*This challenge call has now closed.*

A new clean tech challenge call, backed by UK government, has launched to help build new and innovative UK-India partnerships, which accelerate energy system decarbonisation in India.

While India is committed to Net Zero by 2070, it is the third-largest carbon emitter globally, and its CO2 emissions are projected to quadruple by 2050. Transport is one of the fastest growing emissions sectors, with Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs) and cars contributing 60% of total road transport emissions.

ITES (Innovating for Transport and Energy Systems), led by Energy Systems Catapult and the Indian Institute of Science, and supported by Innovate UK and The British High Commission in India, has now opened applications for its second challenge call following the success of its first 19-strong cohort earlier this year.

ITES challenge call benefits

Aimed at clean tech start-ups and SMEs in the UK who are addressing transport and energy system decarbonisation challenges, successful applicants in this call can expect:

• Incubation support to help with commercial capabilities and positioning
• Small amounts of grant funding
• Partner matching with Indian entities
• Real world testing, pilot, and demonstration projects
• Networking and relationship building

Who should apply?

The Catapult and the Indian Institute of Science are particularly interested in hearing from clean tech innovators with solutions in:

• Hydrogen*
• Battery recycling
• Non-domestic building energy management
• Grid stability
• Consumer engagement and outreach
• Maritime & port systems
• Public transportation & planning
• Battery swapping
• Charging solutions and propositions
• Energy storage and delivery
• Energy systems flexibility management
• EV fleet management
• Microgrids
• Micro-mobility
• Rail
• Shared mobility
• Smart charging

Innovators with a solution outside of the above areas are also encouraged to apply if their solution also addresses transport and energy system decarbonisation. Energy Systems Catapult will assess each applicant’s fit for the Indian market and tailor support to each business. Support will be delivered via a combination of UK and India-based experts.

Andrew Stokes, UK lead for ITES, said: “Forging close international partnerships is crucial if we’re to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and 2070 in the UK and India respectively.

“This challenge call offers innovative startups an opportunity to receive tailored incubation support and for more developed SMEs to test and demonstrate their innovations in a safe environment with partners working towards a common goal.

“We want to hear from all SME innovators – no matter their stage or size – if they think their solutions could solve some of the toughest decarbonisation challenges in India.”

*This challenge call has now closed.*

*Innovators in the hydrogen sector will benefit from ITES’ ongoing collaboration with Xynteo’s Energy Leap programme, which will give them opportunities to engage with relevant events, innovators and stakeholders in India. Energy Leap, a clean hydrogen technology and business accelerator founded by Xynteo, focuses on driving innovation and market creation for clean hydrogen in India and globally, supporting the wider hydrogen economy, energy security, economic development and decarbonisation. The programme aims to support start-ups on technology commercialisation, market creation and unlocking capital, bringing together stakeholders such as industry, investors, technology and think tanks. The accelerator will catalyse new technologies and start-ups across the hydrogen value chain, and commercialise them through business modelling, operational, technology and investment support, and market access.

Webinar Recording: Supporting UK innovators to assess and enter the Indian market