Are you developing cutting-edge AI, data, or digital solutions that could transform how the UK delivers one of the world’s largest infrastructure projects? Join us for the HS2 Accelerator 8.0 Launch Webinar, where we’ll introduce the latest open call and guide you through the application process.

This session will give you:

• An overview of the programme structure, stages, and expectations.
• A walkthrough of the application form, timelines, and scoring criteria.
• Insights into this cohort’s challenge themes: Data-Led Safety Management, Improving Value for Money, and Streamlining Digital Engineering.
• An introduction to the programme partners — High Speed Two Ltd (HS2) and Connected Places Catapult (CPC).
• A live Q&A with the programme team to answer your questions.
• A recording will be made available to all registrants after the event.

About the Programme

The HS2 Accelerator, delivered by HS2 Ltd in partnership with Connected Places Catapult and supported by the Department for Transport, helps ambitious SMEs bring cutting-edge digital, data and AI solutions into one of the world’s largest infrastructure projects.

For its eighth iteration, the programme is taking a multi-phased approach to create more showcasing, validation, and networking opportunities at every stage:

• Phase One (Explore): Up to 36 SMEs will spend 4 weeks engaging with HS2 challenge sponsors and user groups to rapidly explore the problem space and shape strong proposals.
• Phase Two (Demonstrate): Up to 12 finalists will each receive £5,000 to build a small-scale demonstrator using real HS2 data.
• Phase Three (Accelerate): Up to 6 winners will receive up to £50,000 each* and 12 weeks of bespoke technical, commercial, and investment support to scale their demonstrators into trial projects with HS2.
  (*subject to HS2 approvals via its internal innovation gateway.)

Since its launch in 2020, the HS2 Accelerator has supported 37 pioneering tech firms, leading to:

• 33 funded pilot projects delivered across HS2.
• £300M+ cost savings identified across the programme baseline.
• £240M raised in private equity by participating SMEs.
• 580+ new jobs created.
• Over 40% of SMEs adopted more widely across the supply chain.

This is your chance to join the next wave of innovators transforming how the UK delivers major infrastructure projects.

To find out more about the programme, visit the opportunity page.

If you have any question please contact: Jasmine.pollock@cp.catapult.org.uk