Global Business Innovation Programme: Engineering biology – Japan

To apply for this GBIP, you must be:

• a UK-based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and scale globally
• a company with fewer than 250 employees
• the CEO, founder, or senior decision maker in the business
• able to attend all workshops and complete all activities

Businesses that have been on a previous GBIP (in the same market and/or technology area) will need to demonstrate they have exploited the previous opportunity to be considered and how this programme will add significant additional benefit.  Preference may be given to businesses that have not participated previously.

Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.

Please note that the Department for Business and Trade will run a trade mission to Japan in parallel to this GBIP. These are two separate programmes: While DBT’s programme is focused on commercial outcomes and connecting businesses to buyers in-market. the GBIP is focused on building R&D and innovation partnerships, You will only be able to join one of the two delegations.

Successful applicants will benefit from an intensive 9-12 month, three phase programme with bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist throughout.

Get ready: A two-day preparation workshop to build knowledge and understanding of the market and opportunities, including cultural aspects, how to do business, protecting Intellectual Property, and support to better articulate your value proposition.

Visit the market: Explore the innovation opportunities first-hand through pre-arranged matchmaking events, meetings with key contacts, research organisations and potential collaborators and partners.

Exploit the opportunity: An exploitation workshop and one-to-one bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist to help you follow-up and maximise the opportunities identified through the programme.

Japan, the world’s third-largest economy by GDP, leads in R&D investment, and is a substantial market for innovative UK engineering biology companies and a potential gateway to other Asian markets.

Home to over 200 Forbes Global 2000 companies, Japan ranks third in global corporate R&D spending, trailing only the United States and China. This economic and technological prowess makes Japan a critical partner for the UK

Japan aims to expand its bioeconomy market to US$650 billion by 2030, providing growing and exciting opportunities for UK engineering biology companies. Japan aims to expand its bioeconomy market to US$650 billion by 2030, providing growing and exciting opportunities for UK engineering biology companies.

• Introductory briefing
• Visits to research and technology organisations
• Participation in BioJapan 2025 as part of a UK delegation
• Company visits and meetings with key contacts
• Focused B2B events and tailored 1-2-1 meetings
• High quality networking opportunities

• DNA synthesis
• DNA sequencing
• Bioinformatics
• Analytical instruments
• Automation
• Supercomputing (for enginnering biology)
• Supply of reagents

• Build market knowledge and intelligence
• Seed new business partnerships, develop RD&I collaborations, and identify partners for bilateral funding calls
• Introductions to senior figures and influential contacts
• Raise your profile and stimulate new business opportunities and ideas
• Improve your value proposition, hone your skills, and grow in confidence to tackle global markets
• Connect with peers, expand your network, and learn from like-minded, ambitious businesses

There will be a follow-on funding opportunity later in the year to undertake feasibility studies to explore proof-of-concept for the Japanese market as part of Innovate UK’s Global Explorers Programme. Companies selected for this GBIP and others will be able to apply.

• Application deadline – 25/07/25
• Application outcome – 30/07/25
• Get ready workshop – 08/09/25-09/09/25
• Market Visit – 03/10/25-11/10/25
• Exploit the opportunity workshop – 12/03/26

Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation, in-market travel, and conference fees for successful applicants.

Innovate UK will also pay for any reasonable adjustments throughout the initiative. Only one representative from each company will be funded and the same person is required to participate in all parts of the programme.

On acceptance to the programme a commitment fee of £1000 will be obtained from each delegate, which will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed work plan.

Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all of the commitment fee.