News

Advanced Construction Accelerator launched today for SMEs in construction domain

A construction worker in a hard hat and safety vest uses a tablet to view plans at a construction site with scaffolding and workers in the background.

Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation agency for transport and the built environment has launched a brand-new accelerator programme for SMEs with disruptive solutions in the construction domain.

The Advanced Construction Accelerator will address challenges in the construction sector and help SMEs with innovative solutions to scale. Ten SMEs will join a six month programme where they will receive support from a consortium of industry partners. The consortium which is led by Connected Places Catapult includes programme sponsors Ferrovial Construction and Ibstock plc.

Industry partners will play an active role in challenge setting, SME selection and product validation and provide access to testing facilities and internal expertise.

One of the main programme aims is to maximise commercial engagement, so selected SMEs will actively explore trial opportunities as part of the programme.

Connected Places Catapult will be delivering the programme in partnership with Startup Discovery School who will support the SMEs through a bespoke programme roadmap tailored to their unique business needs – this will include but is not limited to investment readiness, business modelling, customer profiling and enterprise selling.

We are delighted to be launching the Advanced Construction Accelerator Programme. Never has it been more important to innovate the construction sector, and by fostering collaboration with industry partners and disruptive SMEs we believe we can make a lasting impact. That will not only benefit the industry, but also wider society. I’m looking forward to seeing what types of innovations and technologies we see as part of the application process.
Erin Walsh, Director of Built Environment at Connected Places Catapult

The Accelerator is designed to explore specific challenges set by industry and will seek SMEs with products and services which can clearly address these. These challenges will fall within the three main programme themes of:

  • Streamlined Operations –  Innovations that improve the delivery process of construction projects, enabling better outcomes for both clients and suppliers.
  • Carbon reduction – Innovations that support greener operation and delivery of construction projects within the UK and which align to the government’s Net Zero ambitions. 
  • Digital Future - Innovations that facilitate the transition to a digital future of construction. The digital future of construction will involve the use and application of digital tools that make the delivery, operation and renewal of our built environment safer, more efficient, and more collaborative.

For more information about the Advanced Construction Accelerator programme and how to apply visit our opportunity page.

Applications close Sunday 21st November 2021

Contact:

Name: Ellie Gyaurova

Position: Accelerator Programme Manager

Email: ellie.gyaurova@cp.catapult.org.uk