Empowering UK SMEs
Where knowledge meets opportunity, The Enterprise Gateway will give every participant the tools, connections, and confidence to move their business forward. As part of Farnborough International Airshow’s ambition to support growing UK businesses, The Enterprise Gateway will be run alongside to the established Business Connections Exchange programme to provide businesses with end-to-end support, from practical, hands-on business guidance, to buyer matchmaking and securing targeted meetings. Participants will be able to unlock access to both exclusive business development opportunities.
The Enterprise Gateway drives supply chain development for meaningful business connections. Taking place at the heart of the Farnborough International Airshow, this three-day, expert-led feature is where SMEs meet innovation and growth opportunities.
Designed with SMEs in mind, The Enterprise Gateway is a dynamic platform to learn, connect, and collaborate on the biggest challenges shaping business today, from navigating procurement systems and funding innovation, to tackling regulation, security, and exports.
Unlock a curated programme of:
- Keynotes
- Workshops
- Mentoring
- Live pitching sessions
Participants will also gain direct access to industry experts, policymakers, and investors, turning insight into action. Aligning with the UK Government’s Plan for Change and FIA’s mission to drive international prosperity, this feature empowers global businesses to build stronger supply chains, secure new opportunities, and accelerate sustainable growth.
| TUESDAY 21 JULY | WEDNESDAY 22 JULY | THURSDAY 23 JULY |
|---|---|---|
| Bridging UK Aerospace & Defence SMEs to Global Opportunity: International Perspectives on Supply Chain Growth |
Commercial & legal workshop | Built Smart, Built Safe: AI & Secure-by-Design for Modern Business |
| The Backbone of Capability: Understanding Aerospace & Defence Procurement Systems |
Fit for Funding: A Workshop on Investment Readiness | Mission-Driven Innovation: Turning Technology into Defence Capability |
| SMEs & Primes: Breaking Barriers, Building Capability | Pitching for Impact: How to Win Over Buyers, Investors and Partners |
Accessing Defence & National Security Frameworks: A Guide for SMEs |
| Ask the Experts – Networking Session | Ask the Experts – Networking Session | Ask the Experts – Networking Session |
| Meet the customer: Challenges, requirements, use cases from the user’s perspective – A Reverse Dragons’ Den for Defence Innovation |
Scaling for Export: What SMEs need to know about certification, compliance, and procurement expectations in key markets. |
Navigating Complex Risk: Insurance for High-Tech, High-Stake Sectors |
| From Opportunity to Submission: How to Write Bids That Actually Win |
Launch Pad Pitching Sessions | Launch Pad Pitching Sessions |
Register for The Enterprise Gateway here.
ADS members are entitled to 10% discount, reach out to [email protected] to learn more.
Please note, all Business Connections Exchange and The Enterprise Gateway participants must hold a valid FIA2026 ticket on the day of attendance.
