investors:

EIS: 30% income tax relief on investments of up to ￡1 million per tax year (or ￡2 million for knowledge-intensive companies) and SEIS: 50% income tax relief on investments of up to ￡200,000 per year, ideal for early-stage fundraising. These schemes also include capital gains tax, exemptions and loss relief, reducing risk for investors and encouraging more investments in innovative startups.

Other Key Benefits for Investors:

• Capital Gains Tax Relief: Investors pay no capital gains tax on profits from successful exits until 2035, recently confirmed by the British Government.
• R&D Tax Credits: Israeli founders with UK subsidiaries can claim tax relief, even if foreign employees are paid through the UK payroll.
• Innovate UK Grants: Non-dilutive grants are available to support applied R&D, further boosting credibility when raising private investment.

The UK Startup Lifecycle: Why Early-Stage Funding Thrives

In the UK, seed funding plays a key role in helping early-stage and mid-sized companies grow. The Dealmakers noted that while US venture capital typically dominates Series A rounds in the UK, angel investors and private liquidity drive early-stage funding, thanks to schemes like EIS and SEIS.

Last year alone, UK startups raised ￡4.4 billion in seed funding. The NHS (the largest healthcare organisation globally) also offers progressive opportunities for health tech startups to conduct pilots and navigate the “valley of death” to achieve Series A funding.

The Founder’s Journey: What Works

The Dealmakers shared key advice for Israeli founders:

• Commit Time in the UK: Successful founders block at least six weeks at a time in the UK to network and navigate local opportunities.
• Secure Israeli Funding First: Closing initial funding in Israel builds credibility and visibility before seeking UK investment.
• Maximise Alumni Support: GEP offers long-term founder-to-founder mentoring through its alumni network, helping Israeli entrepreneurs thrive beyond their initial market entry.

Tip:

To maximise investment and tax relief upside, founders should wait to register their UK entity until they’ve relocated officially. Creating a company prematurely can limit opportunities to benefit from UK incentives.

Kudos to the terrific team who delivered such a professional and much-needed/ timely seminar for Israeli founders eyeing the UK market as an anchor stepping stone to R.O.W.? Really enjoyed the accurate and realistic summary of the tools and techniques available through the UK’s innovative structure to support new businesses” Chana Greenberg - Biotech Specialist Executive CG Consulting

Watch the Webinar 1.5 long replay below. ??

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f48ca923-2c29-4767-97c0-917be8f19ef1@d3a2d0d3-7cc8-4f52-bbf9-85bd43d94279?vod&attendeeId=9c5994e0-6038-4ffa-b61c-806c0b65f9fd

If you have any further questions or would like to explore how GEP can support your growth, Simon and Eamon have welcome questions and are contactable at [email protected] and [email protected].

Article by Jon Simmons - Content Strategist for Family Offices, VC's and Investment Houses

See also;

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Startup Nation Report 2024, by Start-Up Nation Central

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