First Stage Selection - application and suitability criteria
This application form will be used for the recruitment 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 businesses to grow and scale. Businesses with up to 250 employees (in Northern Ireland with fewer than 250 employees, a turnover of less than €50 million, or a balance sheet total of less than €43 million) are eligible to apply through this could include early-stage, micro and mature businesses. There are no firm guidelines on turnover requirements.
The following criteria will be used to shortlist the applicants at the first stage:
1. Programme fit: Must be a highly innovative company and fit with the Global Incubation Programme focus
2. Ambition: Must show ambition for growth and how participating in the programme can help them to achieve this.
3. Product market fit: The product has the potential to fit with the ecosystem and market of the partner country.
4. Capability: Must have sufficient expertise and resources to exploit the opportunities from the programme
5. 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, including economic and societal benefit.
Second Stage Selection – panel interviews
A panel comprising a Lead Adviser from the Innovate UK Business Growth Partner team, the relevant Innovate UK Innovation Lead(s) and the Global Incubator Programme Manager will shortlist the applicants and conduct short interviews with businesses. Further details will be provided after the first stage process is completed.
Third Stage - financial checks
Innovate UK will undertake financial background checks on the businesses (or directors if the company is less than 3 years old) to ensure the business is viable and does not have any outstanding County Court Judgements (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.
Should travel restrictions permit, 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.
Businesses that have taken part in previous Global Incubator Programmes
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.
Subsidy Control
Businesses with up to 250 employees (249 in Northern Ireland) can receive up to a maximum amount of £344,600 (€200,00 in Northern Ireland) of innovation advisory and support services provided through Innovate UK Business Growth over a rolling 3-year period. The limit of £344,600 relates purely to the support that a business receives through Innovate UK Business Growth and is not related to what was previously de minimis support or similar types of support provided by others.