ADB Brief How the Technology Innovation Challenge Opens the Door to New Solutions evaluates the impact of the Technology Innovation Challenge (TIC), a specialised modality established to support high-fidelity proof-of-concept projects across Asia and the Pacific. Funded by the High-Level Technology Fund with $4.5 million, the TIC acts as a primary mechanic for de-risking the adoption of innovative technologies in energy, transport, and urban development transport, and healthy oceans.
Between 2019 and 2025, the program supported 11 pilot projects, providing real-world testing conditions that allow Developing Member Countries (DMCs) to build evidence for broader adoption. A notable project in India involved a consortium led by IIT Bombay to improve the security of door-to-door public transport, specifically targeting the safety of women and girls during first- and last-mile connectivity.
By requiring a minimum 10% co-investment from technology providers, the TIC helps catalyse private investment and supports the development of local innovation ecosystems, with a focus on scalability and resilience.
Key Pillars of the TIC Framework
De-risking Pilot Projects: Offering grants of up to $450,000 for 12–18 month pilots to lower market-entry risks for novel technologies.
Sectoral Diversification: Expanding innovation beyond energy to include "healthy oceans," inclusive urban planning, and security in transport systems.
Evidence-Based Scaling: Utilizing independent verification and strengthened monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to identify solutions with the highest potential for national scale-up.
Strategic Partnerships: Enabling ADB to partner with academic leaders like IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur, alongside private entities and international research labs.
Incubator Capability: Acting as a primary mechanic for accelerating untapped technology providers and integrating them into regional development strategies.
Operational Flexibility: Adapting project timelines and fostering intersectoral collaboration to share successful solutions across different countries.
What is the "Technology Innovation Challenge" (TIC)? The TIC is a unique ADB modality designed to bridge the gap between emerging technology and large-scale development projects. It operates on the mechanical theory of "Rapid Deployment and Testing"; by providing strategic grant funding for real-world pilots, it acts as a primary mechanic for determining the technical and commercial viability of a solution before a DMC commits to large-scale lending. This is a functional prerequisite for modern development planning, as it ensures that high-fidelity technologies—such as safety-rating apps for public transport—are mechanically verified for sustainability and cultural fit. The TIC allows technology providers to validate their innovations under challenging market conditions, providing the necessary evidence to inform policy and future infrastructure investments.
Policy Relevance: Enhancing Urban Safety and Tech Adoption in India
Operationalising "Safe Cities": The TIC-funded transport project serves as a primary mechanic for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to deploy AI and data-driven safety ratings for public transit transfer points.
Internalising Academic R&D: Partnering with IIT Bombay and BITS Pilani provides a functional framework for the Department of Science & Technology to commercialize academic research into scalable public services.
Bypassing Last-Mile Insecurity: Developing secure paratransit pairing and distress speed-dialing systems is a prerequisite for ensuring that "Smart Cities" are inclusive and safe for women and girls.
Link to Digital India: Leveraging high-fidelity location data and safety apps is a foundational step in building a resilient urban transport grid that encourages public transit usage over private vehicles.
Follow the Full Brief Here: ADB Brief 382: Technology Innovation Challenge – New Solutions for Development
