Global Incubator Programme: India - Urban Systems Hyderabad

To apply for this programme, you must:

• Be a UK based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and internationalise.
• Be a business with fewer than 250 employees.
• Be a CEO, founder, or senior decision maker and able to attend and complete all activities.

India is striving to promote and develop core infrastructure elements in large urban areas such as good water and electricity supplies, sanitation, and affordable housing. Over the next 30 years, some 400 million people are expected to move into urban environments across India. This presents major opportunities, which are captured in part by the Government of India’s ‘100 Smart Cities’ mission to prepare cities to cope with the challenges of urban living.

Hyderabad, the capital city of the state of Telangana, has a vision that revolves around creating modern, efficient and sustainable infrastructure. It has successfully implemented a range of initiatives to begin to create a greener urban environment for its citizens. These include:

• Smart City Infrastructure – Investments in cutting-edge technologies focused on intelligent street lighting, and efficient waste management solutions.
• Renewable Energy – Adoption of sustainable energy sources such as solar power generation in residential and commercial buildings.
• Water Management – Implementation of smart water management solutions such as smart water meters, leak detection systems and real-time monitoring of water supply.
• Intelligent Transport Systems – Introduction of smart traffic signals, cycling infrastructure, electric vehicles and promotion of sustainable transport alternatives.

Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation, in-market travel, and conference fees for successful applicants. Innovate UK will also pay for any reasonable adjustments throughout the initiative.

Only one senior representative from each company will be funded. On acceptance to the initiative a commitment fee of £2,000 will be obtained from each delegate, which will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed work plan.

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

• Getting ready for the market: Work with an Innovate UK innovation and business growth specialist to develop a strategic development plan for the programme.
• Desk space: Establish a presence with desk space and back-office services in Hyderabad available throughout the 6-month incubation period.
• Masterclasses, workshops and panel speakers: Online group learning insight sessions to assist in all aspects of India business formation and scaleup. These will be held weekly between 19th May and 13th September.
• Connections: Gain access and introductions to Indian-based customers and partners.
• Mentoring: Receive country-specific mentoring from trusted experts.
• Innovation community: Participate in a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
• Market visits: Two intensive market visits to Hyderabad are planned as part of this initiative in May and September 2025.
• Maximising the opportunity: Work with your Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist to agree further support required to help you exploit the opportunity.

To learn more about the programme, register for the applicant briefing event taking place on the 14th January 2025.

Key programme dates

• Applicant briefing – 14th Jan 2025
• Applications close – 28th Feb 2025
• Get Ready Workshop – 23rd April 2025
• 1st visit to the market: 12th to 16th May 2025
• Online programming – 19th May to 13th Sept 2025
• 2nd visit to market – 15th to 26th Sept 2025

The Global Incubator Programme has a competitive application process where only the best applications will be successful following an evaluation process. All applications must be made online through the Innovate UK Business Growth website and received no later than 28th Feb 2025.

All applicants will be notified by 3rd April 2025.

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

For more information, assistance with your application or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact Dilruk Yahathugoda: Dilruk.yahathugoda@innovateukedge.ukri.org