Programme Overview
The India-UK InnoXchange Programme is a bilateral initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The programme will be implemented on the Indian side by the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi.
The programme has been developed under the India–UK partnership on research and innovation and aims to facilitate the exchange of technology-led startups and promote cross-border entrepreneurship between India and the United Kingdom. It seeks to foster collaboration among startups, incubators, accelerators, universities, research institutions, industry and other innovation ecosystem stakeholders in both countries.
Through structured exchanges, the programme will enable participating startups and incubation professionals to gain exposure to the partner country’s innovation ecosystem, identify potential collaborators, understand international markets and explore opportunities for technology partnerships, joint development, investment and market access.
Objectives of the Programme
The key objectives of the India–UK InnoXchange Programme are to:
- Facilitate bilateral exchange and exposure visits for deep-tech startup founders, innovators and incubation professionals.
- Strengthen knowledge-sharing between the Indian and UK innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
- Enable participating startups to understand the technology, business and regulatory environment of the partner country.
- Promote collaboration among startups, incubators, academia, research institutions, industry and investors.
- Explore opportunities for collaborative research and development, joint product development, technology transfer and business partnerships.
- Support international market access, business-to-business matchmaking and potential investment opportunities for startups.
- Promote the exchange of good practices in incubation management, deep-tech commercialisation, intellectual property management and startup financing.
- Develop sustained institutional and mentorship networks between incubators and innovation ecosystem stakeholders in India and the UK.
Program Structure
The Indian delegation will comprise 10 participants, including innovators, startup founders, deep-tech entrepreneurs, incubation heads and incubation managers.
The delegation will participate in a series of meetings, workshops, institutional visits and networking engagements with incubators, startups, research institutions, Catapult Centres, industries and other ecosystem stakeholders in the United Kingdom.
Priority Sectors
The programme is being implemented through sector-focused annual cycles.
For the first programme cycle, Advanced Manufacturing has been identified as the priority sector, with particular emphasis on:
- Advanced Battery Manufacturing
- Advanced Semiconductors and Electronics Manufacturing
The first Indian delegation is proposed to visit the United Kingdom in September 2026. The visit is expected to include interactions with Catapult Centres, research laboratories, startup and technology centres, deep-tech enterprises, industry representatives and innovation ecosystem stakeholders working in the identified focus areas.
Selection Process
- Applications will be invited from eligible incubators.
- Applicant incubators will nominate their representatives for participation in the programme.
- Each incubator may nominate two to three deep-tech startups supported under DST programmes or incubated by the applicant incubator.
- A preliminary scrutiny and programme-fit assessment of the incubator, its nominated representative and the nominated startups will be undertaken by FITT, IIT Delhi.
- The final selection of incubators, incubation representatives and startups will be undertaken by an Expert Committee constituted by DST.
- Selected participants will undergo due diligence and complete the prescribed onboarding requirements before joining the programme.
Eligibility Criteria
For Incubators to be part of the delegation
- DST-supported and other eligible incubators with at least seven years of experience and a proven track record in technology incubation may apply.
- Preference may be given to incubators that:
- Have supported deep-tech startups.
- Have a well-established incubation team.
- Have managed startup funding or support programmes.
- Have participated in cross-border, bilateral or international programmes.
- Demonstrate strong capabilities in startup mentoring, technology commercialization and ecosystem partnerships.
- The incubator will nominate their representative(s) that:
- Have approximately five to seven years of experience in the startup or incubation ecosystem.
- Have directly worked with, engaged or mentored technology startups.
- Have experience in managing programmes, partnerships or institutional collaborations.
- Be capable of contributing to bilateral knowledge-sharing and ecosystem-development activities.
- Preferably have prior exposure to cross-border, international or soft-landing programmes.
For Startups to be part of the delegation
The nominated startup should meet the following requirements:
- The startup should preferably be operating at Technology Readiness Level 4 to 6.
- The primary focus will be on deep-tech and technology-led startups.
- At least 51% of the equity in the startup must be held by Indian citizens.
- The nominated participant must be a founder or co-founder, be actively involved with the startup and be an Indian citizen.
- The startup must comply with the prevailing age and recognition norms prescribed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
- The startup should be relevant to the priority sector or sub-sector identified for the programme cycle.
- The startup must be nominated by an eligible incubator through the incubator’s application.
- Preference may be given to startups for which participation in the programme can result in meaningful technology, market, research or business engagement with the UK ecosystem.
Application Process
The call for applications will remain open for the period specified in the official announcement. Applications are being accepted only from incubators through the online application link made given below.
The startup must be nominated by an eligible incubator through the incubator’s application.
Apply for the India–UK InnoXchange Programme
Application Link: Click here
Deadline: 17th July 2026
Terms & Conditions
- Participants must hold a valid Indian passport with a minimum validity of six months from the proposed travel dates.
- Selected participants must be available for all mandatory pre-visit, onsite and post-visit activities.
- Selected incubators and startups should be able to contribute meaningfully to bilateral cooperation through workshops, networking, knowledge-sharing and ecosystem-development activities.
- DST, through FITT, IIT Delhi, will support the approved round-trip airfare, visa and medical insurance costs of selected Indian participants.
- The UK counterpart will provide local hospitality during the approved delegation visit, including accommodation, local transportation and meals, in accordance with the programme arrangements.
- Any personal expenses or expenditure incurred beyond the approved duration and scope of the official visit will be borne by the participant.
- Participation will be subject to due diligence, execution of the prescribed undertaking or agreement and compliance with the programme requirements.
- Participants will be required to submit information and reports on the outputs and outcomes arising from their participation.
- The implementation of the programme will be governed by the applicable norms of the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Expenditure, Government of India.
- DST and the implementing agency reserve the right to modify the programme schedule, itinerary or participation requirements, where necessary.
Contact:
Sh. Shardul, Scientist – C (shardul[dot]dst[at]gov[dot]in; 011-26590314)
Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Scientist – F (rajivarc[at]nic[dot]in; 011-26590454)
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