Articles & Blogs

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West Midlands innovators explore smart city export opportunities

Technology firms from Birmingham and the surrounding area with smart city innovations were invited to Barcelona to pitch their solutions to an international gathering of city leaders in November, to identify new export opportunities. We hear from two companies who made the trip to Spain: Tenants Hub and Purple Transform.

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Multi-year contract for firm behind new airport digital assistant

Hello Lamp Post – an SME supported on four Connected Places Catapult programmes – has successfully expanded its focus from cities to railways and now aviation, by landing a multi-year contract with a trio of airports (Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton) owned and operated by AGS Airports.

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‘Make your first impression count’ SMEs seeking finance urged

Angel investment matchmaker Luke Pulford encourages small business owners to put themselves in the shoes of investors when looking for support.

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I3P re-shapes community of practice to drive sector wide impact

The Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership (i3P) recently brought together client organisations and supply chain members to shape the future direction of its three Community of Practices (CoP): Low carbon technology, Safety and Circular economy.

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Pivot! Experts advise TRIG innovators

Forty innovative businesses welcomed onto the latest round of the Transport Research and Innovation Grants programme met in the East Midlands to receive guidance from sector leaders and meet their cohort fellows.

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i3P annual Forum 2025 – a turning point for UK infrastructure delivery

The 2025 i3P annual forum brought the sector together for a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation about the future of UK infrastructure.

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Wind propelled shipping system advanced by Catapult-backed programme

New production facility for ‘rotor sails’ opens, as the next iteration of technology created by a British SME is taken forward.

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Leading regions and high-potential SMEs out in force for smart cities expo

Barcelona welcomed delegates to Europe’s largest urban innovation exhibition, Smart City Expo World Congress 2025, and Connected Places Catapult hosted partners at the UK Pavilion, packed with forward-thinking place leaders and high-potential businesses.

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Transforming UK public procurement in the post-Brexit era

Public procurement under the Procurement Act 2023 aims to drive innovation and social value through flexible, strategic practices. This brief outlines key lessons for effective implementation.

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Flying boat promises cleaner and smoother passenger journeys

Less energy will be required to propel a ferry through rough seas using technology that lifts a vessel out of the water at high speed.

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Meet the academic matchmaking researchers with industry

Dr Kristina Parry heads up the Innovation Launchpad Network+ to bring leading minds closer to the Catapult Network.

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Drone solutions provider powering infrastructure inspection secures major contract and investment

Autonomous aerial solutions specialist sees.ai – a participant in Connected Places Catapult’s Drone Pathfinder programme – has won a contract with National Grid to autonomously inspect live power lines, and has just raised £3.65m in venture capital to further develop its technology.

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Strategic development of data sharing infrastructure urged to help unlock UK growth

Leaders from Government, industry and academia came together at a roundtable in Westminster in October convened by Connected Places Catapult.

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Meet the innovator mapping safer bike routes through cities

French entrepreneur Garance Locatelli is making city cycle networks easier to navigate with a subway-inspired wayfinding system.

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“Convince me your solution is the solution” advises hydrogen company investor

Venture capital firm Mercia Ventures has thrown its support behind early stage company ULEMCo as part of a £5m raise.

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Better, faster, more integrated planning : experts speak up

Big names addressed a built environment showcase exploring how digital transformation, integrated systems thinking, and cross-sector collaboration can enable better spatial planning and help Government meet its 1.5m homes target in a manner that better considers transport, infrastructure and sustainability goals.