Successful applicants will benefit from an intensive 9-12 month, three phase programme with bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist throughout.

Get ready: A two-day, in-person preparation workshop to build knowledge and understanding of the market and opportunities, including cultural aspects, how to do business, protecting Intellectual Property, and support to better articulate your value proposition.

Visit the market: Explore the innovation opportunities first-hand through pre-arranged matchmaking events, meetings with key contacts, research organisations and potential collaborators and partners.

Exploit the opportunity: An in-person exploitation workshop and one-to-one bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist to help you follow-up and maximise the opportunities identified through the programme.

Depending on your business, there are two routes for you to benefit from this opportunity:

1. A Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP – run by Innovate UK) for companies with fewer than 250 employees working on AI in telecoms, non-terrestrial networks or telecoms cyber security; or
2. A trade mission (run by the Department for Business & Trade) – further information will be provided here when available.

This page focuses on the GBIP opportunity. To apply for this GBIP, you must be:

• a UK-based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and scale globally
• a company with fewer than 250 employees
• the CEO, founder, or senior decision maker in the business
• able to participate in all workshops and complete all activities

Businesses that have been on a previous GBIP (in the same market and/or technology area) will need to demonstrate they have exploited the previous opportunity to be considered and how this programme will add significant additional benefit. Preference may be given to businesses that have not participated previously.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, a business can only take part in two GBIPs in any rolling 12-month period (measured by the date of the Get Ready Workshop).

Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. This includes making reasonable adjustments, for people who have a disability or a long-term condition and face barriers applying to us.

You can contact us at any time to ask for guidance.

We recommend you contact us at least 15 working days before this GBIP’s closing date to allow us to put the most suitable support in place. The support we can provide may be limited if you contact us close to the application deadline.

You can contact Innovate UK by email (support@iuk.ukri.org) or call 0300 321 4357. Our phone lines are open from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

India is one of the world’s largest markets, with a population of 1.4 billion people and a GDP of $4 trillion. It is the fastest-growing major economy, with a growth rate of 6-7% per year. India’s telecoms market is worth over $35bn, making it one of the largest globally.

In October 2025, the UK and Indian Governments launched the Connectivity and Information Centre (CIC) to jointly support the development of advanced connectivity technologies from cutting-edge research through to market deployment. The initiative will create new commercial opportunities by enabling industry partners to innovate, test and scale products.

As part of the CIC, the UK and Indian Governments plan to issue funding calls for collaborative R&D between companies from each country. This GBIP will be an opportunity to form the partnerships with Indian companies that will be needed to bid for this R&D funding.

Following the official market visit, participants will have the option to stay on for India Mobile Congress (7-10 October) – India’s largest telecoms event and an excellent opportunity to explore new partnerships.

With over 1 billion internet users and government programmes, including BharatNet and Digital India, as well as the India-UK Connectivity & Innovation Centre, now is a timely opportunity for UK high-growth and scale-up businesses to explore working with potential partners in India.

We are looking for UK high-growth and scale-up businesses operating in telecoms who are shaping the technological and commercial parameters for advanced connectivity technologies, and are ready to collaborate internationally, in the following areas:

• Artificial Intelligence – advanced AI tools to optimise networks, improve efficiency, and unlock new services
• Non-Terrestrial Networks – developing satellite and airborne systems to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity, including to rural and remote areas
• Cyber Security – strengthening network security, to make communication systems more resilient and more reliable for businesses and consumers

Innovate UK and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) believe the UK private sector has a competitive advantage and can add the most value in the above areas.

• Build market knowledge and intelligence
• Develop new business partnerships, develop RD&I collaborations, and identify partners for bilateral funding calls
• Introductions to senior figures and influential contacts
• Raise your profile and stimulate new business opportunities and ideas
• Improve your value proposition, hone your skills, and grow in confidence to tackle global markets
• Connect with peers, expand your network, and learn from like-minded, ambitious businesses

• Applicant briefing – Thursday 9 July at 15:00: click here to register for a place
• Application deadline – Monday 10 August 2026 at 10:00
• Application outcome – Friday 21 August 2026
• Get ready workshop – Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 September 2026
• Market visit – Monday 28 September to Wednesday 7 October 2026
• India Mobile Congress – Wednesday 7 to Saturday 10 October 2026 (optional to attend after the market visit)
• Exploit the opportunity workshop – Thursday 14 January 2027

Please note: These dates are subject to change.

• Introductory briefing with the British High Commission
• Visit to research and technology organisations
• Focused B2B matchmaking events and tailored meetings
• High quality networking opportunities
• Option to participate in Indian Mobile Congress (Wednesday 7 – Saturday 10 October 2026)

Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation and in-market travel.

If you choose to attend the Mobile Congress conference, your conference fees, accommodation and return flight home will be covered by the programme.

Innovate UK will also provide guidance for any reasonable adjustments required to ensure full and equitable participation in the programme. Only one representative from each company will be funded and the same person is required to participate in all parts of the programme.

On acceptance to the programme, a commitment fee of £1000 will be obtained from each participant. This will be refunded on completion of the full activities (Get ready workshop, Visit, Exploit the opportunity workshop, and active engagement with an innovation and growth specialist) and agreed work plan.

Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all of the commitment fee.

“The GBIP was extremely well organised and provided an excellent introduction to India’s urban innovation landscape. The combination of site visits, presentations and networking sessions offered valuable insight into market dynamics and urban development priorities. The coordination and guidance provided by Nathan were first-rate, their professionalism, energy and local facilitation made a real difference to the success of the visit.” – Kevin Prescott, Hodos Media

“One of the most significant outcomes of the GBIP was the opportunity to connect with a broad network of stakeholders, including industry leaders, research institutions and government representatives. While it is often difficult to reach key decision-makers in heritage conservation, especially at the government level in a country as diverse as India, the GBIP facilitated meaningful introductions and dialogues that would have been nearly impossible to achieve independently. These connections opened the door to potential collaborations and pilot projects that can extend our impact and innovation globally.” – Roxana Montazerian, Roxid

“The programme was exceptionally well curated and delivered with clear strategic intent. The schedule was intensive and fully packed, yet every conversation, introduction and pitching opportunity felt purposeful and energising. What made the experience particularly inspiring was the quality of engagement. From the Embassy to innovation leaders and investors, each interaction deepened our understanding of how coordinated ecosystems accelerate real-world deployment. The visibility provided also sparked genuine curiosity, leading to meaningful conversations” – Mabel Chu, The Wpark