£50K Clean Futures Accelerator Program – UK

The West Midlands has huge potential to drive jobs and growth through harnessing the power of innovation. As identified in the West Midlands Plan for Growth, the region is the centre for key growth clusters for advanced manufacturing and home to the ‘Green Industrial Revolution’.

Clean Futures is supporting the West Midlands’ transport sector as it transitions away from fossil fuels towards clean tech and driving economic growth in the region by accelerating the route to market for SMEs in the sector. The programme is being led by Connected Places Catapult alongside partners: the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation, Coventry University and Coventry University Services Limited.

Now in its second year, 20 SMEs will be selected to join a 6-month, challenge-led accelerator where they will receive up to £50K to trial their solution which must be matched in-kind (e.g. labour time / materials.) The challenges in the accelerator are built around rail and automotive manufacturing, along with related supply chains. The accelerator also provides bespoke technical and commercial support as well as networking and showcasing events to connect the SMEs with industry and financial partners.

Challenges

• Challenge 1 | Clean and Efficient Vehicle Manufacturing and Assembly
  • The focus areas of this challenge are as follows.
    • Minimising scope 3 emissions in the production of sustainable vehicles
    • Improving the integration of sustainable vehicles into the circular economy
    • Addressing a major barrier in the adoption of clean transport technologies: the cost of acquisition and operation.
  • Under this challenge, they are inviting applicants to propose innovations in the manufacturing processes of electric vehicles (EVs), ranging from micro-mobility solutions and traditional road vehicles to public transport and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). They are also encouraging applications to improve repurposing, recycling and second life of EV components, such as batteries. In addition, this challenge will facilitate the transition of traditional manufacturing and supply chains in the West Midlands towards the electric vehicle sector. Particularly, companies engaged in the production of components for conventional transportation systems are well-positioned to tackle this challenge by adapting their processes, or by opting for alternative materials or components.
• Challenge 2 | Design or production of cost-effective solutions for a clean transportation infrastructure
  • Under challenge 2, the objective is to contribute to the development of mass rail-based transit systems that are accessible to everyone, fostering a unified public transport network that is clean, reliable and sustainable. The aspiration is to reduce air pollution and emissions, enhance connectivity, and position the West Midlands as a leader in mass transit systems, showcasing the innovations on a national scale.
  • They are seeking rail solutions that either introduce a brand-new infrastructure approach or centre on retrofitting existing infrastructures to make them greener. For new approaches, a key success factor should lie in enhancing affordability, with (for example) an aim to keep construction costs for Very Light Rail below £10 million per kilometre of track. In the case of refurbishment and maintenance of existing infrastructure, sustainability is paramount, and projects should demonstrate a clear pathway towards net zero while presenting a significant commercial opportunity.
• Challenge 3 | Future Fuels: Produce, transport, or store alternative fuels such as hydrogen or biofuels
  • As the transition to electrification progresses, alternative sustainable fuels remain a pertinent choice for specific uses. For instance, in scenarios such as rural transportation and agri-tech, where long distances and sparse charging infrastructure pose challenges, alternative fuels like hydrogen or biofuels become particularly relevant. Furthermore, biofuels offer the added advantage of reducing the impact of waste from crops that would otherwise decompose into methane. They are in search of applicants that are actively involved in the production, transportation, or storage of biofuels or hydrogen within the West Midlands. These efforts should aim to make alternative fuels readily available to end-users, thereby supporting the region’s sustainable energy ecosystem.
• Challenge 4 | Open Challenge
  • The Open Challenge is designed to foster a wide array of sustainable solutions that support the collective vision for a greener future. Beyond the accelerator’s main three challenges, the Clean Futures programme welcomes applications which contribute to sustainable transport and clean manufacturing in general. They encourage applications from innovators dedicated to developing sustainable innovations that will yield significant advantages for the West Midlands, and those currently located or operating within the region will be prioritised.

What’s on offer to SMEs?

• Up to £50K in trial funding which must be matched in-kind (e.g. labour time)
• Collaboration with industry leaders
• Bespoke coaching and mentoring
• Support from the consortium of mentors and technical experts
• Access to technical experts
• Tailored business support
• Introductions to investors and customers
• Access to the Clean Futures Catalyst, bringing together the wider West Midlands transport community
• Showcase events

Am I eligible for this programme?

• Required:
  • A UK company address
  • An innovative technology or solution with a Technology Readiness Level of 5 or above
  • Demonstratable alignment to one of the challenges being addressed by this programme
  • The ability to travel for face-to-face meetings and events in the West Midlands
  • Development, testing and/or demonstration of your solution is feasible using the BCIMO or Coventry University test site facilities
  • In-kind match funding contribution of £50k (e.g labour, materials)
  • Solution must have demonstrable impact within the West Midlands
• Desired:
  • Existing operational presence in the West Midlands.

For more information, visit Connected Places Catapult.