Ready to Take Your Business Global? Join The Hague Region’s Global Market Entry Programme!

This year marks the sixth anniversary of the Global Market Entry Programme (GMEP)! Are you an innovative and ambitious entrepreneur ready to take your business across borders to markets like Germany, France, or the UK? The Global Market Entry Program (GMEP) prepares you for a successful international expansion with a nine-month journey designed to turn your global ambitions into tangible results.

This programme supports established start-ups and scale-ups from the Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region that are ready to expand into international markets. Over the course of nine months, participants learn how to strategically prepare for and implement their international market entry. They also gain access to an extensive network of local and international partners. In 2027, GMEP will focus on market entry into France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The programme consists of workshops, coaching sessions and guidance from experienced internationalisation experts. Entrepreneurs also receive tailored support from country specialists, who help them connect with potential customers in their target markets. This enables them to take steps towards international growth more quickly and effectively.

Elisa van Maanen-Gentzsch, Programme Manager: “The strength of the programme lies in its combination of practical guidance, a strong international network and direct access to experts who genuinely help businesses move forward. This enables participants to make meaningful progress towards entering new markets in a relatively short period of time.

 

Over the past five years, several businesses have taken part in the programme, including The Hague-based companies NAÏF, Seepje, Hop&Stork and Buro Brand. With the support of GMEP, they have been able to accelerate their international strategies, from refining their market potential to establishing valuable contacts in their target countries.”

Benefits

• Strategic sessions with internationalization experts.
• Market-specific workshops on cultural, legal, and pitching aspects
• 40+ hours of individual coaching by country experts
• Collaboration opportunities with The Hague University of Applied Sciences for market research.
• Potential participation in a trade mission to your target country.

Programme Timeline

Apply now for the 2027 GMEP cohort

Are you an entrepreneur based in the Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region and interested in joining GMEP in 2027? Applications for the new cohort open on 5 November 2026 via www.gmep.nl.

Places are limited, so make sure to apply in time!