International Supply Chain Accelerator: Product Carbon Footprint Measurement – UK

This project aims to support UK technology innovators and startups in identifying and addressing industry challenges to promote greater adoption of carbon accounting.

The Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT) is a global leader in promoting a standardised approach to carbon measurement across supply chains and brings together over 1000 companies to establish a common approach. Sponsored by Unilever and in collaboration with the members of the PACT Technology Working Group, and GS1, this project aims to develop solutions that will demonstrate the business case for carbon accounting for thousands of businesses.

The programme will invite technology innovators from the UK to apply and play a leading role in digital transformation. Digital Catapult will help facilitate and guide partnerships between industry challenge owners and tech innovators, providing funding of up to £125,000 to tackle some of the UK’s most critical sustainability challenges.

This open call aims to promote the wider adoption of carbon accounting in global supply chains. The programme is open to startups and innovators developing digital technology solutions for storing and exchanging product carbon footprints (PCFs) effectively. As part of their solution, tech innovators and startup solutions should utilise some of the cutting-edge digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, and advanced identity solutions.

Why should you get involved?

• Collaborate with technology and subject matter experts from Digital Catapult, industrial bodies representatives, industry challenge owners and tech sponsors who will support the development of the participants’ solutions/MVPs.
• Upon successful completion of the project, the participant will have the opportunity to join the future digital supply chain hub and connect with the wider supply chain ecosystem and build further collaboration opportunities.
• Opportunity to participate in the programme networking events, roundtables and introductions to industry leaders, investors and potential customers.
• One-to-one pitching sessions with a coach to support each company to practise, build the narrative and script for the final showcase event.
• Be part of the programme showcase event in March 2025 to present your solution in front of investors and supply chain industry stakeholders.

Requirements

Applicants must ensure to comply with the following requirements:

• Applicants must be eligible to receive £115,000 in state assistance.
• We expect a minimum Co-investment of £125,000 from solution providers/grant recipients. There are various categories of co-investment which can be considered. The co-investments covers the value for money and cost to deliver the technology solutions. You can find further information on what co-investment we are looking for in the programme FAQs.
• Applicants must have a UK business bank account for any payments to be made.
• Applicants must be a UK based registered company, or prove they have an establishment in the UK and undertake the majority of the activity in the UK.
• Applicants must be considered as either an early-stage company or scale up business with a proposed solution/ product/ service at the technology readiness level 4-5 (TRL 4-5).
• Build an MVP against the chosen industrial challenge working together with the industry challenge owner, industry body and tech sponsor.

For more information, visit Digital Catapult.