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Interpreneur report reveals mid-market resilience as tariffs and geopolitical risk reshape global expansion

June 11, 2026

LONDON – Research from Kreston Global’s latest business leader survey reveals mid-market resilience, indicating that global uncertainty and the pace of change are driving different priorities for SMEs wanting to continue their international expansion. This is seen in several metrics, including market selection, technology adoption, and cultural alignment.

The research found the following are among the core attractiveness factors for SMEs looking to expand internationally:

  • Favourable trade agreements (the leading factor, cited by 48% and increasing by 14% since 2024)
  • Favourable tax policies (cited by 39%; increasing by 18% since 2024)
  • Transparent regulation (cited by 36%; increasing by 28% since 2024)

Now in its third iteration, the Interpreneur Report brings mid-market global business trends into sharp focus. It is based on the findings of a survey of 1,100 ‘interpreneurs’ (international entrepreneurs) with revenue from £10 million up to £300 million across 11 countries, who have successfully expanded their business into international markets. The research explores global mobility trends for small to medium-sized businesses, and the strategies and tools business leaders are using to navigate the commercial pressures of global entrepreneurship today.

Overall, the report found that interpreneurs remain optimistic, giving an average score of 8.2/10 for the current climate for international expansion. However, this came with concerns regarding geopolitical instability (45%), increasing tariffs (40%), and changes to regulation and compliance (37%).

Liza Robbins, Chief Executive of Kreston Global, said: “Global conditions have changed dramatically, even in the relatively short time since the launch of our first Interpreneur Report back in 2022. For interpreneurs, the challenges go beyond market instability or complex tax and regulatory regimes and can extend into the very culture of the organisations they have built and nurtured.

 “While the outlook remains broadly positive, the finer details in the data tell a more nuanced story of businesses grappling with the challenges of AI, tariffs, and geopolitical instability. In spite of this, the resilience, drive, and adaptability of interpreneurs have once again been underscored. Through all this, we continue to be an extension of client teams, helping to streamline a complex regulatory landscape to the benefit of the SME market.

Mid-market resilience: Just under six in ten mid-market businesses say tariffs and trade disputes are already reshaping expansion plans

Mid-market resilience seems to be compounding. While confidence is high, interpreneurs acknowledge considerable external pressures:

  • 45% cite geopolitical instability as a top future threat
  • 40% highlight tariff-related cost increases
  • 57% say tariffs and trade disputes have already significantly impacted strategy

Regulatory and tax complexity also remain a major barrier:

  • 37% struggle with regulatory compliance requirements
  • 34% face challenges navigating global tax systems

Making a country attractive for expansion: Favourable trade agreements rank as the top pull factor

  • Favourable trade agreements (48% agree vs. 42% in 2024) overtakes future economic growth prospects (46% agree vs. 43% in 2024)
  • Alignment with long-term growth strategy (43% up from 35%), and access to skills and talent (43% down from 41%) also remained key factors in making

Market growth and technology drive global ambitions: Only 1% of internationally expanding businesses are not using AI

The report identifies market expansion as the top driver, with 59% of businesses citing access to new customers as their primary motivation for entering international markets.

At the same time, digital transformation is now central to global expansion strategy:

  • 52% see advanced technology adoption as a major future opportunity
  • 74% report that AI is already having a significant impact on their international expansion
  • Technology infrastructure and digitalisation (40% agree vs. 34% in 2024) seen as a key pull factor when selecting markets to expand to

Andrew Griggs, Chairman of the Kreston Global Board, and Senior Partner and Head of Global at Kreston Reeves’:

“Countries seeking to attract international business must respond to growing calls for simpler, more transparent regulatory frameworks and competitive tax environments. Without this, they risk losing investment to jurisdictions where it is both easier and more cost-effective to operate.

Successful entrepreneurship depends on a range of factors. In today’s fast-evolving and often unpredictable global landscape, it is no surprise that strong trade relationships and robust technological infrastructure rank highly on the priority list when businesses assess where to invest and grow.”