Challenge Call

Scale up your clean transport and energy solutions in India with a major new challenge call

Want Government-backed support to access one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets?

Innovating for Transport and Energy Systems has launched a new opportunity for UK SMEs, led by Energy System Catapult and the Indian Institute of Science, with Social Alpha.

Apply now

Limited places are available, so we encourage you to apply as soon as you are able here

Apply now

A major new challenge call will help UK SMEs fast track-to-market solutions that tackle energy system and transport decarbonisation challenges in India and the UK.
Innovating for Transport and Energy Systems (ITES) has launched the pioneering programme of SME support, backed by UK and India governments and led by renowned innovation accelerators Energy Systems Catapult, the Indian Institute of Science, and Social Alpha.

Key benefits

The challenge call offers unique support for startups and SMEs that are developing technologies and solutions in clean transport and energy systems, including:

Expert incubation to boost your commercial capabilities in India
Exclusive masterclasses that offer market knowledge and advantage
Small amounts of seed grant funding
Tailored pitch development to attract investors
Unique access to market stakeholders and relationship building opportunities
Strategic matching with Indian entities
Real-world testing, pilot, and demonstration projects in India
Bespoke and exclusive resources, including market research

Key Information

Why apply?

As part of the ITES programme, SMEs will join a major initiative to drive UK-India innovation, providing unrivalled access to the Indian market and major stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to give your innovation a safe landing in India. Taking part will make it quicker, cheaper, and easier to test and launch your product or service in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for clean transport and energy solutions.

Who should apply?

The programme is for UK SMEs that are developing solutions that support the decarbonisation of transport and the wider energy system. Innovative businesses of all sizes are invited to apply. See below for specific technology and solution areas.

What is on offer?

Our experts will assess your organisation’s fit for the Indian market and, together with you, will help define the next steps to bring you success at your pace – from engagement with local partners to research collaborations and pilot projects, supported by our in-country resources and partners. Innovators may benefit from ITES’ ongoing collaboration with Social Alpha, which will offer businesses exclusive opportunities to engage with relevant events, innovators and stakeholders in India.

Webinar

Interested in taking part in challenge call? Attend our webinar with the Department for Business and Trade on Thursday 6 June to learn more.

Register now

Launching SME success stories

About ITES
ITES is the flagship initiative for UK clean transport and energy innovators interested in the Indian market. It helps SMEs test, fund, and grow their transport decarbonisation solutions in India through incubation, joint research, pilots and unique UK-India partnerships.

ITES innovators
ITES currently supports 26 high-potential UK innovators, each making significant strides in clean energy systems and transport technologies.

Learn more in our latest SME Brochure.

Expert support
Led by Energy Systems Catapult and the Indian Institute for Science, ITES was commissioned by Innovate UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the British High Commission in India in 2022.

Programmes like ITES are critical in ensuring UK innovators can play a crucial role in the clean energy boom, supporting sustainable growth for both our nations.

Will Tope, CEO, LiNa Energy – ITES SME, Cohort 1

ITES fosters an interactive ecosystem of SMEs that can connect ideas and solutions across different technologies and services – that’s why this programme is so important.

Rajat Rakkhit, CEO, Nexmu ITES SME, Cohort 1

The Challenge

As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India represents a developing challenge for the Net Zero transition. While India is committed to Net Zero by 2070 it is currently the third-largest carbon emitter globally, with transport a major source of emissions. In India, Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs) and cars contribute 60% of total road transport emissions, with freight and passenger volumes expected to grow by 6% annually until 2030, triple the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average. Faced with this challenge, India has ambitious plans to be a world-leader in the clean transport market.

The ITES initiative aims to find and fast track accessible, affordable, and commercially viable clean transport solutions that support India’s decarbonisation ambition. Innovations will also support India’s power grid and energy infrastructure to successfully anticipate and manage new low carbon technologies and services.

Who should apply?

If you’re an innovator operating in any of the areas set out below, we’d like to hear from you. Innovators with a solution outside of these focus areas but still addressing transport and energy system decarbonisation are also encouraged to apply.