GLOBAL INCUBATOR PROGRAMME APPLICATION FORM
OCEAN SCALEUP ACCELERATOR - CANADA
This is the full application form for Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme (GIP) Ocean Scaleup Accelerator for Canada. The GIP brings together a cohort of up to 8 innovative high growth and scaling businesses in the ocean sector building long-term relationships and foundations to accelerate future market growth in Canada.
This is a three-stage programme, including preparation, incubation, market visits and subsequent exploitation of the programme. By applying for a place onto this programme, businesses commit to all three phases and to working with our partner in Canada COVE and also with an Innovate UK Innovation and Growth Specialist who will provide additional support.
To complement the application, a separate company pitch-deck should be uploaded to your online submission.
Closing date for full application: Sunday 10th November 2024 midnight.
Please contact enquiries8@innovateukedge.ukri.org should you require any additional information or support with your application.
To gain a better understanding of the programme please register to watch the virtual briefing event HERE
Participating in the Programme
Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme Ocean Scaleup Accelerator for Canada, will comprise of representatives from innovative UK businesses that are looking to grow and scale in Canada.
Business representatives will be provided with a structured programme consisting of three phases:
Stage 1 – Prepare & Participate: Incubation (from January 2025)
Stage 2 – Pursue: Market Visits (1st - 8th February 2025 and 4th - 13th June 2025)
Stage 3 – Exploit: Work with COVE and your Innovate UK Innovation and Growth Specialist to build on the programme (July 2025 – October 2025)
The Global Incubator Programme operates on a competitive basis and businesses selected against the criteria listed in this application are required to actively participate in all four stages.
Each phase is made up of distinct activities. Successful applicants will be asked to produce a Strategic Development Plan for the programme and will be allocated an Innovate UK Innovation Growth Specialist who will provide support in UK as well as an India based mentor who will provide in-market support during the incubation period.
The lead applicant should be the person who will take part in the programme. By submitting an application to the Global Incubator Programme you are agreeing to take part in all elements of the programme and commit the necessary time (circa 15 hours per week) to complete your customer discovery in Canada.
Innovate UK will cover the training an incubation costs offered by this programme (conditions apply) as well as the flight and accommodation costs for the Participate market visits in February and June 2025. Companies must cover staff time and any travel and accommodation costs outside of the Participate market visit itineraries.
Participating companies will be asked to provide a £2,000 refundable deposit on acceptance to the programme. This will be returned on successful completion of the programme.
Innovate UK requires participants to maximise the opportunity that this Programme offers and reserves the right to remove any participants that are not fulfilling the Programme requirements.
By submitting an application to the Global Incubator Programme you are agreeing to take part in all elements of the programme. The applicant should be the person who will take part in the programme.
Eligibility & Selection
Recruitment of businesses into the Global Incubator Programme will be in three stages:
First Stage Selection - Application and Suitability Criteria
This application form will be used for the selection of businesses onto the programme and will be managed by the Innovate UK Business Growth Delivery Manager on behalf of Innovate UK. To participate in this Global Incubator Programme your business must be established in the UK. If your business is not registered in the UK, your application will be rejected.
The Global Incubator Programme is designed to support SMEs to grow and scale. Only SMEs according to the European definition are eligible to apply though this could include early stage, micro and mature SMEs, and there are no firm guidelines on turnover or employee number requirements. However, applicants will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient resources available to fully participate in the Programme.
The following criteria will be used to shortlist the applicants at the first stage:
- Programme fit: Must be a highly innovative company and fit with the Global Incubator Programme focus.
- Ambition: Must show ambition for growth and how participating in the programme can help them to achieve this.
- Product market fit: The product has the potential to fit with the ecosystem and market of the partner country.
- Capability: Must have sufficient expertise and resources to exploit the opportunities from the programme
- Level of innovation impact: Given the competitive markets of the Global Incubator Programme, the company should offer a strong product or service which has a positive impact on climate change.
Second Stage Selection – Panel Interviews
A panel comprising a Lead Specialist from Innovate UK, the relevant Innovate UK Innovation Lead(s), the Global Incubator Programme Manager and a representative from the Indian based partner incubator will shortlist the applicants and conduct short interviews with businesses. Further details will be provided after first stage process completed.
Third Stage - Financial Checks
Innovate UK will undertake financial background checks on the businesses (or directors if company is less than 3 years old) to ensure the business is viable and does not have any outstanding CCJs.
There are a limited number of places available on each Global Incubator Programme and only businesses that have passed these three stages, and have scored highly, will be offered a place on the programme.
Companies who have taken part in a previous Global Incubator Programme are not eligible to participate in any new programmes unless by exception where clear additional benefit and impact can be demonstrated through the application process. These applications should be treated as exceptional. Only one participant per company will be eligible for a funded place on a programme – second and subsequent delegates are able to apply to attend but would need to pay their own expenses. It is possible for multiple representatives from the same company to take part in the programme but we would only fund one representative at a time.
Subsidy Control
The Innovate UK Global Incubator Programme is funded in line with the UK’s obligations and commitments to Subsidy Control.
The Innovate UK Global Incubator Programme is available to businesses with up to 250 employees with no turnover limit (in Northern Ireland a business with fewer than 250 employees, a turnover of less than €50 million, or a balance sheet total of less than €43 million).
An individual business can receive up to a maximum amount of £344,600 (€200,00 in Northern Ireland) over a rolling 3-year period. The limit of £344,600 relates purely to the support that a business receives through Innovate UK and is not related to what was previously de minimis support or similar types of support provided by others.
