The Global Incubator Programme is an acceleration programme for innovative SMEs to grow and scale through exploring the potential of global markets.
Apply to take part
Are you ready to scale your business globally?
To successfully scale your business globally you need to understand the requirements of different markets and build the necessary partnerships, collaborations, and networks. The Global Incubator Programme supports cohorts of up to 8 innovative UK SMEs to spend time working with world-leading incubators abroad to accelerate their global growth.
Our structured and intensive programme encompasses three-stages to tackle the challenges that most innovative companies face when entering global markets. The programme provides businesses looking to scale globally with access to world-class mentors and programming, helping to reduce the barriers and the risks.
The programme currently operates with four countries: the USA, Canada, Singapore, and Australia.
Who is the Global Incubator Programme for?
In order to be eligible for the Global Incubator Programme, you must be a small or medium sized company based in the UK. 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. A senior person from the company needs to commit to being involved in all stages of the programme.
The three stages of the programme are as follows:
Prepare
A two-day preparation workshop delivered to the entire cohort in the UK. You will be allocated an Innovate UK EDGE 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
This 4-6 months stage of the programme is about working with the incubator. A typical programme will see a visit to the market at the beginning, providing the opportunity to consider 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, mentors, and experts, to do a deep dive into understanding what it takes to be successful in accessing the market. The final part is a second visit to the market, including a demo day to showcase the achievements of the cohort, continuing to raise the profile and make connections for the businesses involved.
Exploit
Work with your innovation & growth specialist to continue to exploit the programme, building on all the connections, knowledge, and expertise gained. You should now be in a much better position with the necessary understanding and networks to accelerate your global growth and scaling journey.
Selection for the incubation programme
The Global Incubator Programme operates on a competitive basis and businesses selected are required to actively participate in all three stages.
What is the cost of Global Incubator Programme?
The cost to participate in the programme is the time commitment of a senior person from the business. The commitment would include at least two one-week visits, two-three hours of weekly or fortnightly virtual programming and working with mentors for 4-6 months, and time working with an Innovate UK EDGE innovation & growth specialist.
Innovate UK will fund and organise group flights, group accommodation and group in-market travel for successful applicants. One senior representative from each company will be funded and they should be available to participate in all stages. Additional colleagues can participate in the virtual programming where relevant.
On acceptance to the programme a commitment fee of £1000 will be obtained from each participant, which will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed action plan. Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fee.
Apply for Global Incubator Programme
India (Hyderabad) - Urban Systems
Why India? 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.
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Applications close: 20th October 2023
Shortlist Interviews: 13th - 17th November 2023
Cohort confirmed: 24th November 2023
Programme commences: February 2024
Online Application Form can be found here
Register for the programme briefing on 28th September from 11am - 12pm here
Canada - Ocean Scaleup Accelerator with the centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE) 2024
Why Canada? Canada has become a world leader in engineering products and services suited to extreme harsh ocean environments, marine remote sensing technologies, and ocean observing systems.
Atlantic Canada contributes more than half of Canada’s $36bn ocean economy and is home to a strong cluster of ocean industries and to ground breaking ocean research. This region is quickly becoming a globally recognised hub of oceans expertise with the potential to be a significant contributor to a number of Global Value Chains associated with the oceans sector.
Our tailored 6-month incubation programme is delivered in partnership with COVE, a global innovation centre for the ocean technology sector located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Applications close: 5th November 2023
Shortlist Interviews: 22nd - 24th November 2023
Companies notified: By 1st December 2023
Programme commences (virtually): 2nd January 2024
First Market Visit: 27th January - 3rd February 2024
Second Market Visit: 29th May - 7th June 2024
Continued support from Innovate UK EDGE: July - October 2024
Online Application Form can be found here
Register for the programme briefing on 28th September from 2-3pm here
Canada - Advanced Manufacturing
Why Canada? Canada is ranked among the top four startup ecosystems globally and is the number one destination for entrepreneurs.
