In the first of its kind from Digital Catapult, the Build UK - India programme has been designed to partner UK tech startups that are developing net zero solutions for industry, with leading Indian corporations including Tata Steel, Johnson Matthey and Godrej Aerospace.

The startups will work closely with technology and business experts from Digital Catapult, before receiving grant funding of up to £45,000 to build demonstrators in response to challenges set by the industrial partners. 

David Pugh, Head of Sustainability at Digital Catapult commented: “Without the entrepreneurial spirit that exists within innovative small businesses, the global targets set at COP26 will not be met. These four companies represent the leading-edge of UK cleantech startups set to reshape the future of industry by tapping into the power of advanced digital technologies to help large businesses reduce waste, reduce emissions, and reduce harm to the environment. 

"It’s a credit to the industrial partners we’re working with that they are willing to overcome barriers to adoption and work with the startups to positively contribute to the global effort. We can’t wait to see the end result of this unique international collaboration programme.”

With India’s renewed commitment to meet global net zero targets, and on the back of the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy that focuses on clean energy for a green and sustainable future, the four startups typify the innovation required to make strides towards meeting those goals, making them leading examples of cleantech startups to watch in 2022. 

The startups selected are:

Additive Flow - Disrupting the advanced manufacturing sector, Additive Flow focuses on optimising the additive manufacturing process, to help companies achieve their sustainability goals through our repeatable workflows. Previous work has already seen 50% cheaper costs in aerospace components, 35% increase in product efficiency, and accelerated production speed by 50%. Formerly part of Digital Catapult’s Machine Intelligence Garage programme.

Ascalia - Helping manufacturing companies, Ascalia is an integrated end-to-end Industry 4.0 system for factories, giving them process traceability and optimisation, predictive maintenance and AI-enabled quality control. Ascalia has successfully raised more than £1m in funding and is currently raising another £800,000 to support the company’s growth, with Sainsbury’s a key client. Formerly part of Digital Catapult’s Made Smarter Technology Accelerator programme.

Remade Group - Through an innovative trading platform, the Remade Group will be Europe’s first online market place for remanufactured goods providing customers with ethical, environment friendly products that come with quality levels and warranty that match those of new products. Using blockchain technology to verify the history of products, products will retail at 40% below new value with up to 80% saving in energy costs.

Intellegens - With NASA, GKN Aerospace and Rolls-Royce already as clients, Intellegens’ AI toolset, Alchemit, helps scientists and engineers to optimise products and processes while reducing the amount of experimentation time by up to 90%, getting products to market faster and at lower cost. Starting off by designing a novel alloy for aero engines, Intellegens have gone onto drug discovery, batteries, and optimising manufacturing processes.

The programme will conclude with a final showcase in March 2022, where the startups will be able to share their progress with an audience of investors, large business and press before beginning their journey of entering into the Indian market.