So, your company is gaining traction. You’ve nailed product-market fit, your team is growing, and you’re eyeing international markets. You already know the value of thinking big. Now it’s time to think global - and we think the UK should be your next move.
The UK: Your Gateway to Global Markets
The UK isn’t just a destination market; it’s a global springboard. With over 100 million consumers and Europe’s largest cities reachable within 2.5 hours by train from London, it offers unparalleled connectivity. London itself is home to 60% of European headquarters, making it a hub for international business. For scale-ups looking to service EMEA, the UK provides a strategic base with global reach. And with a strong business time zone overlap, your Toronto team can collaborate with London without the late-night calls.
Familiar Foundations, Global Reach
Canadian founders will find the UK refreshingly familiar - same language, similar legal systems, and a shared business culture. But it also offers something more: a globally connected ecosystem where innovation thrives.
The UK is home to:
- The world’s top fintech cluster1,2
- Europe’s #1 capital raising hub3,4
- Leading centres for AI, cybersecurity, and renewable energy5,6,7
Whether you’re building in tech, health, finance, or creative industries, the UK has the infrastructure and talent to support your growth.
Scale Smarter, Not Harder
Let’s talk numbers. Labour costs in London are 40% lower than San Francisco and 27% lower than Denver. Move outside the capital, and you’ll find world-class talent at half the cost of major US cities. UK salaries are also about a third lower than Sydney’s.
And it’s not just payroll. Customer acquisition costs in the UK and Europe are significantly lower than in the US, about $347 per person per year versus $594.8,9 That means you can scale faster without burning through your runway.
A Tax System That Rewards Commercializing Innovation
The UK’s corporate tax rate starts at 19%, and if you’re commercializing IP, the Patent Box regime can reduce that to an effective 11%. Compared to the complex and often higher US tax landscape, the UK offers a simpler, more innovation-friendly environment. If your international costs are not eligible for the tremendous Canadian R&D incentives, you may be eligible for UK R&D rebates. While not as generous as the Canadian system they have a broader catchment of expenses. You’ll find the UK system refreshingly familiar - it’s built on many of the same principles as Canada’s, making it easy to navigate.
Setting up a company in the UK can take as little as one day and shareholders and directors can be based anywhere in the world. Compare that to a month in the EU, where they may require a resident director and take up to 3-months to establish a legal entity. You'll see why so many Canadian scaleups choose the UK as their gateway for international expansion.
Ready to Go Global?
If you're ready to expand internationally, the UK should be at the top of your list. It’s a market that’s open, efficient, and built for innovation. And with the right partner, you can hit the ground running.
Looking for the right partner? Check out Communitech Outposts.
1 Gulamhuseinwala, Irman and Vikram Kotecha. “UK FinTech On the cutting edge.” EY. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80793540f0b62302693b79/UK_FinTech_-_On_the_cutting_edge_-_Full_Report.pdf.
2 “London: Your Global Fintech Hub.” Grow London. https://www.grow.london/fintech-london.
3 Wickremasinghe, Dineth. “London Markets Update - 1st Edition 2025.” London Stock Exchange Group. February 25, 2025. https://members.lseg.com/spark-insights/6mB3GF36RukPvJSTk4VTYp/london-stock-exchange-update-february-2025.
5“AI Opportunities Action Plan: Government Response,” GOV.UK. January 13, 2025.
6“Cyber security.” UK Government. n.d. https://www.business.gov.uk/invest-in-uk/investment/sectors/cyber-security/#:~:text=A%20global%20leader%20in%20cyber,and%20funding%20for%20collaborative%20R&D.
8 “Tech Nation | the UK Network for Ambitious Tech Entrepreneurs,” Tech Nation. July 3, 2025, https://technation.io/.
9 “TechGrowth Insights – Know What Your Competitors Will Do Next. We Reveal Your Competitor’s Hidden Strategies, Prices, and Plans. For B2B Technology and Telecoms Leaders Who Need to Win,” Tech Nation. n.d. https://techgrowthinsights.com/.
