Connected Places Catapult, the UK's innovation accelerator for transport, construction and infrastructure, has named the five businesses selected for the Scale Up Support Programme: Transport and Construction.  

Composite Braiding, Luthmore, RAD, RenKap and Zenion are developing solutions for challenges in areas ranging from advanced manufacturing and low carbon heating to marine propulsion, construction site surveys, and electric mobility.  

Over the next six months, the Innovate UK funded pilot will provide these businesses with bespoke support from experts at the Catapult and its network of specialists. This support will be shaped around each business’ needs and priorities and will include investment readiness, coaching on leadership, team structuring, growth planning and sales. The cohort will also meet venture capital, strategic and international investors whose interests match their growth plans. Early sessions with investors will offer direct feedback, while a dedicated investor access event towards the end of the support will give the businesses as opportunity to access capital.  

Meet the five scale-ups 

Composite Braiding has developed a patented, highly automated manufacturing process for producing hollow structural composite products including beams, poles and tubes. The technology is designed to enable faster, repeatable and higher-volume manufacturing, with company data evidencing a reduction in production time from hours to minutes and energy consumption by more than 95%. At high volumes, the company believes scrap rates can be below 1%, while recyclable thermoplastic resins and production waste can be reused within the process. 

Luthmore is developing a compact, zero-emission alternative to the domestic gas combi boiler. Using lithium iron phosphate battery technology, its system provides instantaneous hot water and central heating while being designed to fit within the same space and infrastructure as a conventional combi boiler. The hardware is supported by an app, cloud connectivity and data intelligence. 

RAD develops electric propulsion, vessel integration and autonomy technology for defence, commercial and leisure marine applications. Its portfolio spans electric outboards, drive-by-wire control and Axon - an integrated platform linking propulsion, energy, navigation and third-party systems - enabling connected, autonomy-ready vessels 

RenKap is transforming the way technical site surveys are procured and managed for construction projects. Its digital marketplace allows clients to upload a site and receive comparable quotes from vetted SME surveyors across areas including ecology, asbestos, topography, utilities and contamination. Survey findings are brought together within a digital Risk Register, helping clients understand identified risks, recommended actions and associated costs.  

Zenion provides an integrated electric mobility service for last-mile delivery riders. Through a zero-deposit subscription, riders receive an electric motorcycle alongside insurance, maintenance, rider support and access to Zenion’s proprietary battery-swapping network. Its technology platform brings together customer onboarding, billing, telematics, compliance, workshop operations and battery swapping, helping riders transition from petrol to electric transport.  

“This programme has come along at exactly the right time for Zenion as we prepare to raise our Series A, to scale from a bootstrapped start-up into a company making a real difference in cities across Europe.  The combination of warm introductions, to investors and industry experts, plus a deep critique of our investor readiness and materials, will certainly increase our chances of closing the round and entering the next stage of our expansion as a company.”  

Richard Jordan, Founder and Managing Director of Zenion

"These businesses have developed solutions with real market potential, some with the support of the Catapult, and proven they can solve important challenges across transport, construction and infrastructure. The next step is turning that potential into commercial growth, which is where this programme will deliver bespoke support.  

“Through the scale-up programme, we'll help founders with direct introductions to finance providers and investors for access to scale capital. We’ll also connect them with growth specialists who can help them tackle the challenges that often hold businesses back from scaling. Over the next six months, we'll work closely with each company to strengthen their growth plans, open up new opportunities and help accelerate their path to market.”

Alex Weedon, Enterprise Innovation Director at Connected Places Catapult

Follow the cohort’s journey 

Over the coming months, we'll share the stories, lessons and milestones from Composite Braiding, Luthmore, RAD, RenKap, and Zenion as they scale their businesses. 

Whether you're an SME looking to grow or an investor seeking emerging opportunities, sign up for updates and hear directly from the founders shaping the future of transport, construction and infrastructure.