Urban Innovation Lab

What Urban Innovation Lab does

Urban Innovation Lab (legal entity UIL Innovate Urban Private Limited) is an India-based infrastructure advisory consulting firm headquartered in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The firm advises governments, multilateral development agencies, corporate foundations, and select private-sector clients on the full lifecycle of complex urban infrastructure programs — spanning policy formulation, institutional strengthening, program design, feasibility studies, detailed project report (DPR) preparation, PPP/transaction advisory, procurement support, implementation supervision, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building. Its sector coverage spans urban development, regional development, housing and real estate, transport and mobility, energy, environment, health, and education.

The firm has no proprietary technology platform; its core capability resides in advisory methodologies, analytical frameworks, and domain expertise embodied in its senior professionals. Founder & CEO Ram Khandelwal brings 15+ years of infrastructure advisory experience from PwC, IPE Global, ICF International, and CRISIL, with advanced credentials from CEPT University, IMT Ghaziabad, and School of Planning and Architecture. Co-founder Aditi Khandelwal leads strategic communications, procurement support, partnerships, and business development. The firm supplements its lean permanent team through a structured Consultant Empanelment Program that engages domain specialists for project-based roles.

Revenue is generated through fee-for-service consulting engagements negotiated on a per-project basis, with no publicly disclosed pricing. Clients engage UIL via competitive consulting tenders, direct appointments, and referrals from multilateral and development finance institutions. Named clients include GIZ, KfW Development Bank, ECORYS UK, AFD, IRD, World Bank, UN-Habitat, Tata Steel Foundation, HCL Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature India, MPHIDB, CRDF, Licious Foods, and Samhi Hotels. The firm has also begun productizing select capabilities into knowledge assets, including a 48-page Indore MSWM Industry Outlook report and the Swachh Yodha educational game prototype co-conceived with ADB/MoHUA.

Name

Urban Innovation Lab

Legal name

UIL Innovate Urban Private Limited

Website

https://innovateurban.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Urban Innovation Lab is an India-based infrastructure advisory consulting firm that helps governments, multilateral agencies, and corporate foundations plan, structure, and implement complex urban infrastructure programs through policy advisory, feasibility studies, PPP structuring, and strategic communications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrastructure Advisory & Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Engineering Services (541330), Engineering Services (54133), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Programs (Digital Planning, Civic Tech for Cities) (BPAIANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA), Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

Keywords

• Infrastructure advisory services
• Urban consulting
• PPP transaction advisory
• Policy advisory consulting
• Development sector consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Bhopal

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&amp, D, Others

Revenue model

1. Infrastructure Advisory Consulting: The firm earns revenue through fee-for-service consulting engagements with governments, multilateral agencies, development banks, and private sector clients. Assignments span project feasibility studies, DPR preparation, policy advisory, program design, M&E frameworks, strategic communications, digital campaigns, and video production. Engagements are project-based with defined scopes and deliverables.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Urban Innovation Lab is a Bhopal- and Indore-based advisory firm that provides end-to-end infrastructure and urban development consulting services to government institutions, multilateral agencies, and corporate foundations. Its offerings span the full lifecycle of public infrastructure programs—from policy and institutional advisory, program design, and project feasibility, through planning, design, and engineering support, to project management, transaction advisory, and capacity building. The firm also produces knowledge products such as industry outlook reports and educational games for the development sector.

Product overview

Urban Innovation Lab (UIL) operates as a strategic infrastructure advisory firm, not a unified software product platform. The company provides consulting services across urban development, energy, transport, environment, health, education, and finance sectors. Its portfolio comprises advisory services (policy and strategic planning, project development and implementation, capacity building) and knowledge products (the Indore MSWM Industry Outlook report, Swachh Yodha educational game). Services are delivered through consulting engagements, empaneled consultants, and structured programs for governments, multilaterals, and development partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Swachh Yodha: An eco-champion game prototype for grades 9-12 aligned with Swachh Bharat Mission, focused on waste segregation education.

