Deadline Date: March 13, 2026
The Southwest Wales Net Zero Industry Launchpad is inviting private and public sector organisations to submit challenges that could benefit or impact the Southwest Wales region.
The focus areas for this opportunity include keeping recycled curbside resources in Wales, circular economy and recycling in the Celtic Sea FLOW supply chain, retention and recycling of industrial waste products in Southwest Wales, retention of resources related to industrial by-products and scrap, and net zero energy solutions related to the circular economy and recycling.
The initiative is part of a pilot competition using the Innovate UK Business Connect Innovation Exchange (iX) platform to support challenges that accelerate the adoption of industrial circular economy, net zero, or decarbonisation innovations. Successful challenges will be hosted on the iX portal, allowing Innovate UK, Net Zero Industry Wales, and Innovate UK Business Connect to assist in finding potential solutions. Once a suitable solution provider is identified, they will receive grant funding of up to £25,000 to deliver a project that addresses the challenge.
The competition is open to organisations either based in or impacting Southwest Wales, including Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, and Neath Port Talbot. Challenge holders will be matched with innovative solution providers to collaboratively develop projects that impact or benefit the region. Funding will be directed to the solution provider, who will test the viability of their proposed solution.
Eligibility requires that organisations be UK-registered small, medium, or large enterprises. All Challenge Holder forms must be submitted by 13 March 2026 to be considered. Assessment will be conducted by Innovate UK Business Connect staff with relevant sector experience, using a portfolio-based approach to select a range of projects across different themes, technologies, and market sectors. Decisions regarding challenge selection or funding are final and feedback will not be provided for unsuccessful applications.
For more information, visit Innovate UK.
