UK SBS PS16104 - Connected Cities Mission to India

This contract is for an organisation to act as the Delivery Partner for Innovate UK activities to help young businesses in the smart cities/urban living sector access the Indian market and raise investment there. The aim of the exercise is to find a partner who is able to work effectively with start-ups and SMEs to prepare them to take part successfully in an overseas trade mission, and to maximise the opportunities that such participation will offer. The mission is intended to be run in partnership with UKTI as a hybrid of a standard trade mission and an Innovate UK entrepreneur mission. It will take up to 20 young, innovative UK companies to India to build rapidly their networks, know-how and ambition as they forge new business. Places on the Mission will be competitive and applicants must demonstrate a scalable solution to a complex urban challenge, a strong team, and a fit with the market in India. The balance of the places on the mission will be taken up by larger more established firms who might also be potential clients for the entrepreneurs. Objectives This Connected Cities mission will take up to 20 of the UK’s best young, innovative, high-growth potential companies to overseas markets to help them grow faster. The Mission will achieve this by supporting the SMEs to: • Network with potential customers, partners and investors • Improve their profile through PR coverage • Refine their pitch to potential investors and to suit the target market • Gain insight into what it takes to do business in the target market • Raise their ambition and accelerate their plans This support and experience is hard for young companies to gain. The Mission will also open doors that would be closed to a SME alone. The attraction of a competitive group backed by government helps Missions to engage critical partners in the overseas market. This support will be funded by Innovate UK. As an outcome of the support provided by the Delivery Partner, participating companies will: 1. Understand how to pitch their products/services compellingly to prospective investors and to prospective clients 2. Understand the market conditions of the countries being visited, including public procurement rules 3. Understand the experience of other UK entrepreneurs in entering the markets in question 4. Maintain their enthusiasm for participation from first contact through to participation 5. Be able to meet and develop relationships with the other participating companies prior to the mission There is separately a requirement for organisation and project management of the mission. If the mission is to be delivered in partnership with UKTI, then the Delivery Partner will need to work closely with their delivery partner, Innovision on these aspects, with oversight is from Innovate UK. Criteria for company selection are set in collaboration between Innovate UK and UKTI.