UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme ITT Publication

The Department for International Trade ("DIT") has a potential requirement for the provision of the "UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme" as part of the UK's Asia Pacific Digital Trade Network (a joint DIT-DCMS initiative).

The Secretary of State for DIT is the contracting authority responsible for meeting this anticipated requirement.

The contract shall be for a period of 48 months, including any available contract option(s). The requirement has an estimated total value of £5.6million /inc-VAT and this value includes any available contract option(s).

In the March 2020 Budget, the UK government announced funding for a 3-year pilot Digital Trade Network for Asia Pacific to support UK digital tech businesses to internationalise in the region; attract capital and talent to the UK; and enhance UK digital trade and digital economy collaborations internationally.

A key element of the Digital Trade Network has been what is currently described as the overseas 'Tech Entrepreneur Network', which helps innovative UK businesses make the leap to new markets by connecting them into local networks using on-the-ground expertise, accelerating their access to capital, customers and talent in the local market. It also seeks to raise the profile of the UK's digital tech sector, promoting its strength, successes and potential as a destination for digital tech businesses, talent and investment.

Tech Nation is the current provider of the 'Tech Entrepreneur Network', through to end March 2023. With funding for the DTN pilot now extended to end March 2025, DIT has allocated funding for a 2-year contract (with 2 x 12 month extension options) to continue this work, now described as a 'UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme'. The change of name is to reflect more accurately the aims of the programme and refinement of the contract delivery requirements.