Small Business Focus Day 2026
21 May 2026 | Combined Naval Event (CNE)
A dedicated platform connecting SMEs and start-ups with defence leaders, investors and opportunities across the UK and Europe.
What is the Small Business Focus Day?
The Small Business Focus Day at CNE 2026 is a dedicated, high-impact event designed to connect start-ups and SMEs with the people, knowledge, and opportunities needed to succeed in the defence sector.
With UK defence spending on SMEs set to rise significantly by 2028, this is your opportunity to engage directly with:
- Defence primes
- UK Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- Naval leaders
- Investors and venture capital
- Trade bodies and innovation accelerators
Participation
Uniformed naval and military personnel, and civilian Government representatives, may attend all three days of CNE, including any element of the Small Business Focus Day taking place, free of charge.
Industry trade bodies, Venture Capital and Private Equity partners (including family and private offices), and Accelerator/Incubator representatives will also be invited for the first time to participate in the dedicated Small Business Focus Day on 21st May 2026, free of charge.
The existing CNE industry buyer programme (ie Defence primes) will be extended in 2026 to include participation of up to two existing delegates in the dedicated Small Business Focus Day, and associated activities on 21st May 2026, without additional cost.
For small defence companies who are not already exhibiting or sponsoring CNE 2026, a selected cohort of representatives from Start-Up enterprises and SMEs will be invited to join the CNE Small Business Cohort 2026, and participate in the dedicated Small Business Focus Day on 21st May 2026, for a small fee
Programme Highlights
Selling to Defence
- Understand procurement processes
- Identify key decision-makers
- Align your solution with defence priorities
- Learn how to position your business for success
Selling to Primes
- Engage effectively with major defence contractors
- Discover partnership models and qualification routes
- Match your technology to real programme needs
Securing Investment
- Position your business for defence-focused investors
- Learn what VCs are looking for
- Build relationships that unlock capital
Join the Small Business Cohort
The Small Business Cohort will enjoy a comprehensive package that allows member companies to optimise the opportunity that CNE 2026 provides for collaboration, strategic advice, investment and lead generation.
For Start-ups
You should:
- Be solely UK based
- To unlock access to UK Defence Innovation funding and proposed government funding.
- Fewer than 10 employees
- Be a first-time visitor to CNE
- Have a working prototype, but no enduring contract
- To prioritise organisations who are advanced in their development but have not yet sold to UK Defence.
- Be recommended by innovation incubator (MissionLink), a recognised trade body (eg ADS, SMI, MakeUK), accelerator (DASA, DIANA), or Defence Investment community (ug UK DIN).
You’ll receive:
- One pass to attend CNE Small Business Focus Day on 21st May 2026
- Priority registration for the dedicated SME working group sessions.
- Access to the SME Small Business Showcase – a popup exhibition area located in the Central Networking Zone.
- Option to upgrade to attend the full three days of CNE at a heavily subsidised rate.
Participation fee: £100 per organisation (£100 per delegate)
For SMEs
You should:
- Have a UK facility/office
- A key priority of the SDR is to develop a thriving and resilient industrial base making defence and engine for growth.
- Fewer than 50 employees
- Having not exhibited at CNE
- Have deployed solutions or awarded a UK government contract
- To prioritise organisations who are advanced in their development and able to offer immediate capability.
- Be a member of a recognised trade body (eg ADS, SMI), or recommended by innovation incubator (MissionLink) or accelerator (DASA, DIANA).
You’ll receive:
- Two passes to attend CNE Small Business Focus Day on 21st May 2026
- Priority registration for the dedicated SME working group sessions
- A display position (table and space for roller banner) in the SME Small Business Showcase in the Central Networking Zone.
- Inclusion in a dedicated SME editorial feature published in advance of CNE 2026 that showcases the 2026 Cohort.
- Option to upgrade to attend the full three days of CNE at a heavily subsidised rate.
Participation fee: £500 per organisation (£250 per delegate)
Contacts
