UK targets Israeli innovation with launch of new accelerator programme
Announced by the Department for Business and Trade at the British Embassy in Israel, ScaIL UK connects Israeli scaleups with Britain’s £1.2 trillion tech economy through targeted support and a London roadshow
The British Embassy in Israel has launched a major new initiative designed to accelerate the expansion of Israel’s leading tech scaleups into the UK market.
The exclusive programme, ScaIL UK (Scale-up Israel to UK), was unveiled this month by the UK’s Department for Business and Trade at the British Embassy in Israel as the UK aims to bolster its position as a global tech leader and strengthen its ties with Israel.
Driven by the UK’s industrial programme, ScaIL UK focuses on eight key growth sectors: clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, creative industries, financial services, business and professional services, digital and technology, and life sciences. It marks the most significant government-backed effort in years to attract high-growth Israeli companies valued at over $1 billion.
Ceri Morgan CBE, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe and Israel, said: “We’re connecting Israeli scaleups to a $1.2 trillion tech economy – Europe’s largest and the world’s third biggest.
“With world-class infrastructure, rule of law and a clear industrial strategy, the UK is positioning itself as the best place to do business. This is where ambition meets opportunity.”
The programme, no open for applications, offers six deep-dive sessions in Tel Aviv from 13 January to 17 February 2026, covering market entry strategy, regulatory frameworks, funding pathways and UK stakeholder engagement. It will culminate in a London roadshow from 23–25 February, including industry roundtables and meetings with investors, corporate partners and government officials.
British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters said ScaIL UK is designed to give companies the confidence to make long-term investment decisions in Britain. “The UK offers the G7’s lowest corporation tax, generous R&D incentives and a global outlook from day one,” he said. “Through ScaIL UK, we’re equipping Israeli companies with the tools they need to scale, hire and innovate across the UK.”
Although diplomatic relations between the UK and Israel have been tested over the past two years, Israel remains one of the UK’s strongest tech partners, and British policymakers see Israeli scaleups as crucial contributors to future growth in health tech, cyber security and fintech.
ScaIL UK is also part of a wider push to deepen regional partnerships, including through initiatives like the Northern Health-Tech Gateway, which connects Israeli medical technology innovators with UK healthcare ecosystems.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said the programme aims to drive job creation, investment and commercial activity across both countries. High-growth scaleups selected for the scheme are expected to expand rapidly into the UK market, leveraging Britain’s talent pool, regulatory stability and global reach.
“This programme strengthens the already deep economic ties between UK and Israeli companies,” Walters said, “and opens new horizons for innovation and collaboration.”
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