Global Springboard Programme

About the Programme

The Global Springboard Programme – India Component (GSP India) is supported by the UK Government and delivered by T-Hub Foundation, India’s premier innovation hub. The programme is designed to help UK university startups in the fields of Sustainability (Energy, Climate, Environment, Circular Economy) and Industry 4.0 (Robotics, Big Data, AI, IoT, ML, Advanced Manufacturing) to successfully enter and scale in the Indian market.

India’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem, strong policy frameworks, and increasing demand for sustainable and digital-first solutions provide a unique opportunity for startups to test, validate, and scale their technologies. GSP India will serves as a catalyst — fostering high-value connections, providing deep insights, and enabling startups to build strategic blueprints for their India entry.

The programme acts as a guiding light for startups, illuminating pathways to success as they embark on their journey to establish a foothold in India. Through a blend of tailored assistance and collaboration with stakeholders, this programme endeavours to empower startups to not only enter but thrive in India’s dynamic market environment.

Why India?

World’s fastest-growing economy with a £2.9T+ GDP and booming innovation ecosystem

Large-scale demand for clean energy, digital, and Industry 4.0 solutions

Strong policy push for sustainability, EVs, AI, and advanced manufacturing

Strategic partnerships between the UK & India fostering innovation & trade

Benefits

Mentorship

Dedicated mentors for sector insights and India market entry guidance

Knowledge Building

Deep understanding of India’s ecosystem, regulatory environment, business model adaptation, and investor expectations.

Customisation

Tailored engagement plans based on each startup’s needs

Market Access

Curated connects with Indian corporates, investors, and government agencies

Visibility

Showcase at high-impact Demo Day with media exposure

India Roadmap

Market entry roadmap and strategic blueprint for localisation, partnerships, and growth in India

Follow-Through

Post-immersion support

Mentorship

Dedicated mentors for sector insights and India market entry guidance

Knowledge Building

Deep understanding of India’s ecosystem, regulatory environment, business model adaptation, and investor expectations.

Customisation

Tailored engagement plans based on each startup’s needs

Market Access

Curated connects with Indian corporates, investors, and government agencies

Visibility

Showcase at high-impact Demo Day with media exposure

India Roadmap

Market entry roadmap and strategic blueprint for localisation, partnerships, and growth in India

Follow-Through

Post-immersion support

Programme Structure

Outreach & Selection (Sept 2025-Oct 2025)

Open call for applications
Jury evaluations & virtual pitch sessions
Selection of 4 UK university startups

Orientation webinars on Indian ecosystem, regulations, thematic sectors, and culture
1:1 needs assessment with each startup
Tailored engagement plans & stakeholder mapping
Sector & India-focused mentor pairing
Workshops on business model adaptation, investor readiness, and legal/IP
Virtual connects with Indian corporates, investors, and partners
Potential engagement in December at the Kenya Innovation Week (To be confirmed)

Virtual Incubation & Mentorship (Nov 2025-Jan 2026)

India Immersion, Demo Day (Feb 2026-Mar 2026)

Immersion week in India with site visits to corporates, R&D centres, and manufacturing units
Investor meetings with VCs, CVCs, and angel networks
Demo Day showcases to ecosystem stakeholders with media coverage
Follow-up mentorship for partnership negotiations
Finalisation of mentor approved market entry roadmaps
Submission of comprehensive final reports to Stakeholders.

Supported by UK Government and Delivered by T-Hub

T-Hub is India’s leading international incubation platform with:

Expertise in running 20+ international market access programmes with the UK, Israel, Australia, USA, and Southeast Asia

Deep corporate connections with 600+ corporates and 200+ mentors

Proven track record of enabling 2,300+ startups, who have raised £1.5B in funding

The T-Bridge platform, dedicated to international startup incubation and soft-landing support

For startups, this means

Direct introductions to decision-makers in India’s largest corporates and investors

Tailored mentorship on localisation, regulations, and market strategy

Visibility and credibility through UK Government -backed international programme branding

A smooth landing into India’s complex but high-growth ecosystem

Potential exposure to East Africa Market

While the India component is the current focus, the Global Springboard Programme also envisions potential exposure to East Africa market through a small intervention that will allow the startups to engage with relevant stakeholders there but also contribute to the strengthening of the East African Innovation Ecosystem through their engagements (to be confirmed).

Applications open on 25 September 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your startup global with the support of UK Government and T-Hub.

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What sectors are eligible? Startups working in?

· Sustainability (Energy, Climate, Environment, Circular Economy)
· Industry 4.0 (AI, IoT, Robotics, Big Data, Machine Learning, Advanced Manufacturing)

What support will startups receive?

• Orientation webinars on India’s ecosystem, policy, and culture.
• Tailored mentorship from sector and India market experts.
• Workshops on business model adaptation, legal/IP, and investor readiness.
• Curated connects with Indian corporates, investors, and government stakeholders.
• Immersion week in India with site visits and a high-impact Demo Day.
• Post-immersion support for partnerships, deal progression, and roadmap creation.

What are the programme dates?

· Applications open: 25th September 2025 - 31st October 2025

· Startup Pitches & Jury Evaluation: 01st Nov 2025 - 07th Nov 2025

· Final selection: 07th Nov 2025

· Virtual preparation & mentorship: Nov 2025 – Feb 2026

· India Immersion & Demo Day: Feb 2025 – Mar 2026

· Post-immersion support: Till 31 March 2026

Will participation include a programme fee?

No. The programme is funded by UK Government and delivered by T-Hub. Startups will not be charged programme fees.

Will travel and accommodation be covered?

The programme covers To-and-fro flights (UK - Hyderabad - UK), visas, accommodation including food, and local transport during the India immersion phase.

Do startups retain IP and equity?

Yes. The programme does not take equity or IP ownership. Startups fully retain their intellectual property and business control.

Can startups also access other markets?

While GSP India is the current focus, selected startups may also gain exposure to African markets (e.g., through East Africa interventions), creating opportunities for multi-market scaling. (To Be Confirmed)