01
Business networking
Structured introductions across councils, chapters and sector forums.
Programmes
Programmes and services
Services across the five pillars, plus fifteen annual global programmes.
ImageA working programme session in progress. Real participants, mid-activity.assets/images/index.jpg
P1 · Pillar 1
Business Growth
Support for businesses at every stage, from first structure to international enterprise.
02
International partnerships
Joint ventures and long-term arrangements with counterparts abroad.
03
Market entry support
Testing whether a target market is viable before you spend on it.
04
Trade missions
Outbound and inbound delegations built around participants' stated objectives.
05
Business matchmaking
Counterparts matched on what you are looking for, not on who paid for placement.
06
Export and import assistance
Documentation guidance, and referral to the authorised body in each market.
07
Government policy support
Engagement with public bodies on the rules that affect members.
08
Procurement opportunities
Visibility of public and corporate procurement across markets.
09
Franchise development
Structuring and taking a franchise across borders.
10
Licensing opportunities
Licensing arrangements between members and with partner organisations.
P2 · Pillar 2
Innovation and Technology
Driving adoption and applied innovation across industries — judged on what it costs and what it returns.
01
AI adoption
Practical adoption led by members who have implemented it, not by vendors.
02
Digital transformation
Structured programmes for businesses modernising their operations.
03
Industry 4.0
Automation, connected manufacturing and industrial data.
04
Smart cities
Urban technology and the government-industry partnerships that deliver it.
05
Deep technology
Research-led technology reaching commercial application.
06
Blockchain
Applications with a demonstrable use case.
07
Robotics
Automation across manufacturing, logistics and services.
08
Cyber security
Practical security for organisations without a large security function.
09
Climate technology
Technology addressing emissions, energy and resource use.
10
Health technology
Technology in clinical and health service settings.
11
Agriculture innovation
Agri-technology, food systems and rural enterprise.
12
Future mobility
Transport, logistics and movement technology.
The Council establishes Innovation Labs in multiple countries, connecting start-ups, corporations and research institutions in one place.
P3 · Pillar 3
Education and Talent
Developing the workforce of tomorrow, and connecting academia with industry.
01
Executive education
Programmes for senior leaders across the membership.
02
Industry certification
Recognised certification developed with industry members.
03
Future skills
The capabilities organisations say they cannot currently hire.
04
AI training
Practical AI capability for non-specialist teams.
05
Entrepreneurship programmes
Structured support for people starting businesses.
06
University partnerships
Joint programmes between university and industry members.
07
Internship network
Placements across member organisations, in multiple countries.
08
Corporate training
Programmes delivered into member organisations.
09
Leadership development
Developing leaders at chapter, council and organisational level.
10
Innovation bootcamps
Intensive problem-led programmes with corporate partners.
11
Startup incubation
Structured incubation for early-stage members.
P4 · Pillar 4
Investment and Capital
Creating funding routes so that investment follows innovation.
01
Angel investors
A network of individual investors across the Council's markets.
02
Venture capital
Introductions to funds active in a member's sector and stage.
03
Family offices
Access to family office capital through investor members.
04
Corporate innovation funds
Corporate venture arms seeking start-up partnerships.
05
Government grants
Guidance on public funding available in each market.
06
Startup acceleration
Structured acceleration with investor exposure.
07
Investor readiness
Preparing founders for the questions investors actually ask.
08
Pitch events
Regular pitch sessions run by chapters and the Startup Council.
09
Investment summits
The annual Investment Forum and country roadshows.
10
Mergers and acquisitions
Support for members buying, selling or merging across borders.
P5 · Pillar 5
Global Expansion
Helping businesses scale across borders, with the practical detail that decides whether it works.
01
Country entry programmes
Structured entry into a specific market, run with the local chapter.
02
Legal and compliance guidance
Orientation on the requirements of each market. Not a substitute for local counsel.
03
International distribution
Identifying and assessing distributors and agents.
04
Joint ventures
Structuring cross-border partnerships that survive a change of personnel.
05
Manufacturing partnerships
Production partners in the Council's manufacturing markets.
06
International offices
Practical guidance on establishing a presence abroad.
07
Global branding
Positioning a brand across markets with different expectations.
08
Cross-border marketing
Marketing that works in the destination market, not a translation of the home one.
09
Localization support
Adapting product, service and documentation for each market.
10
International talent exchange
Moving people between member organisations and markets.
Fifteen annual global programmes
Run each year across the councils and country chapters.
Business Growth
Global Business Summit
The Council's flagship gathering for trade, partnership and market entry.
Business Growth
Global Startup Summit
Founders, investors and accelerators across the Council's markets.
Innovation and Technology
Global AI Summit
Artificial intelligence adoption, judged on outcomes rather than announcements.
Investment and Capital
Investment Forum
Investors and capital-seeking businesses, with structured matchmaking.
Education and Talent
Future Education Summit
Universities and industry on skills, curriculum and employability.
Innovation and Technology
Innovation Awards
Recognition judged against criteria published before nominations open.
Membership
Join the Council
Applications are free to submit and are assessed by the Membership Committee. Fees are payable only if your application is approved.
Partnership
Work with CIBET
Chambers, institutions, associations, corporates and public bodies can partner with the Council on programmes, events and delegations.