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- Tasks: Join a global programme to innovate urban systems and tackle sustainability challenges.
- Company: Innovate UK partners with T-Hub, India's largest innovation hub for startups.
- Benefits: Fully funded support, flexible workspace, mentoring, and access to investor networks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on urban sustainability while building global connections.
- Qualifications: Innovative companies with traction in the UK and a commitment to growth.
- Other info: Commitment fee of £2,000 refunded upon completion; immersive market visits planned.
Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme is an acceleration programme for innovative companies to work with world-leading incubators abroad. We are currently accepting applications for up to 10 innovative companies in the Urban Systems sector to join our programme delivered in partnership with T-Hub Innovation Campus and ecosystem based in Hyderabad.
We would welcome applications from innovative companies that are developing solutions to challenge areas that cities are facing in their transition to a just and sustainable net zero. These could include:
- Products and services that tackle the electrification challenge in areas such as transport, heating & cooling, and grid management.
- Clean technologies that address sustainable resource management across the water and waste sectors.
- Solutions for driving uptake of net zero citizen engagement and sustainable behaviour change.
- Systems such as data or sensing that may help underpin them.
T-Hub leads India’s pioneering innovation ecosystem and is the world’s largest innovation hub. Awarded as India’s best incubator and national technology business incubator, T-Hub has provided over 3000 national and international startups with access to cutting-edge technology, talent, mentors, customers, corporates, investors, and government agencies. The innovation ecosystem is forging national and cross-border partnerships with leading accelerators, educational institutes, and funding networks.
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.
Required
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 assist you on your strategic action plan for the programme.
- Pursue: This 4-6 month stage of the programme involves working with T-Hub to undertake intensive customer discovery work, including market visits and regular virtual sessions with the incubator team, mentors, and experts.
- Exploit: Work with your innovation and growth specialist to continue to exploit the programme, building on all the connections, knowledge, and expertise gained.
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 scale-up.
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.
Pitching opportunities: Access to investor, corporate and strategic partner networks in 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, including:
- 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 25th July 2025 at 5pm (BST)
- Shortlist Interviews: 2nd – 4th September 2025
- Successful Applicants notified: Friday 5th September 2025
- Market Visit: Immersion Week: 21st to 31st October 2025 (20th Oct – 1st Nov with travel)
- Incubation Programme (Virtual): October 2025 to March 2026
- Market Visit: Showcase Week: 16th to 27th March 2026 (15th – 28th March with travel)
For more information about the programme or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact Dr Dilruk Yahathugoda: dilruk.yahathugoda@iukbg.ukri.org
Global Incubator Programme: India (Hyderabad) - Urban Systems, Cohort 4 employer: Innovate UK ICURe
Contact Detail:
Innovate UK ICURe Recruiting Team
dilruk.yahathugoda@iukbg.ukri.org
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Incubator Programme: India (Hyderabad) - Urban Systems, Cohort 4
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Urban Systems sector and the specific challenges cities face in transitioning to net zero. Understanding these issues will help you articulate how your innovative solutions can address them during discussions with mentors and potential partners.
✨Tip Number 2
Network actively within the Urban Systems community, especially with those who have previously participated in similar programmes. Their insights can provide valuable guidance on what to expect and how to make the most of the opportunities available.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your business effectively. Think about how to present your value proposition clearly and compellingly, as this will be crucial during the demo day and other pitching opportunities throughout the programme.
✨Tip Number 4
Be open to feedback and willing to adapt your approach based on the insights you gain from mentors and industry experts. This flexibility can significantly enhance your chances of success in the programme and beyond.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Incubator Programme: India (Hyderabad) - Urban Systems, Cohort 4
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Programme: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the Global Incubator Programme and its objectives. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges in urban systems that the programme aims to address, as well as the expectations for participating companies.
Tailor Your Application: Craft your application to highlight how your innovative solutions align with the goals of the programme. Clearly articulate your value proposition and how your business can contribute to sustainable urban development in India.
Showcase Your Team's Commitment: Emphasise the strength and dedication of your leadership team in your application. Mention their willingness to engage with mentors and adapt based on feedback, as this is crucial for success in the programme.
Prepare for Interviews: If shortlisted, be ready to discuss your application in detail during the interview process. Prepare to explain your strategic action plan and how you intend to leverage the resources and networks provided by the programme.
How to prepare for a job interview at Innovate UK ICURe
✨Understand the Programme's Goals
Familiarise yourself with the objectives of the Global Incubator Programme. Be prepared to discuss how your innovative solutions align with the challenges cities face in achieving net zero and sustainable urban systems.
✨Showcase Your Traction
Highlight any existing traction or sales your company has achieved in the UK. This will demonstrate your readiness to scale globally and your commitment to the programme's goals.
✨Prepare for Customer Discovery
Be ready to discuss your approach to customer discovery and how you plan to validate your product-market fit in India. This is crucial for the 'Pursue' stage of the programme.
✨Engage with Mentors and Experts
Express your willingness to learn from mentors and adapt based on their feedback. Show that you value collaboration and are open to incorporating insights from industry experts into your strategy.
