Global Incubator Programme: USA (New York) - Advanced Energy and Sustainability Innovations

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

During the 6-month programme, the Urban Future Lab will support companies as they undertake intensive Customer Discovery work. A typical programme will see a visit to the market at the beginning of the 6 months, providing the opportunity to explore hypotheses around 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, in-market mentors, and industry experts, to do a deep dive into understanding what it takes to be successful in accessing the market. At the end of the 6 months, companies will undertake a second sponsored visit to the market, culminating in a demo day to showcase the achievements of the cohort, and to continue 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.
• Market Analysis: Guided support for the 6-month intensive US customer discovery process.
• Workspace: Flexible workspace that can scale with company needs.
• Masterclasses, workshops and panel speakers: Online group learning insight sessions to assist in all aspects of US business formation and scaleup.
• Connections and Access: Gain access to world class researchers and talent at NYU, and key connections within New York State and beyond via the Urban Future Lab team.
• Mentoring: Receive country-specific mentoring from trusted industry experts.
• Innovation community: Participate in a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
• Pitching opportunities: Access to investor, corporate and strategic partner networks in the US during the Programme and at a Final Showcase event in New York in March 2026.
• Market visits: Two intensive market visits to New York are planned as part of this initiative in September 2025 and March 2026.

New York remains one of the most ambitious and supportive environments for energy and sustainability innovation in the United States. As a global hub for finance, policy leadership, and startup activity, New York offers unparalleled access to demonstration sites, public-private partnerships, and commercialization pathways. Both the City and State continue to deploy clean technologies at scale; from electrified transportation and building decarbonization pilots to major investments in offshore wind and grid modernization.

New York City and State are actively building a robust ecosystem where international climate-focused companies can pilot, scale, and thrive. This momentum reflects a broader national trend: across the country, more than 20 states remain committed to energy innovation and climate action and are driving forward incentives, policy, and infrastructure investments. These regional leaders are defining the next chapter of climate progress in the U.S.

For global innovators, New York is more than an entry point. It is a launchpad full of opportunities to grow, pilot, and scale your company. The opportunities include:

• 10th largest economy in the world
• Global centre of financial services
• USA’s third-busiest port
• Large manufacturing and agriculture sectors
• Close proximity to demand centre on the US East Coast, including 20 million New York residents
• Most aggressive zero-emissions electricity target in the USA (100% by 2040)

We would welcome applications from innovative companies who could be developing technologies across a broad range of use cases including (but not limited to):

• Next-gen energy storage (e.g., thermal, long-duration, mechanical, hydrogen, and hybrid systems)
• Geothermal and hydropower innovations
• Distributed energy resources (DERs)
• AI/ML for energy forecasting, optimization, and fault detection
• Grid reliability solutions
• Grid modernization & transmission technologies
• Advanced buildings (e.g., decarbonization and electrification)
• Sustainable mobility and urban transportation solutions
• Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)
• Low-carbon industrial processes (e.g., process heat)
• Maritime and ocean-tech solutions
• Resilience-as-a-service platforms (e.g., critical facility backup, microgrid resilience)
• Agritech
• Climate Finance

This Programme is aimed at Advanced Energy companies that have:

• A novel / innovative solution with some traction (such as climate impact data or reference customers).
• A strong leadership team ready to dedicate time in New York at Urban Future Lab to build relationships with advisors, investors, potential customers and decision makers.
• A willingness to adapt and openness to incorporate the feedback and guidance provided by experts in our network.
• An initial US value proposition and a hypothesis about how to enter the US 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 Wednesday 18^th June 2025 at 4pm.

Key Dates:

• Applicant briefing: Wednesday 18^th June 2025 at 4pm (GMT)
• Closing date for applications: 11th July 2025 at 5pm (GMT)
• Shortlist Interviews: 28^th July to 1^st August 2025
• Successful Applicants notified: Tuesday 5^th August 2025
• Market Visit: Immersion Week: 15^th – 19^th September 2025 (7th – 13^th September with travel)
• Incubation Programme (Virtual): September 2025 to March 2026
• Market Visit: Showcase Week: 9^th – 13^th March 2026 (8^th – 14^th March with travel)