Frequently Asked Questions

No programme fee at either stage.

Stage 1 is entirely free and online.

For Stage 2, for the Guangdong visit in September 2026, NICA covers flights, airport transfers, and accommodation, as well as conference passes, business matching, and workshops.

Companies are responsible for their own meals and personal expenses during the trip.

For the inward visit by GDSIA in the fall, companies are welcome to participate in person, but must pay for their travel to Newcastle.

The two-stage approach is designed to maximise the value of the programme for both participating companies and Chinese partners.

Stage 1 is open to all eligible UK healthy ageing companies, providing an opportunity to understand the Chinese market, assess market readiness and join the UK-China Healthy Ageing Network. Even companies not selected for Stage 2 will benefit from market insights and be well positioned for future China-related opportunities.

Stage 2 is designed for companies that are already market-ready and able to engage in meaningful commercial discussions in Guangdong. As this stage includes tailored business matchmaking, pre-arranged meetings and a fully supported in-market visit, participation is limited to a small cohort to ensure each company receives high-quality, personalised support and that meetings are carefully matched to the interests of both UK companies and Chinese organisations.

Completing Stage 1 is not simply an application requirement for Stage 2; it is an important part of the preparation process.

Any UK-registered company with a product or service relevant to healthy ageing, longevity or the silver economy – at any stage of development. No prior China experience required. Stage 1 is designed to help you understand whether China is a market worth pursuing and to build the knowledge and connections to get there.

Companies that have completed at least one Stage 1 activity and have a product or service already live in at least one market (UK or international). Pre-launch companies are not eligible for Stage 2 at this time.

If you are not yet in market, Stage 1 is the right starting point and completing it now positions you well for future programmes as you grow.

Significant. All Stage 1 participants join the UK-China Healthy Ageing Network will first to hear about new opportunities, market intelligence updates, and future programme cohorts. You also receive the Market Access Intelligence Report (published September 2026) and are welcome to attend the Guangdong delegation inward visit to the UK in autumn / winter 2026 (TBC).

The Guangdong Business Showcase in September 2026 is a structured matchmaking programme. You will attend a local healthy longevity conference as well as have formal meetings with Chinese partners: companies, health systems, investors, and government bodies identified specifically for you based on your product and objectives.

We build IP guidance into the programme from the start. Before travel, you will attend a dedicated session covering IP registration in China, Trusted Research principles, data sovereignty, and what to share – and what not to share – in partner meetings.

NICA does not share company IP with Chinese partners without your explicit consent. We also encourage companies to take independent legal advice before travelling.

A short diagnostic built into the Stage 1 registration form. It asks five questions about your product maturity, IP, regulatory awareness, organisational capacity and existing China connections and gives us an score with a simple rating (Early Explorer, China Curious, or Market Ready).

It is a guide, not a gate. All scores are welcome at Stage 1. But it gives us a clear picture of where you are and what to focus on, and it helps NICA tailor the briefing content to the cohort.

The relationship with GDSIA developed over years of genuine engagement. There is a five-year MOU signed in June 2025 that reflects that depth of trust.

GDSIA approached NICA because of our track record in healthy ageing innovation and our ability to connect Chinese partners with credible, market-ready UK companies.

Below some options that would need to be carefully explored:

Co-funder: contributing financially to expand the programme, fund additional places, or support a follow-on phase.

Host or venue partner: providing access to your facilities or campus in Guangdong as part of the showcase.

Matchmaking partner: being introduced to selected UK companies whose products are relevant to your customers or patients.

Knowledge partner: contributing market intelligence or sector expertise to the Market Access Intelligence Report.

Yes. While this programme is anchored in Guangdong, broader engagement is welcome where it adds value. We would manage any broader engagement carefully to complement the core Guangdong focus. But there is genuine appetite to think about what a longer-term multi-city programme could look like.