MaRS is North America’s largest urban innovation hub. A registered non-profit, MaRS supports high-growth start-ups and scale-ups tackling key issues in health, cleantech, and other sectors. In addition, MaRS convenes all members of the tech ecosystem to drive breakthrough discoveries, grow the economy and make an impact by solving real problems for real people.
From high-growth start-ups to scale-ups, MaRS tech founders grow their companies and create meaningful innovation. MaRS works with 1,400 companies across Canada, turning breakthrough ideas into products and services with global impact. In 2020 alone, MaRS supported ventures raised $2.4 billion collectively, while generating $1.5 billion in revenue.
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Applications close: 4th August 2023
Shortlist Interviews: 21st - 24th August 2023
First Market Visit: 23rd - 29th September 2023
Second Market Visit: 27th January - 2nd February 2024
Online Application Form can be found here
Example application form can be found here
New York, USA - Clean Growth
Why New York? New York’s commitment to clean tech and renewable energy is driving tech manufacturing and reinvigorating the state’s economy – while establishing New York State as a business destination for industry innovators looking to access one of the world’s largest markets.
Making it in New York City provides limitless opportunities and offers an innovation ecosystem like no other. New York has ambitious goals to address challenges in energy, water, waste, infrastructure, transportation, and resiliency, including a goal of 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040.
To meet such goals of 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, the state is targeting offshore wind, increased energy storage and greater energy efficiency. This supplements New York’s ongoing efforts to develop and deploy solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable products and systems via established university-industry collaborations and state initiatives supported by the state’s Clean Energy Fund and Green Bank.
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Applications close: 22nd September 2023
Shortlist Interviews: 16th - 20th October 2023
Programme commences: January 2024
Online Application Form can be found here
Recording of the applicant briefing can be found here
Gateway to Australia - Agri-Tech
Why Australia? The adoption of technology presents a significant opportunity for Australian agriculture to improve profitability, with digital technologies alone predicted to increase GVP by 25% to over $20billion. Australia’s agriculture industry is on track to be a $100 billion industry by 2030, creating a perfect launchpad for UK businesses to connect, collaborate and scale in a diverse and rapidly growing market.
GROW is a global, impact focussed Agrifood Tech accelerator co-founded by leading VC, AgFunder. Their world-class programming, mentor and investor network, and strategic partnerships bring direct pathways that help businesses scale globally, including Australia.
Farmers2Founders help build Agrifood tech and innovation solutions that deliver commercial benefit and industry impact in Australia. They support producers to collaborate with Agrifood tech developers and innovators to fast-track the development, commercialisation and uptake of Agrifood solutions. F2F works with new ventures looking to commercialise their technologies and innovative Agrifood businesses along the value chain looking to create impact.
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Applications close: 4th August 2023
Shortlist Interviews: 21st - 28th August 2023
First Market Visit: 3rd - 17th November 2023
Second Market Visit: 16th February - 1st March 2024
Online Application Form can be found here
Watch the applicant briefing session here
Gateway to Asia via Singapore - AgriFood
Why Asia? The ASEAN region is emerging as a major hub for agrifood and aquaculture innovation and there are significant opportunities for innovative UK businesses to be successful in the areas of advanced agrifood and innovative food solutions.
Asia is expected to be home to 5 billion people by 2050, accounting for 60% of global food consumption. To meet this demand, governments across Southeast Asia are aggressively pursuing strategies to ensure greater food security. This includes active support for agrifood innovators who can help grow the local ecosystem.
GROW is Southeast Asia’s first dedicated agrifood accelerator with an impact focus. Through their fund and accelerator programs GROW works with businesses to supercharge their growth on the global stage. GROW’s portfolio of companies represent industryleading solutions across the agrifood value chain.
