Smart energy innovator missions to India and Thailand
Energy Systems Catapult established Energy Launchpad International in response to export challenges, barriers and needs highlighted by smart energy innovators. The programme combines international experience of running missions with a unique SME incubation service.
We are better placed to enter the export market. We have a better understanding of who and where the market is, and its requirements. This means we can modify our business accordingly to help solve the problems that the country is facing – after all, business is about solving problems. The support has also made us more focused – the business plan and our proposition is more focused.
Helping innovators to capture export opportunities with virtual engagement, incubation support and energy systems expertise
Rapid growth and development in Asia has resulted in huge increases in energy demand and will continue to do so. Many countries and regions are reliant on energy generation from fossil fuels but are embracing renewables in response to climate change and to ensure security of supply. With growing proportions of the generation coming from intermittent renewables, some countries and regions are now looking at how to balance supply and demand. To address this challenge, Energy Systems Catapult’s Energy Launchpad International opened a call to the UK smart energy supply chain and ran virtual missions to India and Thailand for 16 SMEs.
Energy Launchpad International combined their international experience of running missions with their SME incubation service that provides specialist energy systems expertise to provide an end-to-end export programme running in overlapping stages:
- A pre-engagement phase saw the innovators join a series of masterclasses to help them build an export strategy.
- An elongated engagement phase was followed by a wind-down period where innovators were given the tools to continue their strategy after programme close.
BlockDox and Power Transition are just two examples of companies that have benefitted from support provided by the Launchpad. BlockDox, a data science-focused PropTech company solving complex problems using Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things, was accepted into the Thailand cohort and provided with market research and introductions with local organisations, which confirmed no similar products exist in the market. With their compelling value proposition developed on the Energy launchpad Incubator, BlockDox received strong interest from an initial target group of end customers and potential resellers and by the end of the programme had entered into a reseller agreement with a local Thai partner. BlockDox is currently evaluating three pilot project sites, one through the newly appointed local Thai partner and the others directly as a result of the engagement phase of the programme.
Power Transition, a leader in 3rd generation DLT-based Digital Energy Platform design and development, were accepted into the India cohort of the programme. Assessment of Power Transition’s value proposition and an analysis of the market opportunities highlighted the needs of private generators for a secure energy trading platform. Following engagement through the programme, Tata Power Delhi Distribution invited Power Transition into an innovation project piloting the use of their payment gateway within an urban microgrid. The project’s aim is to demonstrate person-to-person trading of rooftop solar photovoltaic and simulate billing and settlement using real-time consumption data and site optimisation of assets. It will identify cost savings and promote greater visibility of transmission losses.
Find out about the other companies provided with tailored support through the programme and their successes in the Energy Launchpad International Impact Report.
The storytelling support was extremely valuable for the whole business, not just the India market. We have woven it into our overall narrative that we use as a company and have improved our pitches as a result. We have commitments from two or three companies, and from the opportunities we want three trials set up in the next 12 months.
UK overseas government feedback was also very positive, with 100% reporting that the programme adds value.
In the next 12 months – with the entry strategy and trial projects, our turnover could increase by 2-3%.