How do green businesses find succes in the volatile North American markets? And is it a faux pas to speak English in France? Watch the SMEBeyond project’s webinars to help your green ambitions cross borders.

For companies looking beyond their home market, knowing where to start can be as challenging as knowing where to go.

Across a series of webinars, the SMEBeyond project brought together local expertise from multiple countries to translate complex market conditions into actionable guidance for European SMEs.

The webinar participants explore how to approach partners, secure funding, navigate support systems, and make use of existing landing structures within:

United Kingdom
Canada
France
Netherlands
United States
European Union
South Baltic

Watch all the SMEBeyond webinars below.

How to enter a new market: United kingdom

The UK webinar has particular focus on the green ecosystem of the Manchester Region, which is characterised by collaboration with universities for R&D and commercialisation. The city of Manchester has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2038, and green initiatives benefit from inclusion in Greater Manchester regional initiatives.

How to enter a new market: Canada

Canadian business culture is more European-aligned than that of the US, but it varies significantly by province. Market entry for green SMEs benefits from careful partner selection and sustained relationship-building.

How to enter a new market: France

Language and structure play a decisive role in France. Speaking French and understanding formal hierarchies significantly improve integration. France offers a dense ecosystem of clusters and support programmes, but these require time and persistence to navigate. Innovation is welcomed, particularly through co-development and collaboration with local institutions.

How to enter a new market: netherlands

Dutch partners prioritise clarity, preparation, and relevance. The business culture is direct and strongly results-oriented, with credibility carrying more weight than formal hierarchy. Matchmaking through innovation platforms and clusters are highlighted as one of the most effective market entry strategies.

How to enter a new market: united states

Success in the USA depends on understanding regulatory frameworks, localising communication, and developing region-specific strategies. Business culture is fast-paced, contractual, and driven by data and clear value propositions.

How to enter a new market: european union

Trust and personal relationships are central to doing business in the EU. Decision-making tends to be slower, and navigating bureaucracy is easier with local partners. Rather than large trade fairs, a gradual approach, starting with small pilot initiatives and building local presence over time, is recommended.

How to engage collaboration: south baltic

The overarching message in this webinar was to not “walk alone”. Extensive free support is available across the region, including temporary office space, startup guidance, and institutional backing.

What is SMeBeyond?

The SMEBeyond project supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the South Baltic region in their journey toward internationalisation and sustainable growth.
Led by Clean, and involving six ICN member clusters, the initiative focuses on equipping SMEs with the tools, connections, and funding insights they need to succeed abroad.
By leveraging ICN’s extensive global network, the project bridges regional innovation with global opportunities — helping local cleantech companies transform ambition into international impact.

Know the markets: Is your cleantech Start-up ready to cross borders?