GROW is supported by Enterprise Singapore and backed by leading agrifood VC AgFunder. For more information about GROW visit gogrow.co
Applications close on 2nd July 2023
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Shortlist Interviews week commencing 17th July 2023
Incubation programme 28th August 2023 - January 2024
Market visit week commencing 30th October 2023
Online Application Form can be found here
Register for the applicant briefing session on 13th June 2023 at 10 am here
Previous programmes
Toronto Canada - Legal Tech
Why Toronto? Toronto is the legal, financial and economic centre of Canada. The largest law firms known as the 'Seven Sisters' are head quartered there, as are the major banks. It is at the centre of technology innovation generally.
This Programme is delivered in partnership with the Legal Innovation Zone (LIZ) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Toronto, Canada. The LIZ is the world's first, and largest, incubator dedicated to legal technology. They incubate start-up companies from idea through international sales, with a number of successful alumni.
We are looking to support innovative companies who are developing innovative technologies that are helping to transform the legal sector. The technology areas include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Analytics
- Automation
- Contract Management/Analysis
- Legal Research
- Discovery
- Case Management
Applications close on 12th May 2023
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Shortlist Interviews between 30th May to 2nd June 2023
Incubation period: July - November 2023
Online Application Form can be found here
Recording of the briefing event on 18th April 2023 can be found here
Canada - Artificial Intelligence
Why Canada? Canada is ranked among the top five countries for commercial AI-focused ventures and has the most patents per million people among the G7 nations and China. Toronto's start-up ecosystem also hosts the largest concentration of AI-startups, with 273 firms, thanks to Canada's support of foreign-owned multinational corporations
In 2017, Canada released a national AI strategy to attract and retain world-class AI researchers, foster a collaborative AI ecosystem, advance national AI initiatives and understand societal implications of AI.
From this, $93 million was invested in research institutions and AI talent, which has helped make Canada one of the world's leading players in the sector and has led to investments and job creation.
Applications close on 3rd April 2023
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Shortlist Interviews between 4th and 10th May 2023
Market visit #1: 24th - 30th June 2023
Market visit #2: 14th - 20th October 2023
Online Application Form can be found here
Example GIP Application Form (to prepare submissions only) can be found here
Briefing event recording can be found here
Briefing event slides can be found here
Singapore - Advanced Manufacturing
Why Singapore? The Singapore Manufacturing 2030 Vision sets out a 10-year plan to grow the sector by 50%. As the world progresses towards industry 4.0, sectors in advanced manufacturing are growing in importance to help materialize this vision.
Leading firms across industrial sectors such as Shell, Micron, and Merck have chosen Singapore as a strategic manufacturing hub.
Singapore is the world’s 4th largest global exporter of high-tech goods and produces 5 of the world’s top 10 drugs. Singapore is a critical manufacturing base producing a diverse range of medical technology products from implantable pacemakers, to contact lenses and life science instruments for global markets. Virtually every key gadget today has parts created in Singapore. You most likely own a piece of Singapore’s electronics industry, industry, from Seagate’s hard disk drives and HP Inc’s print heads to Energizer’s iconic batteries.
This is a four-stage programme, including preparation workshops, an immersion market visit, incubation (March – July 2023), subsequent exploitation of the programme and a showcase visit.
Applications are now closed.
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Shortlist Interviews on 31st January 2023 & 1st February 2023
Market visit #1 (Immersion) w/c 6th March 2023
Incubation Programme March – July 2023
Market visit #2 (Showcase) Oct 2023 during SWITCH
USA (Houston) - Healthtech
Why Houston? As a hub for medical device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and health research, Houston has more than 1,760 life sciences companies, cutting-edge health care facilities and research institutions. The healthcare and life sciences industries collectively employ 320,500 workers.
The Programme is delivered in partnership with the Texas Medical Centre (TMC), Houston, USA and supported by the Department for International Trade (DIT), as part of the BioBridge agreement.
