West Midlands innovators gear up for India Energy Week

The West Midlands is at the heart of the green industrial revolution in the UK. This week, a delegation from the region is joining business leaders, government officials and innovators from around the world at India Energy Week (11-14 February). This forms the start of a 12-day UK-India trade mission, covering Delihi, Mumbai and Pune.

Connected Places Catapult is part of the UK Pavillion at India Energy Week, alongside Energy Systems Catapult, Scottish Development International, and the British High Commission in India. Together these organisations will be showcasing the value of the UK as a trade and innovation partner for India.

The West Midlands has a strong economic focus with key clusters including smart energy systems, electric vehicles and excellence in clean tech, and with assets including Tyseley Energy Park – the UK’s first low and zero carbon fuel refuelling station powering green growth. CleanTech is the West Midlands’ fastest-growing sector, with 5,000 ambitious, cutting-edge businesses employing more than 93,000 people.

The companies being showcased as part of the delegation are on the DIATOMIC India Accelerator programme, which has so far provided them with over 600 hours of business support. This will be their second market visit to India in the last six months. In November 2024, the group visited Tata Motors, Tata Power and the Automotive Research Association of India, as well as discussions at IIT-Delhi. They also engaged with organisations including the British Trade Office Pune, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India, the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, and the Auto Cluster Development and Research Institute.

The goal of the 6-month DIATOMIC India Accelerator Programme is to enable West Midlands innovators to deploy their technology in India, through technology trials, accelerating their route to commercialising their innovation, leading to job creation and economic activity in both India and the West Midlands.

Their presence at India Energy Week will give them the opportunity to meet with clean tech leaders and showcase their solutions. The team already has over 60 business meetings lined up during their visit.

Find out more about the cohort.

Diatomic Cohort Brochure

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“There is enormous potential to build on the already strong ties between India and the UK as both countries seek to support the next generation of green technologies.

“The early impact of the DIATOMIC India accelerator, which so far has facilitated over 300 business connections in India and unlocked trial and commercial opportunities for participating businesses, demonstrates the strong willingness for both collaboration and trade between the two nations. This is something we at Connected Places Catapult are excited to continue working on to stimulate regional UK growth through international expansion, collaboration and exports.”

Elena Williams, Director of Government and Global Engagement at Connected Places Catapult

Indian clean tech businesses looking for support to enter the UK market in the West Midlands can register their interest via the DIATOMIC International Clean Tech Hub.