Building a global company rarely begins with a single international trip. More often than not, it is the result of focused preparation, strong introductions, and a clear sense of what success looks like in new markets. As Scotland’s startup ecosystem grows, more founders are ready to take that step – and Techscaler’s international programmes are designed to help them do it with purpose and momentum.
Delivered by CodeBase on behalf of the Scottish Government, Techscaler has always focused on strengthening the foundations of Scotland’s tech ecosystem. That includes supporting founders at the earliest stages of company building, while also creating clear pathways for those who are ready to scale both nationally and globally.
Techscaler’s international programmes help founders approach this step strategically. Rather than delivering a one-size-fits-all overseas visit, the programmes create the conditions for founders and senior leaders to pursue the opportunities that matter most to their business. Participants are supported through preparation, mentorship, and ecosystem guidance that helps them build a self-directed plan for engaging with each market.
Where Techscaler Is Taking Founders in 2026
In 2026, Techscaler will deliver a sequence of international programmes that reflect both founder demand and Scotland’s evolving position within global innovation networks. The destinations include:
- 17th-30th April: Tokyo, Japan with attendance to SusHi Tech
- 30th May - 20th June: New York and New Jersey during New York Tech Week
- October: San Francisco Bay Area during San Francisco Tech Week
- November: Singapore
- December 2026: Hong Kong and mainland China
Each programme is designed for companies that already have market traction and are ready to actively pursue growth in international markets. This may include businesses generating revenue, running pilots or early deployments, or reaching the stage where international customers, partners, or investors become central to their next phase of development. For deep tech and regulated industries, readiness may instead be defined by technical validation, strategic partnerships, or sector-specific milestones.
A Programme built around preparation and execution
Our approach to international programmes has been refined over the past few years, with 2026’s programmes focusing on working with smaller cohorts of companies that are well-positioned to pursue commercial engagement while they are in market. Preparation begins well before departure, with founders working through mentorship and structured sessions that focus on market understanding, cultural dynamics, commercial positioning, goal-setting, and the practical realities of operating internationally.
By the time companies arrive in the market, the focus shifts from exploration to execution. Where relevant, programmes are built around anchor events taking place within major technology gatherings, and supported by networks of local mentors, investors, corporates, and ecosystem builders. These relationships provide credible routes into markets that would otherwise take much longer to build independently.
Why these markets matter
Our mission to Japan is a strong illustration of how these programmes evolve through experience. Following the visit last year, the 2026 programme deepens engagement with Japan’s innovation ecosystem while aligning with the SusHiTech conference. For Scottish companies working in deep tech, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and enterprise technology, Japan offers a significant opportunity that also requires careful navigation of relationship-led business culture and longer enterprise sales cycles.
New York and New Jersey offer a different kind of environment where the cumulative region brings together dense networks of corporates, investors, and industry specialists across sectors, including fintech, health, climate technology, and enterprise software. The programme will take place during a16z Tech Week, allowing participating companies to engage with a concentrated schedule of events and meetings while building a clearer understanding of how the US market operates from the East Coast.
Later in the year, the focus shifts west with another one of our visits to Silicon Valley, where exposure to investors, operators, and product-led companies continues to shape how founders think about ambition, speed, and global scale.
Singapore, which has been a key location for our international programmes, will follow soon after. It provides a gateway into Southeast Asia, offering a highly structured and internationally connected innovation environment that is often the first entry point for companies exploring expansion across the region.
The final programme of the year will explore engagement in Hong Kong and mainland China, offering carefully curated exposure to one of the world’s most commercially significant and complex innovation environments. The focus will be on building credible partnerships and gaining informed insight into a market where preparation, sector fit, and trusted local connections are essential.
Strengthening international partnerships and networks
The programmes also reflect a broader shift in how international engagement is delivered. Techscaler is increasingly working with a global network of mentors, government partners, investors, and ecosystem organisations who bring deep local insight into each market. This collaboration allows founders to engage with ecosystem partners from the outset, reducing the uncertainty that often surrounds early market entry and engagement.
Equally important is the growing community of international programme alumni. Previous participants are encouraged to share knowledge, introductions, and practical lessons with upcoming cohorts. The result is a growing body of experience within the ecosystem itself, where international expansion becomes less of an isolated step and more of a shared learning process.
Planning the next stage of growth
For existing Techscaler members, the publication of the 2026 calendar offers an opportunity to begin planning early and assess which markets align with their commercial roadmap. For founders who are not yet part of the programme, joining Techscaler provides access to the mentorship, preparation, and ecosystem support that underpin these international pathways.
Global markets are complex and competitive. The goal of Techscaler’s international programmes is to ensure that when Scottish companies enter those markets, they do so with proper preparation and the networks that turn opportunity into lasting commercial growth.
For Techscaler members already planning international expansion, preparation begins now. Founders interested in future programmes can join Techscaler by signing up here to become a member for free.
