Innovate UK will fund and organise group flights, group accommodation and group airport transfer fees for successful applicants, who will also benefit from an intensive 9 to 12 months, three phased programme and bespoke support from an Innovation and Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director throughout.
Note: This opportunity is fully funded support and not monetary funding.
Innovate UK is inviting ambitious companies to participate in the Global Incubator Programme. We are currently accepting applications for up to 10 innovative companies in the Clean Energy sector to join our programme delivered in partnership with the T-Hub innovation campus and ecosystem based in Hyderabad.
The Global Incubator Programme, organised by Innovate UK, will include two week-long visits to India – one in November 2026 and one in March 2027. Each business is supported by an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to help maximise the potential of being part of the programme and beyond. This initiative will be delivered physically and will include virtual activities.
The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy identifies Clean Energy Industries as one of the frontier sectors with the greatest potential for economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and global impact. It recognises the UK’s strengths in clean energy innovation, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and systems integration position it to meet growing global demand for affordable, resilient, and low-carbon energy solutions that accelerate the transition to sustainable future economies that support energy security, decarbonisation, industrial productivity, and climate resilience.
A particular priority is the deployment of scalable solutions that improve energy system efficiency, increase renewable energy integration, strengthen grid resilience, and support the decarbonisation of industry, transport, and the built environment. These innovations are critical to delivering long-term economic growth while addressing climate and energy security challenges.
This programme has been designed to accelerate that ambition, supporting innovative UK businesses to explore commercial opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and validate their solutions within the rapidly expanding Indian clean energy ecosystem.
We are currently inviting applications from innovative UK companies operating in the Clean Energy sector to join our programme delivered in partnership with T-Hub in India. We welcome applications from companies developing technologies and services that improve energy sustainability, affordability, resilience, and productivity, including but not limited to:
Energy Systems
- Grid tech and digital solutions for increased renewable energy deployment
- Energy technologies supporting the EV transition
- Low-cost renewable energy generation and solar technologies including off grid power supply and back-up power
- Renewable energy storage including LDES
Industrial Decarbonisation & Alternative Fuels
- Hydrogen, Ammonia and Low-Carbon Fuels
- Energy efficiency solutions including digital solutions
- Low cost low emission heat technologies
We particularly welcome innovations with the potential to address shared UK-India priorities, enabling scalable deployment across domestic and international markets while supporting the transition to a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous energy future.
Applicant briefing: Tuesday 21 July 2026 at 10am (BST) – click here to register for a place.
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To apply, you must:
- Be a UK-based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and internationalise
- Be a company with fewer than 250 employees
- Have a focus on Clean Energy
Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.
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In order to be eligible for the Global Incubator Programme, you must be a small or medium sized company based in the UK. We are looking for businesses with the ambition and commitment to scale globally. The programme best suits businesses that already have some traction and sales in the UK that are now looking to innovate their products and services through building global partnerships and collaborations to accelerate their growth and scaling journey. A senior person from the company needs to commit to being involved in all stages of the programme.
The three stages of the programme are as follows:
Prepare
You will be allocated an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to work with in the UK who will work with you on your strategic action plan for the programme. You will receive an overview of the innovation and sector landscape of the country’s market, a full briefing on the programme and working with the incubator, and support to better present your business and the value proposition.
Pursue
This 4-6 month stage of the programme is about working with the incubator. A typical programme will see a visit to the market at the beginning, providing the opportunity to consider technology and market fit, preliminary customer validation and an introduction to ecosystem players. This will be followed by regular (weekly or fortnightly) virtual sessions with the incubator team, mentors, and experts, to do a deep dive into understanding what it takes to be successful in accessing the market. The final part is a second visit to the market, including a demo day to showcase the achievements of the cohort, continuing to raise the profile and make connections for the businesses involved.
Exploit
You will work with your Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to continue to exploit the programme with the necessary understanding and networks to accelerate your global growth and scaling journey. The team will also be here to support you to build on all the connections, knowledge, and expertise gained. At the end of the programme, an alumni event will be held to celebrate successes and further develop your progress.
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Funded Market Access: Group Flights; Group accommodation; Group in-market travel; and conference fees are all covered, removing a significant financial barrier to international market entry.
Two In-Market Visits to India: Two week-long visits in November 2026 and March 2027, providing direct access to one of the world’s leading Clean Energy ecosystems.
Dedicated Expert Support: Each business is paired with an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director who provides bespoke, one-to-one strategic support throughout the full 9–12-month programme.
Access to T-hub Ecosystem: Direct connection to a globally recognised clean energy innovation hub, including in-market programming, virtual programmes, 1:1 mentor engagements and T-hub team check-ins.
Market Validation and Customer Discovery: Structured opportunities to test technology and market fit, conduct preliminary customer validation, and gain a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the Indian market.
Investor and Partner Connectivity: Introductions to ecosystem players, mentors and potential investors.
Demo Day Profile: A dedicated showcase opportunity to present achievements to key stakeholders, raising the company’s profile within the Indian Clean Energy community.
Long-Term Alumni Network: Ongoing support and an alumni event at the programme’s conclusion to sustain momentum and continue building connections beyond the programme itself.
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Innovate UK will fund and organise group flights, group accommodation and group airport transfer fees for successful applicants. One representative from each company will be funded.
On acceptance of the offer, a commitment fee of £2,000 will be obtained from each delegate. It will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed work plan. Non-completion or breach of conduct after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fees.
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India represents one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy markets, with ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment, grid expansion, energy access, and industrial decarbonisation. India aims to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with renewable capacity already crossing 190+ GW and net-zero targeted by 2070.
Rapid urbanisation and rising energy demand are driving significant investment in clean infrastructure, with over USD 15 billion in clean energy FDI attracted in recent years. The complementary strengths of the UK and India provide a strong foundation for partnerships that can accelerate innovation, commercialisation, and market growth in both countries.
T-Hub leads India’s pioneering innovation ecosystem and is the world’s largest startup incubator, spanning 5.72 lakh sq. ft. in Hyderabad. Awarded India’s Best Incubator (2022) by DST, Govt. of India, and the Nation’s Best Technology Business Incubator (2023) by DPIIT, Govt. of India.
T-Hub has provided 3,000+ national and international startups with access to 290+ mentors, 200+ investors, and 200+ corporates, alongside cutting-edge technology, talent, and government agencies. The innovation ecosystem has forged 700+ partnerships with leading accelerators, educational institutes, and funding networks across 40+ countries.
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To learn more about the Programme, including hearing how this has worked for previous participants, register for the Applicant Briefing event on Tuesday 21 July 2026 at 10AM (BST).
Key Dates:
- Applicant briefing: Tuesday 21 July 2026 at 10am (BST) – click here to register for a place.
- Closing date for applications: Sunday 16 August 2026 at 5pm (BST)
- Shortlist Interviews: Tuesday 15 September 2026 – Thursday 17 September 2026
- Successful Applicants notified:Friday 18 September 2026
- Virtual programme kick-off: Tuesday 6 October 2026
- Market Visit 1: In-Person kick off (Hyderabad): Monday 2 November 2026 – Friday 13 November 2026 (31 Oct – 14 Nov with travel)
- Market Visit 2: In-Person kick off (Hyderabad): Monday 15 March 2027 – Friday 26 March 2027 (13 – 27 with travel)
- Incubation Programme (Virtual): Monday 16 November 2026 – Friday 12 March 2027