We would welcome applications from innovative companies who could be developing technologies across a broad range of Healthtech sectors including:
• Clinical Decision Support
• Hospital Efficiency
• Remote Patient Monitoring
• Digital Therapeutics
• Surgical Devices
• ICU Devices
• Outpatient Medical Devices
• AI in Radiology
• Wearables & Devices that enable
Patient Monitoring
• Diagnostic Platforms
• Biomaterials
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Programme Briefing recording here
Applications are now closed.
Shortlist Interviews: 13th – 24th February 2023
Cohort Confirmed: Friday 3rd March 2023
Incubation Period: May to November 2023
Canada (Saskatchewan) - Agritech
This GIP will include two weeklong market visits: one in March 2023 the other in June 2023 with virtual incubation while in the UK between these two visits. The recruited UK cohort will join a cohort of Agri-Tech companies from across Canada who will participate on the same virtual incubation activities as the UK cohort, and attend the same visits in Regina, Saskatchewan. The programme will culminate at Canada’s Farm Show in June 2023.
Why Canada? Saskatchewan is home to a vibrant start-up culture and a strong ecosystem of world-leading agriculture and food companies. It is home to more than 40% of Canada’s cultivated farmland–some of the most productive farmland in the world. There is a strong ecosystem of world-leading Agri-Tech companies, renowned education and research institutions, world-class transportation and logistics infrastructure, and a strong business community.
Applications are welcomed from Innovative UK Agri-Tech companies in the following areas:
- Big data and predictive analytics
- Supply chain, traceability, and sustainability
- Precision agriculture
- Robotics and automation
- Farm management software, sensing, and Internet of Things
- Animal health
Briefing event Tuesday 22 November 2022
Applications are now closed.
Market visit 1 Saturday 18 March – Friday 24 March 2023
Market visit 2 Saturday 17 March – Friday 23 June 2023
Canada (Halifax, Nova Scotia) - Ocean Scaleup Accelerator
Why Canada? Canada has become a world leader in engineering products and services suited to extreme harsh ocean environments, marine remote sensing technologies, and ocean observing systems.
Atlantic Canada contributes more than half of Canada’s $36bn ocean economy and is home to a strong cluster of ocean industries and to ground-breaking ocean research. This region is quickly becoming a globally recognized hub of oceans expertise with the potential to be a significant contributor to a number of Global Value Chains associated with the oceans sector.
Programme Briefing recording here
Applications are now closed.
Programme commences (virtually): January 2023
Market visits:
First market visit: January/February 2023
Second market visit: June 2023
Continued support from Innovate UK EDGE: July - October 2023
Previous Programmes
USA (New York) - Clean Growth
Why USA? The US Government has pledged to cut US greenhouse emissions in half by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050. As a result, the US is scaling up the development and deployment of clean energy technologies to build a new clean energy infrastructure and economy.
New York’s commitment to clean tech and renewable energy is driving tech manufacturing and reinvigorating the state’s economy – while establishing New York State as a business destination for industry innovators looking to access one of the world’s largest markets.
Applicant briefing recording:
Applications closed on 9 September 2022
Gateway to Australia - Agri-Tech
Why Australia? The adoption of technology presents a significant opportunity for Australian agriculture to improve profitability, with digital technologies alone predicted to increase GVP by 25% to over $20billion. Australia’s agriculture industry is on track to be a $100billion industry by 2030, creating a perfect launchpad for UK businesses to connect, collaborate and scale in a diverse and rapidly growing market.
Applications closed on 15th August 2022.
Canada - Advanced Manufacturing Cohort Two
Why Canada? Canada is ranked among the top four start-up ecosystems globally and is the number one destination for entrepreneurs. Innovators working in automation, robotics, IoT, machine learning, and AI are choosing Canada.
From start-ups to scale-ups, MaRS offers a range of services that help tech founders grow their companies and create meaningful innovation. MaRS works with 1,400 companies across Canada, turning breakthrough ideas into products and services with global impact.
Applications are now closed.
Singapore - Agrifood
Applications are now closed.
