Landmark UK-India initiative Innovating for Transport and Energy Systems (ITES) has announced its first intake of 19 SMEs to deliver international clean transport solutions.

Backed by Innovate UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and government teams in India, and delivered by Energy Systems Catapult in partnership with the Indian Institute for Science (IISc), ITES will support SMEs to test, fund and fast-track innovations to market that help decarbonise transport in India and the UK.

The 19 SMEs will have access to a range of acceleration support – from start-up mentoring and incubation services, to market research and real-world pilots with Indian businesses that help prove new products on the ground. The programme will also help innovative businesses tackle scalability with bespoke go-to-market support and access to potential clients, funders, and investment.

Paul Jordan, Business Leader – Innovator Support & International at Energy Systems Catapult, said: “It’s a real pleasure to announce such a strong cohort of SMEs to join us at the start of this major innovation initiative between the UK and India. They represent some of the highest-priority innovations needed to tackle transport decarbonisation – from cutting-edge hydrogen, rail, and fleet solutions, to battery storage and management, and other technologies and services that can enable an electric vehicle-ready infrastructure.

“By helping these UK innovators to collaborate, commercialise and trial their solutions in the world’s fifth biggest economy, we hope to both turbocharge decarbonisation efforts and help unleash the economic potential that innovation offers.”

Andrew Stokes, UK lead for ITES, added: “Key to the SME programme is the close partnership we foster between industry, academia and innovators to take tech and ideas further, faster – from prototype to marketplace. Together with our pilot partners, ITES will trial new technologies in India on a bigger scale than we have done before to turn innovations into world-first UK-India solutions.

“We’re looking forward to supporting the start-up success stories that will shape the future transport and energy landscape in India, the UK, and beyond.”

Find out more about Innovating for Transport and Energy Systems (ITES) and how you can get involved here.