New government program gives Australian cleantech and agtech companies a roadmap to India’s booming $300 billion technology sectors.
Australian cleantech and agtech companies are getting a government-backed pathway into India’s massive technology boom, as a new national initiative targets what could be the business opportunity of the decade.
The Australia–India Tech Connections Program, funded through the Australian Government’s Maitri Grant Program and delivered by Asialink Business, promises to arm Australian firms with the tools they need to crack India’s rapidly expanding innovation economy.
The numbers alone are staggering. India’s cleantech and agtech sectors are forecast to have a combined market value exceeding A$300 billion by 2030, driven by the country’s ambitious renewable energy targets, infrastructure modernisation, and net-zero commitments. The agtech sector is set to explode as demand surges for precision farming, digital agriculture, and sustainable food systems.
For Australian businesses, it represents an unprecedented opportunity, but one that’s historically been difficult to access.
“Australia is a global leader in cleantech and agtech, but businesses often find it challenging to enter the Indian market due to limited market knowledge and local engagement,” said Leigh Howard, CEO of Asialink Business.
“This initiative gives Australian firms the insights and tools to engage with confidence in one of the world’s most exciting and high-growth innovation ecosystems.”
What’s on offer
Rolling out across 2025, the program takes a comprehensive approach to market entry support. Companies will get step-by-step market entry playbooks specifically tailored to Australian cleantech and agtech firms, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in the Indian market.
Training modules will build India engagement capability across entire teams, ensuring businesses have the internal expertise to sustain long-term relationships. A tech showcase in India will raise awareness of Australian innovation among potential partners and customers.
Strategic industry engagement will ensure the program remains business-led and outcomes-focused, with real-world application driving decision-making.
The program launches in August 2025 and will be led by Robert Law, Director of Advisory & Insights at Asialink Business.
The bigger picture
This tech-focused initiative sits within the broader 2024-25 Maitri Grant Program, which has been expanded with a total of $5 million available to support projects that strengthen the Australia-India relationship across multiple sectors.
The grant program operates across four strategic pillars designed to deepen bilateral ties: acting as a catalyst for business, promoting public discourse, engaging Indian diaspora communities, and facilitating cultural connections and exchange.
For business engagement specifically, the program focuses on supporting research that helps Australian companies access and understand market opportunities in India. Priority areas include accelerating commercialisation of research, showcasing innovative collaboration opportunities, investigating new engagement strategies, and disseminating case studies and regulatory analysis.
Who can apply
Applications can come from businesses, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, or other entities, either individually or as part of a consortium. While applicant organisations can originate from any country, they must be able to operate in Australia.
Organizations need to meet DFAT’s due diligence requirements, including ABN registration with a business or other recognised registration body, clean sanctions list checks across multiple international bodies, and passing background criminal and reputational checks.
The program also supports projects across other key areas including policy discourse enhancement, diaspora engagement initiatives, and cultural connections that could include First Nations engagement through promoting First Nations art and culture in India.
All applications must demonstrate alignment with the Centre’s pillars and intended outcomes, show effective and efficient delivery capability, and outline how they’ll deliver sustainable outcomes beyond the grant period.
Applications are assessed not just on merit but also compared against each other to ensure value for money and diversity in project spread.
Application timeline
The 2024-25 Maitri Grant Program applications have now closed, but the timeline provides insight into how future rounds might operate:
Applications opened on 25 September 2024, with concept notes due by 04 November 2024 at 5:00pm AEDT. Successful proposals were selected and moved to due diligence and contracting in December 2024/January 2025, with implementation beginning in April 2025.
For questions about future opportunities, interested parties can contact MaitriGrants@dfat.gov.au.
- 2024-25 Maitri Grant Recipients
- 2023-24 Maitri Cultural Partnership Grant Recipients
- 2022-23 Maitri Cultural Partnerships Grant Recipients
- 2023-24 Maitri Research Grant Recipients
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