New Delhi. 22 November 2024.
The DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator team at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Connected Places Catapult, West Midlands Growth Company and the West Midlands Combined Authority, are proudly representing the West Midlands on a business mission to India this week. The delegation visited Pune and Delhi with a group of forward-thinking companies to explore collaborative opportunities and enhance UK-India trade relations.
Leading the Mission: Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), as the leading representative of the region's business community, is at the forefront of this mission. Their ongoing commitment to fostering international business relationships is evident as they work to create stronger ties between the West Midlands and India, two regions renowned for their innovation and technological prowess.
This mission is part of the DIATOMIC India initiative, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and Innovate UK, which has selected seven innovative companies from the West Midlands to participate in this significant trade and innovation mission:
ChangeMaker3D Ltd
DOCK-Y
EVIE Autonomous Group
Faraday Battery Limited
Global Nano Network
Hy-Met Limited
KEW Technology
The Visit: A Week of Insights and Networking
The visit kicked off with the DIATOMIC Business Forum in Pune, featuring a series of B2B meetings organised by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry). Key figures in India’s business and innovation sectors, including Avnish Malhotra, Head of the British Trade Office in Pune, and Kiran Vaidya, Managing Director of Auto Cluster Development and Prashant Girbane, Director General of the Maratha Chamber of Commerce and Industries delivered insightful talks highlighting opportunities for collaboration.
Day 2: Immersive Industry Experiences and Networking
Day 2 offered a packed itinerary of high-impact site visits and networking within India's automotive and innovation sectors. The day began with a tour of the Tata Motors manufacturing facility in Pune, providing valuable insights into their technological advancements. This was followed by a visit to the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), where Deputy Director Makarand Pathak presented on India's leading-edge automotive R&D, and Director Dr Reji Mathai discussed potential collaborations with the DIATOMIC companies. The afternoon concluded at the Ideas to Impacts innovation hub, fostering networking with Pune's vibrant entrepreneurial community. Within the first couple of days the delegation had gained a strong understanding of Pune's dynamic business environment and the significant potential for enhancing UK-India partnerships.
Next Steps: Continued Growth and Collaboration
This visit marks the first of two phases in the DIATOMIC India programme, with the current leg in New Delhi. Delhi, alongside Pune, is recognised as a critical hub for technology, automotive, and energy innovation. Insights gained from this visits will further strengthen the partnership between the West Midlands and India, paving the way for new collaborations across a variety of industries.
In Delhi, the group engaged with leading professors from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) at the Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART), focusing on electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage research. The group also participated in the UK-India Technology Futures Conference, where India’s Hon’ble Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the immense potential for collaboration between the two nations in sectors such as AI, telemedicine, climate modelling, and precision agriculture.
The DIATOMIC India visit concluded on Friday, November 22nd, with a visit to Tata Power. The DIATOMIC delegation was hosted by Dr. Ganesh Das, Chief Operating Officer of the Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC), a joint venture of the Indian government and Tata Trusts. Dr. Das also leads collaborations and the Smart Grid Lab at Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, a Tata Power Limited joint venture.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening UK-India Partnerships
As the DIATOMIC India Global Accelerator continues its journey, the delegation remains committed to fostering long-term partnerships between UK and Indian businesses. These collaborations will drive mutual economic growth, innovation, and knowledge exchange across a range of sectors. The group are visiting Pune and Delhi again in February 2025.
About the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator:
The DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator is an initiative funded by Innovate UK and managed by the West Midlands Combined Authority to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the West Midlands. Through its tailored acceleration programme, DIATOMIC aims to help businesses scale, innovate, and compete on the global stage.
Contact for Further Information:
Sunny Claire, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
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