Products and services

• Policy, Programs & Strategic Planning Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Digital climate resilience campaign achieved 21,833 likes, 39,015 views, 88,321 impressions, and 45 comments across LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ECORYS UK LIMITED (India UK ECOP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 November 2024UIL serves as Urban PPP Expert for the India UK Economic Cooperation Programme (November 2024–January 2027), contributing to evidence-based assessments, financial modelling, and structured reporting to strengthen urban infrastructure PPP frameworks at national, state, and city levels.
• French National Institute for Sustainable Research Development (IRD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Under the CITIIS programme (AFD/MoHUA), UIL supported IRD's research initiative examining Smart Cities Mission implementation. UIL synthesized two-day workshop deliberations (30+ participants) into a 25–30 page dissemination-ready report covering urban governance, institutional frameworks, project management, capacity building, and innovation.
• Samhi Hotels LimitedminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 April 2024UIL conducted Environmental Due Diligence for Samhi Hotels' proposed development site in Whitefield, Bengaluru. Deliverables included historical land use analysis, zoning compliance verification, soil quality assessment, and a consolidated EDD report completed May 2024.
• GIZ India (TUEWAS Consortium)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024UIL conducted a pioneering baseline study on blockchain, AI, and IoT applications in disaster management under GIZ India's TUEWAS initiative. Reviewed 50+ global case studies and 120+ research papers, engaged 20+ IT firms, and formulated a blockchain integration framework for Indian urban systems. Findings presented in a webinar to 50+ government officials.
• GIZ – Fachverbund TUEWAS (Gender Mainstreaming)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024UIL developed a Gender-Inclusive Governance Criteria Framework for water management institutions, reviewed six case studies from India, Central Asia, and Bangladesh, and produced a policy gap analysis and institutional reform roadmap for gender mainstreaming in water governance.
• CEPT Research & Development Foundation (CRDF)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Appointed by CRDF to conduct a comprehensive research study on urban wastewater reuse in Maharashtra. The study assessed policy/regulatory ecosystems, reuse potential, implementation barriers, and developed a ₹19,000 crore capital investment roadmap to increase reuse from 4% to 40%.
• KfW Development BankcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024UIL produced a 5–6 minute commemorative film for KfW's 75th anniversary in India, showcasing Indo-German development cooperation across energy, urban development, mobility, and natural resources. Curated 100+ images and 30+ video clips, conducted interviews with KfW Group Board member, and delivered production across pre-production, filming, and post-production phases.
• Madhya Pradesh Housing & Infrastructure Development Board (MPHIDB)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024UIL prepared a 5-year Vision Document for MPHIDB targeting ₹10,000 crore annual turnover, and separately delivered PR & Social Media Management services (through CEDMAP appointment) including 10–15 newspaper stories per month and multi-platform digital management.
• World Wide Fund for Nature India (WWF India)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 July 2023UIL managed technical planning and implementation of WWF India's 'Building Climate Resilience in Cities' digital campaign (17–24 July 2023). Produced 30 digital assets across LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, achieving 21,833 likes, 39,015 views, and 88,321 impressions.
• Tata Steel FoundationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023UIL conducted comprehensive documentation of Tata Steel Foundation's livelihood management programs in 2023 — the Disha Programme (women's leadership) and integrated livelihood initiatives (WADI Orchard, Pond-Based IFS, Lac, Tasar, Dairy, Watershed) across Jharkhand and Odisha. Delivered over 1,000 pages of professionally designed reports, manuals, and case studies.
• Licious Foods (Delightful Gourmet Private Limited)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023UIL developed Licious Foods' 2023 Sustainability Report aligned with GRI and BRSR frameworks. Conducted materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, and produced a visually engaging ESG report covering environmental, social, and governance dimensions.
• GIZ GmbH (SUDSC II)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2022UIL served as implementation partner for GIZ's Sustainable Urban Development – Smart Cities II project, supporting MoHUA and state governments across Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Assam. Deliverables included an interactive brochure, coffee table book, six state-level booklets, and a visual narrative foldout poster on climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, gender-responsive planning, and inclusive infrastructure.
• HCL FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018UIL has served as Knowledge Partner for the Clean Noida Project since 2018, covering 69 urban villages and numerous RWAs/AoAs. Designed and oversaw the 'Clean Community Challenge' — a city-wide RWA competition. Also delivered environmental remediation DPR for Rabupura (drain, STP, pond) addressing slaughterhouse wastewater contamination.
• World BankminorOthersReferenced as a past client in leadership bios; Ram Khandelwal has consulted for the World Bank on urban development, housing, transport, water, waste management, and PPPs. Nature of engagement is advisory consulting.
• UN-HabitatminorOthersReferenced as a past client in leadership bios; Ram Khandelwal authored articles and reports for UN-Habitat. Nature of engagement is advisory and knowledge product development.
• French Development Agency (AFD)minorOthersReferenced as a past client in leadership bios alongside CITIIS programme work with IRD. Nature of engagement is advisory consulting.
• CEDMAPminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCEDMAP served as the intermediary through which UIL was appointed for the MPHIDB PR & Social Media Management assignment. Acts as a channel partner in project procurement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Deloitte India: Big-4 consultancy with Government & Public Services and Sustainability practices delivering urban, infrastructure and PPP advisory. Direct competitor to UIL on large government tenders and ESG/sustainability reporting engagements.
• Ernst & Young (EY) India: Big-4 consultancy with a Government & Public Sector practice delivering policy, infrastructure and PPP advisory. Comparable to UIL on PPP transaction advisory, sustainability/ESG reporting and urban transformation mandates for state governments and multilaterals in India.
• PwC India: Big-4 advisory with a substantial public sector and infrastructure practice covering PPP, transaction advisory, urban policy and sustainability reporting. Comparable to UIL on multiple service lines but operates at materially larger scale and competes with UIL for the same government and multilateral mandates (UIL founder previously at PwC).
• KPMG India: Big-4 firm with infrastructure advisory, government consulting and sustainability practices covering feasibility, DPR, PPP and ESG reporting. Overlaps with UIL's service portfolio and competes for the same government and multilateral mandates in India.
• CRISIL (a subsidiary of S&P Global): Large Indian ratings, research and infrastructure advisory firm with deep capabilities in PPP structuring, feasibility and infrastructure finance. Comparable to UIL on advisory content (UIL founder previously at CRISIL), but vastly larger and serving a broader financial-services and infrastructure universe.

