Global Incubator Programme: India (Hyderabad) - Urban Systems, Cohort 4

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.

The Global Incubator Programme operates on a competitive basis and businesses selected against the criteria listed in this application are required to actively participate in all three stages. The three stages of the Programme are as follows:

Prepare

A preparation workshop delivered to the entire cohort in the UK. You will be allocated an Innovate UK innovation and growth specialist 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 T-Hub to undertake intensive Customer Discovery work. 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

Work with your innovation and growth specialist to continue to exploit the programme, building on all the connections, knowledge, and expertise gained.  You will be in a much better position with the necessary understanding and networks to accelerate your global growth and scaling journey.

• Getting ready for the market: Work with an Innovate UK Innovation & Growth Specialist to develop a Strategic Action Plan for the Programme.
• Workspace: Flexible workspace that can scale with company
• Masterclasses, workshops and panel speakers: Online group learning insight sessions to assist in all aspects of India business formation and scaleup.
• Connections and Access: Gain access to the largest urban systems complex in the world with curated network access via T-Hub’s team.
• Mentoring: Receive country-specific mentoring from trusted experts in the Urban Systems
• Innovation community: Participate in a vibrant community of Urban Systems entrepreneurs and industry
• Pitching opportunities: Access to investor, corporate and strategic partner networks in the India during the Programme and at a Final Showcase event in Hyderabad in March 2026.
• Market visits: Two intensive market visits to Hyderabad are planned as part of this initiative in October 2025 and March 2026.

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.

Why Hyderabad?

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.

This Programme is aimed at innovative Urban Systems companies that have:

• A novel / innovative solution to challenge areas that cities are facing in their transition to a just and sustainable net zero.
• A strong leadership team ready to dedicate time in Hyderabad at the T-Hub Innovation Ecosystem to build relationships with advisors, investors, champions and decision makers.
• A willingness to adapt and openness to incorporate the feedback and guidance provided by experts in our network.
• An initial India value proposition and a hypothesis about how to reduce cost, drive quality and increase revenue in the India Urban Systems sector market.

Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, 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 after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fees.

To learn more about the Programme, including hearing how this has worked for previous participants, register for the applicant briefing event on Monday 30th June 2025 at 10am.

Key Dates:

• Closing date for applications: Friday 25^th July 2025 at 5pm (BST)
• Shortlist Interviews: 2^nd – 4^th September 2025
• Successful Applicants notified: Friday 5^th September 2025
• Market Visit: Immersion Week: 21^st to 31^st October 2025 (20^th Oct – 1^st Nov with travel)
• Incubation Programme (Virtual): October 2025 to March 2026
• Market Visit: Showcase Week: 16^th to 27^th March 2026 (15^th – 28^th March with travel)