TRIG Showcase & networking event
Event finished: 20th May 2025
When and where?
10:30am - 5:00pm
Tickets
The Department for Transport (DfT), in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, offers Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) to fully fund proof-of-concept research projects in support of innovative ideas or concepts that facilitate a better transport system.
The Programme has been committed to:
- Fostering innovation to improve UK transport.
- Generating growth in the transport sector.
- Building links between policy teams in DfT and innovators.
We would be delighted if you could join us for the TRIG Showcase & Networking event on Tuesday 20 May 2025. The showcase will consist of panel sessions and presentations and will be an opportunity for industry stakeholders to learn about a wide range of TRIG innovators addressing a range of transport challenges such as:
- Local Transport Decarbonisation
- Maritime Decarbonisation
- Emerging Technologies
- Open Call
This year the event will take place in Leeds.
To find out more about TRIG, please visit TRIG Programme
If you have any questions, please contact trig@cp.catapult.org.uk
Agenda
Registration, Exhibition & Networking
Kick off the day by connecting with innovators, DfT Policy leaders, as well as government and industry players. Register, grab a coffee (or two) and and explore the exciting projects from our cohort and our alumni community in the showcase and pitching area.
Learn more about the innovative companies showcasing their work here.
Welcome & Opening Speeches
Hear from Connected Places Catapult and Department for Transport to get the inside scoop on the latest developments and future plans of the TRIG programme.
TRIG Advisory Board Panel Discussion
Hear from the newly appointed advisory board, about their ambition and their extensive experience in driving innovation across the transport industry.
Networking Lunch & Exhibition
Fuel up and connect! Over lunch, meet the innovators shaping the future of transport and hear more about their TRIG projects.
Learn more about the innovative companies showcasing their work here.
Keynote: Inclusivity & Accessibility in Transport
In this powerful session, hear from James Lee a leading advocate for accessibility and inclusivity in transport, a person who experiences the challenges firsthand every day. This speech will not only highlight the barriers faced but also inspire actionable solutions for a more accessible and inclusive future in transport.
- James Lee, Director, Publica
Driving Targeted Innovation in Scotland
This panel brings together voices from across Scotland’s innovation landscape featuring perspectives from a small business, a university, government bodies and industry leaders. Together, they’ll explore how targeted innovation is being driven across the transport sector to address local challenges and support national priorities to reduces Inequalities, Takes Climate Action, Helps Deliver Inclusive Economic Growth and Improves Health and Wellbeing of its population.
The session will highlight:
How place-based needs are shaping innovation strategies
The role of collaboration across academia, public sector, and business
Successes and lessons learned from real-world projects in Scotland
Join us to hear how these different actors are working together to turn ambition into action.
- Iona Chandler, Partnership Manager, UrbanTide
- George Gillespie , Executive Director - Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability, Glasgow City Council
- Enrico Tubaldi, Reader in Structural Engineering, University of Strathclyde
- Keith Fisken, Partnerships Manager, Sestran
Pitching, Showcasing & Funding Competition Surgery
This dynamic session combines live pitching, project showcases, and expert advice to apply for future funding competitions. Whether you're looking to create partnerships, hear about inspiring innovation or explore funding opportunities, our panel of experts will provide tailored insights to help you succeed. Refreshments will also be available.
Learn more about the innovative companies showcasing their work here.
TRIG Success Stories Panel
This panel shines a spotlight on the achievements of our current and past cohorts innovators. Hear directly from their leaders and from the organisation who helped them take their vision to the next stage: investors, clients, and partners .
Through their stories, we’ll explore what drives success, the value of collaboration, and the role the TRIG programme played.
- Dorian Isaacson, Founder, Streetwise Technology
- Nelly Laviell, Investment Principal, Bethnal Green Venture
- Sven Koster, Head of New Business Development and Innovation, Go Media
- Jinning Zhang , Lecturer - University of Leicester
CSA Awards
The TRIG Programme recognises the importance of celebrating success by honouring projects from each cohort that have shown significant impact, inspiration, and growth throughout their 6-month delivery period. The CSA Award will be delivered by Professor Sarah Sharples, Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport
- Professor Sarah Sharples, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Transport
Closing Remarks