Direct peers

• IPE Global: India-headquartered development consulting firm delivering policy advisory, program design and M&E for governments, multilaterals and donors. Highly comparable to UIL — overlapping service lines (urban, PPP, governance) and the same client ecosystem (GIZ, World Bank, ADB); UIL's founder held leadership roles at IPE Global.

Emerging players

• Dalberg: Global advisory firm focused on development, climate and inclusive economic growth with strong India presence. Comparable to UIL on mission-driven public sector, urban and sustainability mandates for multilaterals, foundations and governments, though typically engages at a larger scale.

Others

• National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA): Autonomous Indian government body supporting urban policy research, capacity building and program implementation under the Smart Cities Mission and MoHUA. Adjacent to UIL — UIL's multilateral-backed research on Smart Cities governance (IRD engagement) overlaps with NIUA's mandate.
• CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF): Research arm of CEPT University focused on urban, habitat and infrastructure studies. UIL was appointed by CRDF for the Maharashtra wastewater reuse study, making it both a collaborator and a structurally adjacent player on urban policy and applied research mandates.

Regional players

• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI): India-based research and policy think tank with consulting arms working on sustainable urban development, energy, environment and climate resilience for Indian government and international donors. Comparable to UIL on the urban sustainability, climate and policy research dimensions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UrbanInnovate
• Facebookfacebook.com/innovateurban
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innovateurban

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Urban Innovation Lab